Han Kang Wins Nobel Prize in Literature! A New Chapter for Korean Literature Opens to the World

On October 10, 2024, as literature fans across Japan watched with bated breath, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature was announced. The honor went to Han Kang (53), a female author from South Korea. This achievement, the first for an Asian woman, has generated a huge response not only in Korea but also worldwide.

"At Last, They Understand": A Translator Discusses the Worldview of Han Kang's Literature

Han Kang's works are praised for delicately portraying the universal wounds and fragility of the human heart, while using South Korean social conditions and historical events as their subjects. Her powerful and poetic prose has captivated many readers, and her works have been translated and published in 28 language regions around the world.

Choi Kyung-nan, who translates Han Kang's works into French, said that upon hearing the news of the award, she felt, "At last, they understand." France tends to be conservative towards foreign literature, but in recent years, due to the influence of the Korean Wave, interest in Korean literature has been increasing. Choi analyzes that the universal theme of "human violence" present in Han Kang's works may have resonated with French readers.

From "The Vegetarian" to "The White Book": A Narrative Woven from Diverse Works

"The Vegetarian," known as one of Han Kang's representative works, depicts the conflict of a woman who suddenly refuses to eat meat, portraying social norms and repressed human desires. In 2016, it won the Man Booker International Prize, bringing Han Kang's name to the world.

Her latest novel, "The White Book," is a work based on the Jeju April 3rd Incident, focusing on the themes of human memory, loss, and healing. The French version won the Médicis Foreign Novel Award last year, which could be seen as a stepping stone to the Nobel Prize.

Nobel Prize Win a "Natural Consequence": Towards a New Horizon for Korean Literature

Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature is a momentous occasion for the Korean literary world, opening up new possibilities. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a congratulatory message, calling it "a great achievement in the history of Korean literature, and a national celebration that makes the entire nation rejoice."

In Japan, Han Kang's works have long been enjoyed by many readers, and the award is expected to draw even more attention. Bookstores have set up special corners, with many of her works displayed prominently.

Han Kang's works are not only valuable resources for understanding Korean history and social issues deeply but also highly regarded as universal literary works that delve into the essence of human existence. This Nobel Prize win reaffirms Korean literature's position as a key part of world literature and will undoubtedly provide significant stimulation for the future development of Korean literature.

In Celebration of Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature

Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature is a significant event for the Korean literary world and the world of literature as a whole. Her works, while using Korean society and history as a backdrop, deal with universal human themes and have deeply moved readers around the globe.

The "powerful and poetic prose" cited as a reason for the award accurately reflects the appeal of Han Kang's work. Her writing is delicate yet powerful, deeply resonating with the reader's heart.

This award is proof of the global recognition of Korean literature and will greatly encourage its future development. Furthermore, as the first Asian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, this will surely inspire women writers around the world.

We hope that through Han Kang's works, you can once again experience the charm of Korean literature and the profound depths of the human heart.