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koreanlinda's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a hugely famous and popular book in Korea when it was published. Reading it a decade later, I understood why. It tells the story of all women having lived, are living, and will live in South Korea. Of course, it is not all-encompassing, but women-presenting people in Korea cannot escape the sexism and misogyny described in this book, perhaps partially but not entirely.
I grew up in South Korea until my high school year. While reading this book, I finally realized that every minute of my childhood was filled with experiences of sexism and misogyny. Through counseling therapy, I have already realized that the physical punishment (along with verbal and psychological abuse) by my mother and teachers was indeed violence and child abuse. (It was so normalized that I thought it was acceptable for most of my life.) However, I did not realize until now that the oppression and abuse I experienced were much bigger than my small circle of personal relationships.
I am now living in the USA, where they have a considerable portion of sexism and misogyny. However, I deem that there is a better awareness around it here, compared to South Korea. The frustration I experienced in Korea (during my residence in childhood and my visits in adulthood) and what I read in the book largely originates from the normalization of sexism and misogyny. There are small pockets of feminist groups speaking up for women's rights, but they are brutally demonized by mainstream society. Fighting for women's rights quickly feels like screaming into a void, unheard and disregarded. Even people who seem to care fail to understand women's struggles. For example, Jung, TaeHyun, a loving and supportive husband of Kim, JiYoung still considers his domestic role as "helping" her housework." JiYoung's therapist empathizes with her struggles as well as his wife's, who had also lost her career due to childbirth and parenting. However, at the end of his self-reflection, he concludes that it'd be wiser to hire unmarried female employees at his doctor's office so he doesn't lose their workforce due to their family obligations.
My heart goes out to all Kim, JiYoungs of South Korea and to my younger self, who lived in deep confusion and hurt for a long time.
Review by Linda (Any Pronouns) in April 2024
Personal essays on DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Artwork on Instagram @KoreanLinda
I grew up in South Korea until my high school year. While reading this book, I finally realized that every minute of my childhood was filled with experiences of sexism and misogyny. Through counseling therapy, I have already realized that the physical punishment (along with verbal and psychological abuse) by my mother and teachers was indeed violence and child abuse. (It was so normalized that I thought it was acceptable for most of my life.) However, I did not realize until now that the oppression and abuse I experienced were much bigger than my small circle of personal relationships.
I am now living in the USA, where they have a considerable portion of sexism and misogyny. However, I deem that there is a better awareness around it here, compared to South Korea. The frustration I experienced in Korea (during my residence in childhood and my visits in adulthood) and what I read in the book largely originates from the normalization of sexism and misogyny. There are small pockets of feminist groups speaking up for women's rights, but they are brutally demonized by mainstream society. Fighting for women's rights quickly feels like screaming into a void, unheard and disregarded. Even people who seem to care fail to understand women's struggles. For example, Jung, TaeHyun, a loving and supportive husband of Kim, JiYoung still considers his domestic role as "helping" her housework." JiYoung's therapist empathizes with her struggles as well as his wife's, who had also lost her career due to childbirth and parenting. However, at the end of his self-reflection, he concludes that it'd be wiser to hire unmarried female employees at his doctor's office so he doesn't lose their workforce due to their family obligations.
My heart goes out to all Kim, JiYoungs of South Korea and to my younger self, who lived in deep confusion and hurt for a long time.
Review by Linda (Any Pronouns) in April 2024
Personal essays on DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Artwork on Instagram @KoreanLinda
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Violence
kaylurzz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion
mardana's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Somehow hitting close to home, even though the Korean women apparently have it much harder. I know many of the more or less subtle comments and expectations directed towards women from first hand experience.
This is a book, that should predominantly be read by men. But I doubt, that many a man will pick it up.
This is a book, that should predominantly be read by men. But I doubt, that many a man will pick it up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexism, and Pregnancy
Minor: Mental illness, Alcohol, Bullying, and Miscarriage
directorpurry's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Vomit and Sexual assault
kathshiroma's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Abortion and Miscarriage
isabelvegga's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
lottie1803's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Misogyny, Mental illness, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
headliner's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gak perlu jadi seorang perempuan kalau kamu mau baca buku ini. Buku yang akan membuka pandangan kita tentang bagaimana perbedaan perlakuan kehidupan sosial terhadap kaum perempuan dan laki-laki. Buku ini sangat jelas menyampaikan bagaimana kehidupan Jiyoung dan perilaku masyarakat termasuk orang-orang terdekatnya dalam bersikap.
Narasi yang disampaikan sangat jelas sehingga tidak terasa bertele-tele. Banyak makna dan pelajaran yang dapat aku ambil. Juga pengetahuan baru kalau ternyata di Korea sana sempat diperbolehkan menggunakan marga/nama depan dari ibu. Selama ini aku pikir saklek mengikuti milik ayah.
Jujur selama membaca ini dibuat khawatir dengan sosok Kim Jiyoung dan membuatku bertanya, apa sebenarnya aku, sebagai sesama perempuan, adalah Kim Jiyoung? Selama membaca ini aku juga dibuat muak dan emosi dengan bagaimana sikap laki-laki juga keluarga Jiyoung. Terlebih kisah yang terjadi pada teman SMA Jiyoung dan rekan kerjanya setelah Ia resign. God...
Narasi yang disampaikan sangat jelas sehingga tidak terasa bertele-tele. Banyak makna dan pelajaran yang dapat aku ambil. Juga pengetahuan baru kalau ternyata di Korea sana sempat diperbolehkan menggunakan marga/nama depan dari ibu. Selama ini aku pikir saklek mengikuti milik ayah.
Jujur selama membaca ini dibuat khawatir dengan sosok Kim Jiyoung dan membuatku bertanya, apa sebenarnya aku, sebagai sesama perempuan, adalah Kim Jiyoung? Selama membaca ini aku juga dibuat muak dan emosi dengan bagaimana sikap laki-laki juga keluarga Jiyoung. Terlebih kisah yang terjadi pada teman SMA Jiyoung dan rekan kerjanya setelah Ia resign. God...
Mari kita berharap semua anak perempuan di dunia ini bisa memiliki dan menggapai lebih banyak impian.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying and Child abuse
borara's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Mental illness
sorkka's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this book because it describes some of the many challenges unique to being a woman. After reading, I feel both vindicated and anxious about how I might raise a family and pursue a career. It was so interesting learning about how hopeless this challenge is for many Korean women. I was not happy that the narrator of the audio book was a man at first, given that it is the story of Jiyoung’s life and has such a feminist sentiment, but at the end of the book it is clear why the narrator is a man, with a plot twist!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Abortion and Sexual harassment