Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982: A Novel

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is a best-selling novel by Korean writer Cho Nam-Joo that addresses themes of Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination, Motherhood and Career Trajectory, and Shared Experiences Among Women. Published in 2016, the novel resonated with readers due to its publication during Korea’s #MeToo movement and in the wake of a high-profile act of misogynistic violence. The book became a flashpoint for conversations about gender inequality in Korean society. Translations into 18 languages demonstrated the resonance of its themes globally. Cho studied sociology and later wrote for a television program based on current events. She grounds her fictional narrative in a wealth of statistics and labor data—complete with footnotes—to create a hybrid form that is both creatively imagined and research-supported. In 2019, the book was adapted into a critically and commercially successful South Korean film.

This study guide refers to the English translation by Jamie Chang, published in a paperback edition by Liveright in 2020.

Plot Summary

Kim Jiyoung is a new mother living in Seoul, South Korea, with her husband Daehyun. Jiyoung starts behaving strangely one morning, reciting a

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