Meet Han Kang, Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature

Meet Han Kang, Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature

As an admirer of literature, I find myself deeply moved by the achievements of Han Kang, a South Korean author whose profound and thought-provoking works have touched the hearts of countless readers around the world. Her Nobel Prize in Literature is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to her craft.


On October 10th, as stated by The Royal Swedish Academy’s press announcement, author Han Kang received the Nobel Prize in Literature, recognized for her powerful and poetic writing style.

Kang’s scholarly endeavors center around “past atrocities,” colonial brutality, and the delicate nature of human existence, as furthered by the academic community. Notably acclaimed, the South Korean writer is recognized for works such as “The Vegetarian” – which garnered the International Booker prize in 2016 – “The White Book, Human Acts, and Greek Lessons“. Unlike the Nobel Prize for literature, this award is bestowed upon an author’s entire oeuvre rather than a single piece of work. In recognition of his literary achievements, Kang has received 11m krona ($1.1 million) – the prize money equivalent to $1.1 million.

Kang expressed her astonishment and gratitude upon hearing the news, sharing her feelings with the Nobel Museum over a phone call. As someone who was raised amidst Korean literature, she feels a strong connection to it. She hopes this recognition brings joy to readers of Korean literature and her fellow writers. To celebrate, she plans on having a peaceful cup of tea with her son.

As an ardent film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Kang is the groundbreaking figure who became the first individual from South Korea, as well as the first Asian woman, to be bestowed with the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature.

Anna-Karin Palm, a member of the Nobel Committee for Literature, noted in an interview with the Nobel Prize Museum following the announcement that Han Kang’s writing is both intensely poetic and powerfully raw. She observed that while there is a consistent thread in the themes he explores, each book offers a unique take or fresh interpretation of these core ideas due to the significant stylistic differences between them.

Kang, aged 53, has been a writer for more than three decades, but it was only in 2015 that her first novel, “The Vegetarian,” first published in 2007, gained recognition in English. This work brought her widespread praise and attention. Among her other accomplishments, she has received awards such as the Manhae literary prize and the Kim Yujung Literary Prize.

Born in Gwangju in 1970, Kang resided in Suyuri during her childhood and now calls Seoul home. She pursued Korean literature at Yonsei University. Her initial published works were five poems in 1993, marking her literary debut with a short story the following year. Notably, it was her book The Vegetarian that raised her international prominence. This novel revolves around a woman who decides to abstain from eating meat after experiencing gruesome dreams about livestock butchery. It delves into concepts of solitude, societal expectations, and brutality.

Apart from the ex-President of South Korea, Kim Dae-jung, there’s only one other South Korean individual who has been awarded a Nobel Prize. This honor was bestowed upon him in 2000, for his dedication to reestablishing democracy within South Korea and his diplomatic approach, known as the “sunshine policy,” towards North Korea.

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2024-10-10 20:06

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