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Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 | Cho Nam-Joo
Kim Jiyoung is a girl born to a mother whose in-laws wanted a boy. Kim Jiyoung is a sister made to share a room while her brother gets one of his own. Kim Jiyoung is a female preyed upon by male teachers at school. Kim Jiyoung is a daughter whose father blames her when she is harassed late at night. Kim Jiyoung is a good student who doesnt get put forward for internships. Kim Jiyoung is a model employee but gets overlooked for promotion. Kim Jiyoung is a wife who gives up her career and independence for a life of domesticity. Kim Jiyoung has started acting strangely. Kim Jiyoung is depressed. Kim Jiyoung is mad. Kim Jiyoung is her own woman. Kim Jiyoung is every woman. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is the South Korean sensation that has got the whole world talking. The life story of one young woman born at the end of the twentieth century raises questions about endemic misogyny and institutional oppression that are relevant to us all. Riveting, original and uncompromising, this is the most important book to have emerged from South Korea since Han Kangs The Vegetarian.
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ArlenaStuart
Pickpick

My review:
The book is brilliant, ending - in the very last sentence - with a powerful outcry that highlights the potential deadlock faced under the guise of pseudo-feminism. It‘s a genuine call for genuine progress.

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rachaich
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Pickpick

My goodness, what a read.
I'm aware of Korean culture but not that extreme sexism and anti female casually accepted culture
I'm passing it to my partner, then my switched on daughter who will be equally furious...
Read it!!

22 likes1 stack add
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rachaich
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It leapt off the charity shop shelf at me and I knew it was one off my list.
It's a good one. It's highlighting sexism throughout her life but not through opinion, just observation.

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psalva
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I‘m always interested in the reading material provided in an Air BnB. This is what was on the shelf at the place we stayed in Athens, Greece. An interesting selection 📚I ended up not doing a lot of reading on the trip. Being a chaperone to college students was more tiring than anticipated, but I was glad to squeeze in some bookish experiences while there.

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Martta
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Pickpick

This book made me so angry! It's a good book but I really have complicated feelings about it. I found especially infuriating the doctor's comments in the end. It is painfully realistic and doesn't offer much hope for the reader.

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Lucy_Anywhere
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Look what arrived with the post this morning- thank you @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😊 and I love the stickers! #litsylove

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yay!! It finally arrived!! ❤️📝💌 1y
19 likes1 comment
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Lucy_Anywhere
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Thanks for the tag @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks !
1. I never actually put any up 🙈 partly because I was away for Christmas anyway but mostly because my cat is an absolute menace and would have had them down in minutes!
2. Snow! I‘ve lived in the tropics for seven years and had plenty of rain but I have really missed watching the snow come down
@TheSpineView #two4tuesday

TheSpineView Thanks for playing!🤍❄️📖📘 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙💙💙 1y
16 likes2 comments
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bekakins
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Pickpick

This book made me SO. ANGRY. Everyone should read it.

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Mpcacher
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Pickpick

This is a short novel, but it packs a powerful punch. I found it sad, frustrating and unfortunately very relatable. The difficulty for women and especially mothers in the workforce is not very different in South Korea as it is in North America. Someone mentioned that all men should have to read this book, and while I agree, I somehow doubt most would get it. This is a great choice for book clubs, especially those of mixed genders. 4.25/5 stars.

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Blackink_WhitePaper
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Pickpick

This book made me realise d brutal truth that women are treated differently all over d world ! The snapshots from the life of Kim Jiyoung is so much relatable, that‘s why it‘s frustrating & heartbreaking read . Even though it is a piece of fiction it won‘t exaggerate anything, instead it slaps our conscious with facts & statistics. This d book which I want everyone to read, at the same time I resent myself reading it 😞4.5⭐️#bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 2y
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cephellapod
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Pickpick

Every man should read this book. Makes me sad and resentful to be a woman

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roronoazoro
Pickpick

Beautiful and Powerful.
Everyone should read this book!
It‘s crazy how no matter where you live, all over the world, women have the same experiences.
Every women can see a bit of themselves in the situations in this book.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4453501331

#Feminist #Feminism

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PuddleJumper
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Pickpick

This is a heartbreakingly relatable book. It's both wonderful and tragic and makes me want to burn the world.

