Quick sum up: a korean girl doesn't like living in korea and moves to australia.
The good thing is, this book doesn't glorify either country and points out both pros and cons of living in both korea and australia.
On one end of the spectrum we have korea, where mc's friends and family live and where she has a job and is more or less financially independent, but also it's where she as a woman faces all the societal pressure and challenges /as in kim ji young born 1982/.
On the other end - australia, with more personal freedom, that, however, is accompanied with other obstacles. Like the tedious process of getting citizenship. Like horrible living conditions for the immigrants, ten people residing in one apartment, people living on a balcony or behind a curtain in the living room. Like racism and fetishization of korean women. Like language barrier.
The protagonist initially has a very sugar-coated idea of living abroad, but then she gets first-hand experience of all the hardships. By the end of her story she is able to make an informed decision of where she should live and where she would be happier.
The other good thing is the realistic characters. The book was written by a man - and a female protagonist written by a man is always something to get tensed up about. In this particular case however that was an overall success.
The author acknowledges and disapproves of a lot of sexist issues and doesn't slip into 'histerical girl' trope. There were a couple of instances that felt slightly out of place. Like that time the protagonist first arrives in australia and walks down the street and stares at the passers-by and makes a mental remark that she's the thinest girl in the town and now she can wear whatever the hell she wants and stop hiding her body. I feel it's somewhat offensive - but i'm not sure in what way. Or maybe this scene just sets off some of my personal triggers haha idk.
But overall, the good stuff outweighs the bad.
Also, all the side characters are egoistic jerks in some way or another, which is also very realistic.
Besides, the protagonist herself is actually relatable. Being around 30 years old, she doesn't have a plan for the future and is lost and confused in both her professional and personal life, while everyone around her seems to have it all figured out. But she doesn't get too depressed about it and never gives up her search of self. That is hopeful.
The book has just one meh thing about it - it screams to your face I'M NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS. Let everyone else stay in korea and experience systematic sexism, but i, the protagonist, am different - i'm not going to fall victim to the system, i'm gonna break out and move f***ing abroad!!!!
I do see why this was important to the plot, but i wish it would be more subtle.