In terms of the trends on electronic products and cultural economy, Korea certainly plays a leading role in the world. It is hard to conceive that many Korean women are still living an obsolete lifestyle in such an accelerated cultural and economic environment. Written by an insider who has witnessed and experienced the deprivation of women in various Korean settings, Cho Nam-Joo’s debut novel "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" (2016) depicts the life of a typical Korean young woman. The story of the protagonist Kim Jiyoung is narrated through events that reveal rooted gender bias and sexist discrimination during the different stages of her life. Each of the scenarios depicted mark the necessary torture imposed upon Korean women. Under such an ideological context, women’s individuality is eventually prosecuted. Through this novel, this presentation aims to examine how the unfavorable cultural environment to women in Korea gives rise to the tragic rebirth of the Victorian gender codes as suggested by Coventry Patmore in his long poem "The Angel in the House" (1854). Owing to the antiquated nature of Korean gender norms, criticisms from 20th century female writers and activists who reacted against Patmore’s patriarchal framework would be adopted in measuring the progress of Korean feminism in the contemporary setting.

Authors:
Chi Sum Garfield Lau, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Chi Sum Garfield Lau is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Hong Kong Metropolitan University in Hong Kong

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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