Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 Book Review: Emotional. Relatable. A Story Everyone Should Read!
The book follows the story of 33-year-old Kim Ji Young from South Korea who leads a mundane routine that every housewife follows in South Korea
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"Since she became a full-time housewife, she often noticed that there was a polarized attitude regarding domestic labor. Some demeaned it as "bumming around at home," while others glorified it as “work that sustains life,” but none tried to calculate its monetary value. Probably because the moment you put a price on something, someone has to pay." - The author of Kim Ji-young, Born 1982, Cho Nam-ju
Don't worry, this is not a horror-based book. From her childhood to having a child, the book from a third-person perspective devoid of emotions shows a mirror to the world about the discrimination against women in the workplace, during pregnancy and childbirth, working mothers & mothers who stay at home.
As the story progresses, we come to know that Jiyoung is someone's something - a daughter, a mother, a daughter-in-law, a wife, and a sister but not Kim Ji Young as a person. It means that she starts losing her individual identity and becomes more like a commodity. She is just another faceless woman whose existence revolves only around her family, just like the cover book.
Interestingly, the author has also added lots of facts/survey results from South Korea to support her opinion, and to bring authenticity to the issues that she highlights. Though it gives you a reality check about the scenario of gender discrimination in Korea, it is a story of every woman living through it across the world.
One might even say that she is complaining too much or biased but it is the truth and you cannot deny it!
This book is really fierce, spit facts, and a thought-provoking book. And, I feel every woman can find something relatable in this story even in India. Moreover, this book is going to give you a perspective no matter what your gender is. Read it and you’ll understand why?
The book follows the story of 33-year-old Kim Ji Young from South Korea. She used to work at a PR agency but after having a daughter following her marriage, Kim Ji Young quits her job. She leads a mundane routine that every housewife follows in South Korea. Suddenly, Kim Ji Young begins to talk like her mother, her older sister, and her grandmother (who is dead). She seems possessed by other people. This catches the attention of her husband who eventually gets worried. What happens to her is the story that will leave you emotional.
Don't worry, this is not a horror-based book. From her childhood to having a child, the book from a third-person perspective devoid of emotions shows a mirror to the world about the discrimination against women in the workplace, during pregnancy and childbirth, working mothers & mothers who stay at home.
As the story progresses, we come to know that Jiyoung is someone's something - a daughter, a mother, a daughter-in-law, a wife, and a sister but not Kim Ji Young as a person. It means that she starts losing her individual identity and becomes more like a commodity. She is just another faceless woman whose existence revolves only around her family, just like the cover book.
Interestingly, the author has also added lots of facts/survey results from South Korea to support her opinion, and to bring authenticity to the issues that she highlights. Though it gives you a reality check about the scenario of gender discrimination in Korea, it is a story of every woman living through it across the world.
One might even say that she is complaining too much or biased but it is the truth and you cannot deny it!
This book is really fierce, spit facts, and a thought-provoking book. And, I feel every woman can find something relatable in this story even in India. Moreover, this book is going to give you a perspective no matter what your gender is. Read it and you’ll understand why?