Girl with Black Makeup: Escapee from North Korea

by Sharon Jang

I was born in 1991, but the course of my life was determined in 1953, near the end of the Korean War. My grandfather, a South Korean soldier, was captured by North Korean forces. He endured imprisonment, beatings, and torture, and after his release, he was forced to labor in a coal mine.

Similarly, my mother was compelled to work in a coal mine, where she met and married a man whose family had also been sentenced to the same fate. As the child of two parents condemned to coal mining, my destiny was predetermined. After completing high school, I too was assigned by North Korean authorities to work in a coal mine.

Being a descendant of a South Korean POW, free will was impossible for me when I was growing up in North Korea.

99 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2024

Reviews

[DomiCzytaPL]

A powerful and deeply moving read - a personal story of a North Korean defector who endured unimaginable hardship in a country where the leader is valued more than the people. I had the chance to hear Sharon speak at the Warsaw Book Fair, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get her book. I hope her incredible story reaches far and wide, inspiring others and reminding us all of the strength it takes to fight for freedom.

I’m leaving this review without a star rating, as I find it difficult to rate a nonfiction book like this in a simple way.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You could easily finish this book in an afternoon, as the writing is clear, simple, and accessible. I found myself needing to pause more than once, though, because Sharon’s story is told with such honesty that it made me stop and reflect on how fortunate my own life has been.

Girl with Black Make Up is a heartfelt recount of Sharon’s life in North Korea and her journey of defecting to South Korea. I had the privilege of meeting Sharon in July 2025 and hearing her story firsthand. She is the kind of person you instinctively want to protect from the world, yet she also radiates strength, passion, and kindness.

Sharon, thank you for sharing your story. At times it was difficult to read about the hardships you endured, but your resilience and courage shine through every page. You are truly an outstanding woman.
Do know that there are a few tiny typos in the text, but they only make the book feel more authentic, as though you are sitting across from Sharon herself while she shares her life.

My favourite quote:
“I was too immature to understand that the more precious one considers someone, the more they pour their heart and thoughts into that person.”

[Michael Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming story about overcoming hardship and seeking a better future. Sharon’s story of her life in North Korea, her escape to South Korea, and her travels to Canada will leave you with a sense of hope no matter how difficult life gets.

[Emma Todorovich]

I attended Sharon’s talk about her experience growing up in and defecting from North Korea a few weeks ago while in South Korea. I bought her book on the spot.
I’m haunted by the deprivation and brutality in North Korea. Especially after experiencing the prosperity and abundance in South Korea. The suffering in the North is a constant reminder of how corrupt, morally depraved leadership can brainwash and force an entire nation into hell on earth.
I’m glad that Sharon got out when she did. It made me really sad to hear that advances in AI and technology have now made it nearly impossible for North Koreans to defect in present day.
I am proud and grateful to be Canadian. I’m glad that Canada was able to offer Sharon some opportunity for growth. Also shoutout to Thailand for being the bridge between North and South Korea and not repatriating North Koreans. Makes me love Thailand even more.
Wishing Sharon nothing but the best.

[Estera Szulc · Rating 4 out of 5]

straszne ile autorka musiała przejść, aby w końcu osiągnąć wolność, która dla większości jest czymś oczywistym.
chciałabym dowiedzieć się więcej, historia była, mam wrażenie, napisana w dużym skrócie, ale wciąż zrobiła na mnie ogromne wrażenie i mam pełno szacunku dla autorki🩷

[Kuba Bobinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
Opowieść ciekawa i fascynująco przerażająca. Ciężko pomyśleć ze prezentowane w książce rzeczy jeszcze niedawno miały (i prawdopodobnie dalej mają) miejsce. Historia ciężka i trudna, pokazująca wielką odwagę i determinacje autorki w swojej drodze ku wolności. Sama opowieść jest przedstawiona w duzej pigułce, bez wchodzenia w większe detale i rozpisywania sie o konkretnym okresie życia. Te szybkie przeskoki między wątkami zostawily u mnie lekki niedosyt, ponieważ na pewno chcialbym poznać więcej szczegółów z bogatej historii autorki.

[Yogy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, one-day read that is written in a simple, easy-to-follow style. However, it wasn’t as detailed as some of the other books read on this subject. I would have liked to learn more about the author’s personal story, as it felt some chapters of her life only briefly touched upon.

[Lexee Koblenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy and interesting read! I really wanted to read this book after meeting the author today in the DMZ, her story seemed so intriguing and I wanted to know about it all! I ended up finishing the book in one night!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intriguing story, terrible editing.

This was a very surface-level book about the experiences of Ms Jang growing up in N. Korea and defecting. If you want a book with more detail, more fluidity, or great storytelling, you will have to look elsewhere. This book just skins the surface of this woman’s experience.

Additionally, it felt as if no one edited this book. The epilogue especially was full of edits in which the previous word choices weren’t even removed. Missing periods, extra commas for no reason. Just honestly a mess.

I gave 2 stars just because I do feel for this woman and what she’s gone through. But a ghostwriter would’ve been a better option, or at least a real editor.

[Izzy Grint · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ever you want to gain some perspective, read this book. The language is simple, but the (true) story does not need flowery words - it’s evocative enough as-is using basic facts. I hope more people read Sharon’s story.

(The copy I have has some minor grammatical and translation errors, but that’s completely understandable).

[Katelyn Maylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to listen to Sharon speak as a defector on a tour to the DMZ. Thirty minutes simply wasn’t enough so I purchased her book. Her story is so incredibly heartbreaking. I will often think of her and hope the best for her and her daughters.