Kim Ji Young, Born 1982

An international bestseller- Kim Ji Young, Born 1982's publishing rights have been sold to about 17 countries till date. The novel pens down the story of women. It is a book which shows their everyday juggle in the society and their various challenges beautifully conveyed by the main character Kim Ji Young (a woman in her 30s) who is put through trials in her family life, workplace and the larger society. Her life from childhood to adulthood i.e. as a young girl, a mother, an employee is portrayed in the book which not only brings out her character but the voices of all women of the world.

Being an international bestseller, it shows how relatable "women" feel, how much shame they get for giving birth to a daughter, and their being questioned for their work ethics for merely being a woman; receiving lower pay than their male counterparts and being held accountable for people stalking them (as written when the character was reminded of the time when she was returning home from her school and was stalked by a male student, when voicing out the incident to her father he advises her to dress appropriately and not smile). Such views are implanted in our society and how women as a whole suffer due to them. Similarly, the main character goes on through her journey sometimes starting in space, feeling distanced as she leaves her job to take care of her newborn daughter and is thrown jeers on by her mother in law for being so incompetent. Eventually, she was advised to meet a psychiatrist by her concerned husband.

This typical story of a mother, of a daughter and a girl's life seems regular yet powerful. The book ignited feminists' movements within the highly economically developed yet socially conservative Korean society where women voiced their opinions vehemently- receiving heavy criticism deeming how the "challenges" in Kim Ji young's life states true.

In an interview with NPR, author Cho shared- "I thought of Kim Ji Young's character as a vessel that contains experiences and emotions that are common to every Korean woman!! And not only Korean women, the society should contain this book. "