Han Kang the first Korean to win a Nobel Prize in Literature

Han Kang the first Korean to win a Nobel Prize in Literature

Han Kang the first Korean to win a Nobel Prize in Literature

The Swedish Academy announced the Nobel prizes for the year 2024. The awards were given in physics, chemistry, literature, peace, and medicine. This year, David Baker from the U.S. is at the forefront of computational protein design, making strides in how we understand and engineer proteins. Meanwhile, U.K. innovator Demis Hassabis and U.S. researcher John M. Jumper are pushing the boundaries of protein structure prediction, transforming our grasp of biological systems. The peace advocacy group Nihon Hidankyo from Japan is dedicated to promoting nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful world.

In physics, John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, representing the U.S. and U.K./Canada respectively, have made groundbreaking contributions that have laid the groundwork for machine learning with artificial neural networks. Lastly, in physiology and medicine, the work of Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, both from the U.S., on microRNA has been revolutionary, shedding light on its vital role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.

Finally, Han Kang, a well-known South Korean author known for her novel "The Vegetarian," has won the Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first writer from South Korea to receive this award, which shows her important role in the world of literature.

Mats Malm, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, spoke at a news conference in Stockholm, announcing that Han Kang was being honored for her "intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life."

Han Kang, born on November 27, 1970, is a well-known South Korean author recognized for her novel "The Vegetarian," which explores a woman's mental health issues and family neglect. In 2016, she became the first Korean Author to win the International Booker Prize for fiction. In 2023, the Royal Society of Literature honored her by including her in its International Writers program.

Han Kang the first Korean

Han Kang, the daughter of novelist Han Seung-won, was born on November 27, 1970, in Gwangju and moved to Suyu-ri in Seoul as a child. Her father struggled with his writing career, which affected the family’s situation. Han has characterized her childhood as "too much for a little child," though she found comfort in the books that surrounded her.

She studied Korean literature at Yonsei University and, in 1998, participated in the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa.

Career

Han Kang's literary career began with her poems in the Winter 1993 issue of Literature and Society. The next year, she made her fiction debut when her short story "The Scarlet Anchor" won the Seoul Shinmun Spring Literary Contest. Her first collection, A Love of Yeosu, published in 1995, was noted for its clear and engaging storytelling.

In 2007, Han released A Song to Sing Calmly, a creative project that combined a book with a music album. Although she was initially reluctant to sing, musician Han Jung Rim encouraged her to perform the songs.

During her college years, a line from modernist poet Yi Sang—"I believe that humans should be plants"—had a profound impact on her. This idea, which reflects on Korea’s colonial history, inspired her well-known novel The Vegetarian. The second part of this trilogy, Mongolian Mark, won the Yi Sang Literary Award, although there were delays in completing the series.

The Vegetarian was her first novel translated into English and received widespread acclaim, winning the International Booker Prize in 2016. This made her the first Korean author to achieve this honor, and the book was also named one of  The New York Times's best books of the year.

Her next work, The White Book, was shortlisted for the 2018 International Booker Prize. At the same time, her novel Human Acts, released in early 2016, won the Premio Malaparte for its Italian translation, addressing the trauma of the Gwangju Uprising.

In 2021, she published We Do Not Part, which looks at the historical impact of the 1948-49 Jeju uprising on families. Its French translation won the Prix Médicis Étranger in 2023.

Most recently, in 2023, her fourth novel, Greek Lessons, was translated into English. Critics have praised it for exploring the complexities of language. Han’s work continues to grow, showcasing her unique voice and perspective.

In a delightful interview, Han Kang, the first South Korean laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature, shared her surprise and honor at receiving the prestigious award right after a cozy dinner with her son in Seoul. She spoke warmly about her deep connection to literature, crediting countless writers for inspiring her throughout her life. While she found it difficult to pinpoint specific influences, she did mention the impact of Astrid Lindgren’s Lionheart Brothers on her childhood. For those new to her work, she enthusiastically recommended her latest book, We Do Not Part, which she believes is a great entry point, alongside her earlier titles like Human Acts and The White Book. Reflecting on her writing of The Vegetarian, Han described the intense three years spent crafting it, filled with vivid imagery and personal struggle. As the conversation wrapped up, she expressed her intention to celebrate the Nobel Prize quietly over tea with her son, highlighting her gratitude for the recognition and its significance for Korean literature.

In conclusion, Han Kang’s journey from her childhood in Gwangju to becoming the first South Korean to win the Nobel Prize in Literature highlights her incredible talent. Her books tackle deep themes like trauma and identity, making important contributions to literature. With her unique storytelling, she invites readers to explore complex human experiences. As she celebrates this achievement, Han Kang’s influence will continue to grow, inspiring future writers and readers alike.