Kim Ji-Young: Born 1982
A subtle film with a strong message on gender inequality, it portrays middle-class Korean families in a classic fashion, and values marriage and family.
Technical assessment: 3.5 ★★★✬✩
Moral assessment: 3.5 ★★★✬✩
CINEMA rating: V 13
MTRCB rating: PG
Kim Ji-Young (Jung Yu-mi) leads an ordinary life as stay-at-home wife to Jung Dae-Hyun (Gong Yoo) and as a mother to their infant daughter. As a former corporate executive in an advertising company, she struggles to make sense of her present as she misses work and memories of various stages of her life flash back with strong impression of gender inequality and discrimination as she was born at a time when women in her country are measured up based on their husbands, fathers, children and all the other male in their life. This takes a toll on her mental health as she exhibits episodes of being somebody else thereby affecting her marriage and family life.
Kim Ji-Young: Born 1982 is a subtle film yet its message speaks so loudly — challenging the oppression of women in a male-dominated society. The narrative is simple — no hysteria, no melodrama and yet very effective. Based on a best-selling novel, it is a breakthrough film in South Korean culture as it bravely tackles misogyny and gender inequality prevalent in that country. Amidst its controversial stance, the film — directed by a woman, Kim Do-Young — pushes through with its agenda. Jung and Gong pull off their roles well while riding on their popularity to make the film a box-office-hit as well. The flat plotline signifies the long and tired struggle of women in society. One can feel that level of weariness and monotony that even the best effort of Jung Dae-Hyun as a “modern” husband seems meaningless, given the burden being carried by Kim Ji-Young since she was a child. The real gem of the film is its straightforward courage in truth telling and the nuanced portrayal of the lead cast. The script and the dialogue are all well-written and every detail of the film flows smoothly in an ensemble.
The oppression of women is a deeply-rooted universal issue that has no simple solution unless recognized by the family, state, church and society. The very first step is to acknowledge that there exists gender inequality and that it is a problem. The film resists strongly gender discrimination in any form — where women and mothers are being looked-upon as cockroaches without shame in public places, and many other similar instances. In a society that favors men in the family and in the workplace, women are crying for equal treatment. The film does not discredit in any way the significant role being played a mother in the family — but says it’s high time everyone realized that there should be no superior gender, as women and men are equal in capabilities, their only difference being their reproductive anatomical make-up. Only women can bear a child — and coming with it are the other hormonal differences that affect emotions. That’s all, nothing more, nothing less. Kim Ji-Young: Born 1982 portrays middle-class Korean families in a classic fashion, showing how the film values marriage and family, making the film generally sound — yet , given the seriousness of the issue, parents are highly encouraged to guide the very young audiences watching the film. — RPJ
DIRECTOR: Kim Do-young; LEAD CAST: Jung Yu-mi, Gong Yoo, Kim Mi-kyung, Park Sung-yeon, Gong Min-jung, Kim Sung-cheol, Lee Eol PRODUCER: Mo Il-young, Kwak Hee-jin, Park Ji-young;SCREENWRITER: Yoo Young-a, Kim Do-young; STORY BY: Cho Nam-joo; BASED ON: Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo; CINEMATOGRAPHER: Lee Sung-jae; PRODUCTION COMPANY: Lotte Entertainment; DISTRIBUTOR: Lotte Entertainment; COUNTRY: South Korea LANGUAGE: Korean (with English sub-titles) RUNNING TIME: 120 minutes;
