Kim JiYoung, Born 1982 – Cho Nam-joo

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Chosen by Rachel

Kim Jiyoung is a new wife and young mother living in Seoul. One day she begins channelling dead women from her past, speaking eerily. The book is a look at important events in her life and the way in which women are ill-regarded and ill-treated in Korean society. It became a cult classic when it was first published in 2016.

You’re right. In a world where doctors can cure cancer and do heart transplants, there isn’t a single pill to treat menstrual cramps.’ Her sister pointed at her own stomach. ‘The world wants our uterus to be drug-free. Like sacred grounds in a virgin forest’.

●  I can see why this became a cult classic amongst women everywhere: a young Korean woman calls out the misogynistic behaviour she sees and is a victim of. It is clever how Jiyoung is a kind of passive observer in her own life and acts as a conduit or a sacrifice for all women to channel their rage. The ending is brilliant/rage-enducing and I have very strong feelings about it but will not provide any spoilers. This should be required reading for all young women and young men. – Rachel

●  This cleverly structured short novel really packed some punch relating to the ingrained long history of misogyny in South Korea. This novel plays such an important role in showcasing what woman face in everyday life, from a girl bought up and treated differently to her brothers, sexual harassment through school, university and adulthood, injustice relating to career opportunities … the list goes on. I really enjoyed the structure and the journey of what it is like be to a South Korean woman narrating her way through life. Loved it and would encourage people to read it! – Jodie

● Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 was more than just frustrating, it was enraging. It made me want to yell at every man I know, just because they are men. To have women’s subjugation laid bare like this was confronting and challenging and I felt quite unsettled after finishing it (and still do). A brilliant book. – Suzy

● This was an educational and deeply frustrating read. As depressing as it was I still felt hopeful with the progress for women being made in Korea. The final chapter was aggravating but somehow darkly humorous to me. Not a relaxing story but I felt more enlightened to the situation for women in Korea which I appreciate. – Jo

Published 2020
Anansi International
163 pages