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kellock
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Mehso-so

It was OK. Strange blend of fiction with statistics thrown in

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kellock
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Next up . . . Another 99p bargain

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review
quietlycuriouskate
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Pickpick

I can't say I *enjoyed* this quick read exactly; it made my blood boil (not that endemic misogyny is breaking news...). It's good, though. With its concise, bare facts only, writing style complete with footnotes, was I reading a novel? An academic report? A piece of journalism? It became clear later on! And as for the concluding paragraph! 🤬

KathyWheeler New or not, reading about endemic misogyny can still be infuriating. 2y
youneverarrived I felt the exact same way 2y
41 likes1 stack add2 comments
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nikekay
Pickpick

Finished reading on 16 January 2022.

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TheEllieMo
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My June pick for #12BooksOf2021 is the beautifully crafted novel from Korean writer Cho Nam-Joo.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Sounds great.i 2y
27 likes1 comment
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IuliaC
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Pickpick

Largely inspired by the author's personal experience, the book gives voice to so many unheard women, not only from Korea.

No wonder the novel has raised a debate in the Korean society and became a cult book, given how forthright it presents women's condition over the last 40 years. A wonderful book to read in just a couple of hours.

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dainarmb
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Pickpick

A full review to follow, but this book at its core details what it means to live as a woman, especially as a mother, in Korea. The ending of this book made my heart just drop. Solid 4 ⭐. #BookSpinBingo

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dimedgirl
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In a little while, the #20in4 Readathon starts for me! I hope to get an hour of reading each day (broken up in three 20 minute periods!). I just finished a class in Children/YA Lit. so I‘ve been obsessed with that genre lately, but there‘s other books I own I want to get to during this readathon. I‘m too much of a mood reader to have a TBR, but I‘m excited to join! Currently reading Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 ☺️

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Good luck 😊👍 3y
dimedgirl @Andrew65 thank you! Good luck to you as well ✨🍀 3y
Andrew65 @dimedgirl Thanks 😊 3y
7 likes3 comments
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TheEllieMo
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1. Sometimes….. 😱

2. Yes, that there‘s a lot of sexism and misogyny in Korea. And that the West isn‘t as different from Korea as it would like to think…

#Two4Tuesday
@TheSpineView

TheSpineView Thanks for playing and happy Tuesday! 3y
30 likes1 comment
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rjsthumbelina
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Pickpick

This book was frustrating, but in a good way. It follows Kim Jiyoung throughout her life, drawing attention to all of the moments that she gets short-changed for being female. It is bookended by the idea that she is now in therapy for having some sort of a mental break, but even that was decided by her husband. More of a thought experiment than a novel, really, but it makes an important point

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TheEllieMo
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Pickpick

A deceptively simple book that has relevance not just in Korea but everywhere. Kim Jiyoung is a Korean everywoman, whose life story author Cho Nam-Joo uses to illustrate the very patriarchal nature of Korean society, but the microaggressions Jiyoung experiences will not be unfamiliarity anyone living in a patriarchy, including the UK and the USA. A book that will definitely make you stop and think.

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ClairesReads
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Pickpick

Cho Nam-Joo tells the story of Kim Jinyoung from childhood to adulthood and in doing so, critically examines the prevalence of sexism in Korean society. it‘s assertions are supported throughout with sometimes jarring specific statistical and anecdotal evidence. Its detached, affectless style at times felt like it wasn‘t going to work, but by the end I realised this was exactly the style the book needed.

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JillR
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Pickpick

I thought I had sorted the whole education/career/motherhood thing, but this book shook me up. This isn‘t just a fictional story of Kim Jiyoung struggling with everyday sexism in Korea, this could be any of us. A short read with clipped writing littered with facts, this packs a punch. Particularly the ending. Highly recommend (and loving the cover).

