Goodreads Malaysia discussion

5 star. Provocative. The book is narrated from the eyes of Kim Jiyoung, a woman of the 80s generation & of the society's expectations & norms for a female in South Korea.

She spoke of the weight of being a woman:from her childhood; where she depicted that her younger brother was favoured in many ways due to gender to education & moving on in life- the bitter truth of discrimination in career pathways and later; the challenges in balancing having a family and a career.

During the recounts; perspectives of older generations like Jiyoung's mother, sister, mother in law & grandmother were also told - we can see how patriarchal traditions were weaved into the society's expectations and that acceptance is bred through years of repeated "womanly advices" and practices.

What Jiyoung went through is not something new; in fact it is not something that is restricted in South Korea only. Reading her story; there were many instances where the words spoken or the scenes struck familiarity in me - either by my own encounter or from my known friends/colleagues experiences - “Don’t worry, as long as the second one is a boy.” is a familiar note to some; am sure..
Being surpassed in promotions or job interviews due to gender and facing sexual harassment at workplace are common themes in a female world - be it the 80s or 90s generation. I do admit that things have changed for the better (although not completely ideal) in some places; but truth to be told (at risk of sounding like a feminist rant); gender discrimination still exist strong and loud in the era of nowadays.

Interestingly; the author managed to "steal" in many statistical citations and historical data giving the book a solid ground to 'fight' the gender debate not only through the fictional story of Jiyoung; but through the authentic numbers and data that speaks for itself.

The reality is grim, but not without hope. A book like Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 opens up bravely and speaks for the voiceless; hoping that this will make the women be heard & the society 'wakes up" for a better change.. For the sake of our daughters.