I recently came across Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo, published in 2016. I checked with my Korean student yesterday. She said it was mostly accurate during that period in Korea.
The novel chronicles the life of its protagonist, Kim Jiyoung, from childhood through school, work, and marriage, leading up to her mental breakdown. It reads like a case study on a pervasive social issue that affects half of the population: gender inequality in a patriarchal society. The author presents Jiyoung’s experiences in a matter-of-fact tone, as if to suggest that this is just how life unfolds for women like her in a modern society.
The first half of Jiyoung’s life was marked by everyday gender discrimination, starting even before she was born. Her grandmother, a staunch believer in the necessity of having at least four sons, was deeply disappointed when Jiyoung’s mother gave birth to two daughters. Each time, her mother tearfully apologized to the grandmother. When the third child was yet another girl, her mother cried all night and eventually had an abortion. It wasn’t until five years later that her mother gave birth to a son—the "precious grandson" her grandmother had been waiting for.
At elementary school, Jiyoung encountered more subtle but equally harmful discrimination. A boy who sat next to her relentlessly bullied her. When the teacher finally became aware of the situation, rather than addressing the problem, they dismissed it with, "He bullies you because he likes you." This left a lasting impression on Jiyoung.
In middle school, gender bias was institutionalized through the school’s dress code. Girls were required to wear knee-length uniform skirts and, in summer, had to endure three layers of clothing, meant to conceal their developing bodies. Jiyoung recalls how unbearably hot it was during the peak summer months. In winter, they had to wear black stockings, couldn’t add extra socks for warmth, and were restricted to dress shoes, which made the cold almost unbearable. Meanwhile, boys faced no such scrutiny. They were free to wear any shoes and even loosen their shirts in the summer. The rationale? Boys needed to be ready for physical activities at any time.
High school introduced Jiyoung to more overt forms of sexual harassment. She faced inappropriate behavior from men on public transport, teachers, and even classmates. One night, while being harassed by a boy on her way home, the boy accused her of leading him on, claiming, "You’re the one who always smiles at me in class." Jiyoung, who didn’t even know him, was stunned. Yet, even at home, she found no support. Her father blamed her, questioning why she was traveling so far for tutoring, why her skirt was so short, and why she was even talking to strangers.
At university in Seoul, Jiyoung had her first boyfriend, but their relationship ended when he enlisted in the military. During a social gathering, she overheard that a senior had always had feelings for her. However, when asked why he didn’t pursue her, the senior sighed, "Forget it, who wants to chew gum that’s already been chewed?" Jiyoung was shocked. This seemingly upright and kind senior viewed women who had been in relationships as "chewed gum," while no such stigma was attached to men.
A Chinese saying that expresses the traditional value that is no longer prevalent now “男尊女卑” (Nán zūn nǚ bēi), meaning: "Men are superior, women are inferior." It perfectly encapsulates the gender inequality deeply rooted in traditional societal values, which is central to Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982.
Kim Jiyoung's story, though fictional, resonates with the lived experiences of countless women around the world. It exposes the deep-rooted gender biases embedded in society, from birth to adulthood, and highlights how the traditional belief of the superiority of men over women — continues to manifest in everyday life.
While these attitudes may no longer be as openly prevalent as in the past, the subtle and insidious forms of discrimination persist. The novel serves as a start of conversation and a reminder that dismantling these patriarchal structures is an ongoing process, one that requires both individual awareness and collective societal change.
Continue tomorrow.