TrishB Great review and agree completely! 3y
Cathythoughts Great review 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
JillR @trishb @cathythoughts thank you both ☺️ 3y
39 likes3 comments
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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #ReadingAsia2021 @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle

I had a day at home to read and I finished my #BookSpin for this month.

This one isn't a long read, but it was quite emotional for me to read. Jiyoung deals with so much while just trying to make a better life for herself. Parts of this made me so angry, but I still think it's a great read that others should read.

Librarybelle I am very intrigued by this one! 3y
Addison_Reads @Librarybelle I've seen mixed reviews, and the injustice to women in this book is frustrating, but personally, I enjoyed the read and I will be thinking about it for a while I know. 3y
Reggie I liked this one a lot. 3y
BarbaraBB An important read I agree. 3y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y
42 likes5 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
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99p for UK Kindle users.

squirrelbrain Thanks for the tag Michele- I bought it last time it was 99p on Kindle! 😁 A good choice for those doing #readingasia2021. 3y
TrishB 👍🏻 I think I got it last time too & have actually read. 3y
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB Bought AND read? Who are you and what have you done with Trish? 😉 I‘m sure I‘ll get around to it in a few years. 3y
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TrishB My daughter is fascinated by S. Korea because of k-Pop so we read together! 3y
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB Oh that‘s fun! Although nothing makes me feel older than K-Pop. Any time I see any artist on television, I send a text to my oldest sister apologizing for making her take me to New Kids on the Block concerts when I was 12. 3y
TrishB @MicheleinPhilly I had a very obliging niece do that for me!! 3y
54 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Ididsoidid
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Pickpick

Cho Nam-Joo has written a book that is both universal and local, infuriating and motivating. Whilst giving insight into South Korea and peppered with statistics to add further weight, we can all identify with Kim Jiyoung, the layers of inherent political and social oppression of women and our often subconscious actions which serve to reinforce it. Women‘s rights are for the benefit of everyone, and everyone should read this book. 8/10

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Andrea313
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Pickpick

Oh, hey. In the mood to get REAL riled up? Want a book that is utterly brilliant but will also make you want to *burn things*? You found it! This book is heartbreaking and infuriating, and though it tells a uniquely Korean story, isn't it also the story of women everywhere? I absolutely loved the footnotes throughout- this book is fiction. But it's factual. They're just characters. But they're us. This one will stay with me a long time.

Texreader Whew! What a terrific review! Already had this one stacked. 3y
32 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Andrea313
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I love waking up to a book delivery! ❤️📚🎉 #NewIn #BookMail #WeekendReading

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rockpools
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Pickpick

An unusual but very sad read.

In a matter-of-fact voice, we learn the minutiae of Kim Jiyoung‘s life, the constant, cumulative microagressions & inequalities she faces as a girl/woman in South Korea, and pressure/conflict she faces between doing what she needs to do to get by, & setting a precedent/good example for younger women.You never really feel that close to Jiyoung- I felt I knew her sister & team leader better than Jiyoung herself👇🏻

rockpools (not a criticism. Pretty sure this was intended). But I found the detail about life in Korea absolutely fascinating!

So really glad I read this - but also glad it was short! Thank you for the #NonBuddyRead @Cinfhen @squirrelbrain 🤗 - quite proud of myself for nearly keeping up!

