We see fetuses being aborted for being the wrong gender and women's bodies becoming the subject of job interview questions. We see her living in fear of predatory boys and handsy teachers. We see her met with challenge after challenge rejection after rejection. We see her put everything she has into becoming a working woman with her own income. Then we go back in time and follow Jiyoung through the story of her life. Where has this come from? She never used to behave like this- what happened to her? Sometimes she will talk like she is someone else, or make inappropriate comments while they are visiting family. It starts very odd, not unlike Han Kang's The Vegetarian, with a man observing his wife, Kim Jiyoung, exhibiting some very unusual behaviour. What it really is, for me, is a novelization of a true story the true story of gender inequality in Korea. It's a strange combination of fiction and facts, including footnotes referencing actual data on women in the workplace, housewives, the hoju system, and abortion. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is an unusual book and I can see right now how it won't be for everyone. It really makes me wonder how many other gems there are that never made it to translation. From the weirder stuff ( The Vegetarian, IMO) to the fabulous ( Parasite - highly recommended) to this latest novella that packs a serious punch. There is some seriously weird and awesome art coming out of South Korea these days.

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.Ĥ 1/2 stars.

Kim jiyoung born 1982 cover