This story takes places in South Korea, centering around Kim Jiyoung. A housewife who becomes possessed by the mutual deceased friend of the couple. Incredulous by his wife spewing private information only the dead knows her husband is freaked out, and missing his obedient, mostly docile partner. Made more perplexing by the memory lapse that follows. Kim Jiyoung doesn’t remember anything when taken over by the other spirit.
From there the book chronicles her life growing up in South Korea, from childhood into the present day. Flashing back to glimpses of mother’s life as well. The most influential person in shaping her. The reader gains an understanding of life as a woman in South Korea and it’s dismal. Decades of sexism favoring men, women having to give up their careers to raise children thanklessly, while having their role as a mother diminished, blamed for sexual harassment, and a job market that leaves them with scraps. No wonder Kim Jiyoung loses her sense of identity.
A must read. Dealing with themes of gender, sacrifice, family, motherhood, mysticism, sexuality and relationships. Kim Jiyoung Born 1982 is educational and emboldens my feminist beliefs. A world run by misogynistic, apathetic men, is a broken one. The cultural knowledge gave clarity to the actions of my Korean boss at Gammeeok. To him women aren’t valued and seen as a nuisance. Smashing the patriarchy globally is for the betterment of the world. Times up boys. Via: Amazon