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annikareads_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
kaylamanzanares's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"The world had changed a great deal, but the little rules, contracts and customs had not, which meant the world hadn't actually changed at all."
On the back cover of the book, it says that "Kim Jiyoung is her own woman. Kim Jiyoung is every woman." By narrating Kim Jiyoung's experiences as a woman going through different age milestones in life while she lives in a patriarchal society, Cho Nam-joo seems to hand us a mirror to reflect on our own experiences and on what it means to be a woman, especially as we exist in what we now consider a modern society. The book also clearly enumerated the many instances misogyny is expressed and presented in our daily lives, from the blatant action to the smallest details, and how it is manifested in our homes, schools, workplaces, and elsewhere.
I was able to finish reading Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 within a considerably short period of time. It was moving, thought-provoking and emotionally challenging. Reading Kim Jiyoung's story made me feel, mostly but not limited to being, enraged and frustrated because I, too, have witnessed and experienced misogyny, discrimination, and objectification throughout my life.
I have my own experiences of dealing against the patriarchy, but as I have read the book, I cannot help but wonder its impact as well on the women I came from and those around me. The book also got me reflecting on the internalized misogyny that I might have unconsciously acquired and hold, the times I've had manifested it and how it affected other women.
There are many more thoughts that I need to reflect on and process, but my main takeaway probably is to question, challenge, and unlearn what are considered to be the norms towards women. Most times the world may seem to be unchanging but it is not entirely true. By believing in our strength and power, speaking up against discrimination and micro-aggressions, and taking spaces for ourselves simply because we can, we assert our own identity. But we, women, shouldn't be the only ones burdened to push for change as if it's our responsibility alone. Fuck patriarchy.
On the back cover of the book, it says that "Kim Jiyoung is her own woman. Kim Jiyoung is every woman." By narrating Kim Jiyoung's experiences as a woman going through different age milestones in life while she lives in a patriarchal society, Cho Nam-joo seems to hand us a mirror to reflect on our own experiences and on what it means to be a woman, especially as we exist in what we now consider a modern society. The book also clearly enumerated the many instances misogyny is expressed and presented in our daily lives, from the blatant action to the smallest details, and how it is manifested in our homes, schools, workplaces, and elsewhere.
I was able to finish reading Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 within a considerably short period of time. It was moving, thought-provoking and emotionally challenging. Reading Kim Jiyoung's story made me feel, mostly but not limited to being, enraged and frustrated because I, too, have witnessed and experienced misogyny, discrimination, and objectification throughout my life.
I have my own experiences of dealing against the patriarchy, but as I have read the book, I cannot help but wonder its impact as well on the women I came from and those around me. The book also got me reflecting on the internalized misogyny that I might have unconsciously acquired and hold, the times I've had manifested it and how it affected other women.
There are many more thoughts that I need to reflect on and process, but my main takeaway probably is to question, challenge, and unlearn what are considered to be the norms towards women. Most times the world may seem to be unchanging but it is not entirely true. By believing in our strength and power, speaking up against discrimination and micro-aggressions, and taking spaces for ourselves simply because we can, we assert our own identity. But we, women, shouldn't be the only ones burdened to push for change as if it's our responsibility alone. Fuck patriarchy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
tprsjr's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
Minor: Medical content
she_jin_e's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Sexual harassment
sophlouise_'s review against another edition
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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility, Mental illness, Abortion, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
_fralerighe_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Abortion
bridgetbry's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pregnancy
critisighs's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Abortion
merle98's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
An important book about gender inequality, that is sadly still relevant everywhere in the world. Reading half like a memoir, half like a social sciences paper (as if the author had to back her writing up with statistics and facts from scientific articles in case people would not believe her descriptions of gender discrimination), this book points out how gender inequality continues to permeate modern society and is ingrained into the minds of even those who mean well. The main character was really passive most of the time which I guess in this case is a symptom of oppression but I felt like she could've shown a little more agency, but the mom had a great character arc.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical content, Stalking, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment