THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY SELLING SOUTH KOREAN SENSATION THAT HAS GOT THE WHOLE WORLD TALKING
' A ground-breaking work of feminist fiction.' Stylist Who is Kim Jiyoung? 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 doesn’t 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 life story of one young
woman born at the end of the twentieth century and 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 Kang’s The
Vegetarian. Praise for Kim Jiyoung Born 1982 ' It describes experiences that
will be recognisable everywhere. It’s slim unadorned narrative distils a lifetime’s iniquities
into a sharp punch.’ The Sunday Times ‘A ground-breaking work of feminist fiction’
Stylist ‘Along with other socially critical narratives to come out of Korea such as Bong
Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning film Parasite her story could change the bigger one.’ The Guardian
' This witty disturbing book deals with sexism mental health issues and the hypocrisy of a
country where young women are “popping caffeine pills and turning jaundiced” as they slave away
in factories helping to fund higher education for male siblings.' The Independent
' Enthralling and enraging.' Sunday Express ‘Cho’s moving witty and powerful novel
forces us to face our reality in which one woman is seen pretty much as interchangeable with
any other. There’s a logic to Kim Jiyoung’s shape-shifting: she could be anybody.’ Daily
Telegraph
