A review by critisighs
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

informative reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

4.25

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is an insight into what life is like in Korea for women. Reading this, I felt a mix of outrage and sadness at Jiyoung's—Korean women's—experiences. I've heard about gender inequality in Korea, but I hadn't realized how new the women's movement in South Korea is and how much farther there is to go. Through the characters you can see how the gender bias and misogyny is ingrained in Korean culture and societal expectations. 

I wish I could read the original book in Korean. Some of the writing felt a bit robotic to me, but perhaps it'd flow better in the original writing. 

I have so many feelings after reading this. One of which is how privileged I am that their experiences didn't resonate with me. And also stuck on the ending, how you can be aware and disparaging yet apathetic and still perpetuating the same belief and actions you shake your head at. 
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