My Complicated Feelings About ‘Kim Ji-yeong, Born 1982’ Novel

Have you ever regretted reading a book — which one and why?

Last year, in 2025, I wanted to take part in a writing challenge held by a blogging community. The challenge was to write about an adaptation of a work of art into another medium. I figured it would be easier to choose a book-to-film adaptation.

I almost chose Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 (2019), which was based on a novel of the almost same title, Kim Ji-yeong, Born in 1982. Since I had already watched the movie, I thought reading the book would be an easier task.

If you’ve never heard of or read this novel—or watched the movie—it’s about a woman named Kim Ji-yeong who loses her sense of identity and becomes depressed after having a baby and becoming a housewife. Her depression is caused by social pressure and the overwhelming responsibilities of being a housewife.

The movie starred Jung Yu-mi as Kim Ji-yeong and Gong Yoo as her husband. It told pretty much the same story as the book, but in a more efficient way. I understood the main character’s position as a wife dealing with everyday responsibilities and gradually losing herself as a person. Though the climax scene did make me raise an eyebrow, I understood that it was meant to highlight the severity of her depression.

I actually bought the book and read it, obviously. Only then did I realize that the story was written from the perspective of a woman who was disappointed by the unequal way her parents raised her and her siblings. She was also angry about how society pressures women to become wives and abandon their dreams. Women are expected to suppress their feelings and disappointment while watching men or other siblings become the center and priority of the family.

My problem is with the way the author portrays the perspective of an oppressed daughter and wife, who seems to feel burdened by her responsibilities as a wife and mother. I understand that Kim is under enormous pressure from what society and her family expect of her.

And as a mother who was once overwhelmed after having a new baby, of course I understand what she’s dealing with. I once felt like Kim, too. After I got married, I resigned from my job, and I understand what it feels like to miss being a working woman—although I’ve moved past that feeling now.

But I think the real problem is that the author, or perhaps Kim herself, seems to deny the responsibilities that come with being a mother and wife, while expecting the husband to understand her situation. Not every husband can do much about it, either, unless he is willing and able to share the responsibilities of taking care of the house and children equally. After all, many husbands also have to work to support their families.

Anyway, I think the message of the movie was quite clear: being a housewife can be lonely and overwhelming. Having to maintain a good image in front of the husband’s family can add even more pressure.

This is where I think the husband should remain neutral: he should be a supportive husband who respects his wife’s rights and feelings, while also being a good son to his own family. Finding that balance may not be easy, but perhaps that is part of the responsibility of being a husband.

Well, I think I’ve been dissing this novel/movie a little too much. Despite my criticisms, I want to say to Cho Nam-joo, the author: thank you for putting the loneliness and struggles of housewives under the microscope from an Asian perspective. I think there are so many Kim Ji-yeongs out there whose struggles go unnoticed. And honestly, that’s a little scary, because mothers play such an important role in shaping the home and their children’s world.

In case you’re wondering, here’s other movie reviews and Korean drama series you can read in this blog. Thanks for reading my perspective of this novel. Thoughts?