Nobel Prize winner does not celebrate
Han Kang’s famous works include “The Vegetarian”, “The White Book”, “Human Acts” and “Greek Lessons”. Before receiving the prestigious Nobel Prize, Han Kang was already a prominent name in Korean literature. In 2016, “The Vegetarian” won the International Booker Prize. Her book “I Do Not Bid Farewell” won the Prix Medicis (France’s Medici Prize).
In response to the great victory, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed that this was a great achievement in the history of Korean literature and brought joy to all the people, according to The Korea Times. CWN reported that immediately after the Swedish Academy announced Han Kang's victory, more than 60,000 copies of the book were sold at the famous Kyobo bookstore chain, more than 70,000 copies at the Yes24 e-commerce platform. The online trading platform Coupang announced that Han Kang's books were "sold out".
South Koreans celebrated Han Kang's achievements, but the author refused to hold a press conference and did not celebrate after receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature. Han Kang's father, famous novelist Han Seung Won (85 years old), shared with the Korean media: "Han Kang told me that there are many fierce wars in the world, many people died, how can we celebrate. Han Kang's perspective has changed from a writer living in Korea to the consciousness of a global writer."
“The Swedish Academy does not award this prize for our enjoyment, but to keep our minds clear,” Han Kang told her father. Her father was puzzled by her words. Han Kang’s humility and silence contrasted with the hounding of readers who wanted to read books written by the first Korean author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
When awarding the Nobel Prize in Literature to Han Kang, critics said that her works “face historical trauma head-on, exposing the fragility of human life”. Han Kang’s works contain anxiety and worry, and explore many heavy topics such as mental illness, violence, and mental trauma. Her characters often struggle with inner turmoil and social pressure...
Writing about darkness and wounds
According to The Korea Times, after graduating from university in 1993, Han Kang began her literary career by publishing four poems in the winter edition of the quarterly literary magazine “Literature and Society.” She was a culture reporter. Han Kang’s first short story, “Red Anchor,” won a literary contest held by the Seoul Shinmun.
She published many short stories and novels, wrote poetry and children's literature, such as the poetry collection "I put the evening in the drawer" and the books "My name is sunflower" and "Tearbox" for young readers.
From 2007 to 2018, Han Kang taught fiction writing at the Seoul Academy of the Arts. Her students describe her as “a professor who captivates students with her sensitivity and charisma.” Throughout her 30-year writing career, the writer has quietly created and conveyed her torment and pain through her unique, contemplative writing style.
Han Kang’s most recent work, “We Do Not Part,” published in 2021, depicts the tragedy of the 1948 Jeju Island massacre from the perspective of three women. She revealed that it took her seven years to complete the novel. “When I finished the novel, it was the happiest moment for me,” the author confided.
Han Kang's most famous and successful book - The Vegetarian - tells the story of Yeong Hye, a housewife whose life is at a standstill, who experiences a nightmare that makes her decide to stop eating meat. The main character's choice to stop eating meat leads to a series of crises because her family thinks she is rebelling against and hating the family.
Boyd Tonkin - Chairman of the 2016 International Booker Prize Jury - once commented that Han Kang has a writing style that is both poetic and sharp, creating a powerful message that will stay long in the readers' minds.
Han Kang’s recent novels, from “Human Acts” to “We Do Not Part,” have largely dealt with the darkness and trauma of Korea’s modern history. Still, Han Kang says she wants to shift gears to write brighter stories.