Here goes: #Booked2021 #AuthorsFirstNameBeginsWithABC #ReadingAsia2021 #FourFoursin21 #Revolution (because this is a call for one!)
(edited) 3y
Lauredhel First #fourfoursin21 post! It does sound fascinating. 3y
rockpools On the writing style. When you‘d mentioned a twist, Helen, I kind of guessed. I‘ve done a lot of proofreading for a friend over the years, as she qualified (at various times) as a social worker, mental health nurse, & therapist. The writing REALLY reminded me of her essays/reports, which set me thinking.... 3y
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TrishB Great review 👍🏻 my thoughts were very similar. 3y
rockpools @Lauredhel Oh wow! That‘s very unexpected- I‘m usually the one scraping in seconds before the deadline 😂😂 Looking forward to seeing how other people adapt the prompts. 3y
Cinfhen Wonderful review, Rachel. I agree the detached voice works and the information about South Korea was educational and eye-opening. I‘m happy I read this one too♥️ 3y
rockpools @TrishB Thanks Trish! It really is time for some fluff now 😘 3y
BarbaraBB Wonderful review. 3y
erzascarletbookgasm Great review! 3y
squirrelbrain Oops, sorry if I spoiled it slightly for you....😳 3y
rockpools @squirrelbrain You really didn‘t! I‘d already noticed how similar it felt to my friend‘s writing- it just wasn‘t too much of a shock when the perspective became clear. 3y
Librarybelle Excellent review! 3y
squirrelbrain Phew! Great review though - it sounds like you got more out of it than I did, with all of your research around the subject. 😘 3y
73 likes5 stack adds15 comments
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Melismatic
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Pickpick

A brilliant (and familiar) read despite being translated from its original Korean. All women will be able to relate to quite a bit of this, no matter their culture. A quick read and worth every moment. Highly recommend.

Counting this as my #DoubleSpin - continuing my penchant to reading the Double first. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️ #BookSpinBingo #BookSpin

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
21 likes1 comment
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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this very short book, but not as much as I thought I would based on others‘ reviews. The book was written in a very unusual style, the reason for which became clear at the end. I still can‘t decide if I wanted that a-ha moment or if I‘d have preferred that understanding throughout.

First book for 2021 and first prompt ticked off for #readingasia2021 #southkorea

Thanks for the #nonbuddyread @Cinfhen @rockpools - it was fun! 😁

rockpools It‘s a very strange one, isn‘t it? I hope to finish it tomorrow. 3y
Librarybelle Awesome! 3y
69 likes2 comments
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rockpools
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Jiyoung‘s Mum, everso subtly, trying to change the world her girls grow up in. This is a very sad book.

squirrelbrain It is rather isn‘t it? 3y
TrishB I thought so too. 3y
52 likes2 comments
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rockpools
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Seriously. Internet rabbit-hole in the first sentence?! This may take a while!

But how fascinating!
https://www.koreanclass101.com/korean-age/

@squirrelbrain @Cinfhen Do you get the feeling I may be putting off actually starting our #NonBuddyRead ? 😁

Cinfhen Hahaha!!! That line DID catch my attention 🤣🤣🤣 3y
squirrelbrain Great find! I just assumed they were on a slightly different calendar to us, but of course that doesn‘t make sense! 3y
rockpools @Cinfhen @squirrelbrain I know it‘s super-short, but me & South Korea Wikipedia are getting wonderfully well-acquainted here, so I‘ll see you in a few days!! 3y
squirrelbrain 👋 See you then! 3y
Reggie Lol. I love this! 3y
46 likes5 comments
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Cinfhen
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Starting my #FirstRead #NonBuddyRead it‘s a rather slim one...

squirrelbrain It‘s *very* short. I made myself stop at 80% yesterday so I didn‘t accidentally finish it! 🤣 3y
Cinfhen Even though it‘s slim @squirrelbrain it‘s pretty well packed @rockpools I‘m not sure I LOVE it but I‘m definitely curious where this book is headed. 3y
squirrelbrain Yes I agree with you - I‘m not loving it but it‘s OK.... @rockpools 3y
See All 6 Comments
rockpools Good morning! Happy New Year! Needless to say, I haven‘t actually started yet - I had a pressing appointment with sunrise 🌅 (it‘s cold out there!) - sorry you‘re not loving it, but short and curious both sound good. I will catch up - after my porridge!!! @squirrelbrain (edited) 3y
BarbaraBB You three are kicking off the new year in the best way! Love it! @squirrelbrain @rockpools 🤍 3y
squirrelbrain No rush @rockpools - I‘m working today so won‘t be reading much until this evening.... There was a lovely sunrise here the other morning - not so much today! A bit dull really..... 3y
87 likes6 comments