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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Infuriating but very important read. This book set off the 4B movement.
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
It shouldn’t have taken me this long to actually pick this up. It is filled with jarring facts and statistics that showcase the realities of Korean women in the 21st century and is presented in a very unique way!
I really liked it!
I really liked it!
Every once and a while a book comes along that is so solid and thought-provoking that it leaves me absolutely stunned. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is a quiet yet devastating look at what it means to be a woman in South Korea. From childhood to marriage, Kim Jiyoung faces constant yet indirect sexism in her daily life. When she has a daughter of her own she finally snaps, and her husband takes her a psychiatrist to get to the root of the issue.
While at times a little too on the nose when conveying the central theme, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 has a clearcut and almost clinical feel. In less than 170 pages, we are given a focused look at how Kim Jiyoung ended up where she is today. This book made headlines in South Korea, and it continues to stun overseas as well. If you haven’t picked this up yet, I recommend it, not just because it is interesting or thoughtful or important but because it is simply good.
While at times a little too on the nose when conveying the central theme, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 has a clearcut and almost clinical feel. In less than 170 pages, we are given a focused look at how Kim Jiyoung ended up where she is today. This book made headlines in South Korea, and it continues to stun overseas as well. If you haven’t picked this up yet, I recommend it, not just because it is interesting or thoughtful or important but because it is simply good.
So good! Really eye-opening look into the gender imbalance in South Korea. Kim Jiyoung is a sort of Korean "every-woman" who, after the birth of her first child, finds her mental health rapidly deteriorating, much to the alarm of her family and husband. Making our way back through Kim Jiyoung's memories, it becomes quickly apparent to the reader that her behavior is far from unexpected, but rather, the almost natural byproduct of a lifetime of misogyny and patriarchy.
I think almost every woman-identified person can relate to some of Kim Jiyoung's experiences as she moves from childhood to university to life in the Korean workforce, and then to being a wife and mother. Every part of her life is peppered with these little moments of unfairness, some very subtle, others much more offensive and outrageous. It's truly no wonder this book helped to spark the #MeToo movement in Korea, because as I read, I constantly found myself thinking, "yes, me too." At the very least, you've likely heard of someone who these things have happened to in real life.
Reading Kim Jiyoung gave a lot of context to little things I've noticed while living in South Korea as well, like why all of my male students come first on the registry, and the female students always come last. This is not to say the U.S. is without its daily dose of misogyny, of course, but the abundance of statistics and little anecdotes about the mental toll sexism takes on a person really highlights how it is still a huge issue in South Korea.
Definitely worth your time to give this book a read. It's definitely nothing new in terms of content (and if it IS new to you, perhaps consider you are part of the problem??), but it definitely serves to validate experiences women have on the daily in Korea, the U.S., and all across the world.
I think almost every woman-identified person can relate to some of Kim Jiyoung's experiences as she moves from childhood to university to life in the Korean workforce, and then to being a wife and mother. Every part of her life is peppered with these little moments of unfairness, some very subtle, others much more offensive and outrageous. It's truly no wonder this book helped to spark the #MeToo movement in Korea, because as I read, I constantly found myself thinking, "yes, me too." At the very least, you've likely heard of someone who these things have happened to in real life.
Reading Kim Jiyoung gave a lot of context to little things I've noticed while living in South Korea as well, like why all of my male students come first on the registry, and the female students always come last. This is not to say the U.S. is without its daily dose of misogyny, of course, but the abundance of statistics and little anecdotes about the mental toll sexism takes on a person really highlights how it is still a huge issue in South Korea.
Definitely worth your time to give this book a read. It's definitely nothing new in terms of content (and if it IS new to you, perhaps consider you are part of the problem??), but it definitely serves to validate experiences women have on the daily in Korea, the U.S., and all across the world.
Apparently I forgot to rate this one! Five stars for its importance and analyses of Korean culture, two and a half for the translation, which was rocky in places, and the on-the-nose political angle which took a lot of the nuance out of the lives being described
Chronicled in a simple yet fascinating manner, 'Kim Jiyoung, Born in 1982' is a narrative that depicts the experiences of numerous women in South Korea from the 1980s to the early 21st century. It is plainly written yet infused with compassion. Jiyoung's character development was remarkable, and I personally found her bittersweet moments with her siblings and husband quite captivating. It didn't take me long to become invested in the story. The book offers a quick read that delves into workplace bias, traditional gender roles, the challenges women encounter while balancing career and family, and the societal pressure. It's a very straightforward read, with a genius ending that made me want to watch the film adaptation.
Por supuesto que es un libro que, como mujer, te retuerce el estómago y revive un montón de momentos que todas hemos vivido: esos comentarios sutiles, esos micro machismos, esos privilegios y consideraciones hacia familiares (y no familiares) hombres, esa ceguera.
Lo que enoja más es definitivamente la ceguera. El contexto de Cho Nam-Joo y el mío es bastante diferente, ella es una mujer de Corea del Sur que nació en los 80’s y yo soy una mujer de México que nació más de una década después. Eso sólo utilizando demográficos simples. Sin embargo, entiendo perfecto su frustración, toda la furia contenida. Y me parece increíble la ceguera de las personas que se niegan a ver esta realidad, tan universal, tan atemporal y tan violenta y limitante.
El final me pareció magnífico, pensando en toda la invisibilidad de las violencias e inequidad que viven las mujeres diariamente. Y también me pareció desesperanzador, pero realista… ¿realmente se puede romper este sistema?
Lo que enoja más es definitivamente la ceguera. El contexto de Cho Nam-Joo y el mío es bastante diferente, ella es una mujer de Corea del Sur que nació en los 80’s y yo soy una mujer de México que nació más de una década después. Eso sólo utilizando demográficos simples. Sin embargo, entiendo perfecto su frustración, toda la furia contenida. Y me parece increíble la ceguera de las personas que se niegan a ver esta realidad, tan universal, tan atemporal y tan violenta y limitante.
El final me pareció magnífico, pensando en toda la invisibilidad de las violencias e inequidad que viven las mujeres diariamente. Y también me pareció desesperanzador, pero realista… ¿realmente se puede romper este sistema?
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes