Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature Triumph: "Long Anticipated, but the Timing Is a Shock"

The publishing industry has responded to novelist Han Kang's remarkable achievement of winning the Nobel Prize in Literature with both shock and a sense that it was a long-anticipated event.

In fact, Han Kang has been considered a strong candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature both domestically and internationally ever since she won the International Booker Prize in 2016 for her novel "The Vegetarian." The Booker Prize is regarded as one of the most prestigious literary awards in the English-speaking world. Han further heightened expectations for the Nobel Prize last year when she received France's esteemed Prix M?dicis, as she was recognized as a leading writer not only in the English-speaking world but also in French literary circles.

The Nobel Prize in Literature, the Booker Prize, and the Prix Goncourt are commonly cited as the world's three major literary awards. However, the Prix Goncourt is awarded to works written in French by French nationals. For foreign authors who write in French, the Prix M?dicis and the Prix Femina are considered highly prestigious in France. Han Kang was shortlisted for both awards last year for her novel "I Do Not Bid Farewell," ultimately winning the Prix M?dicis.

Jang Eunsoo, former CEO of Minumsa and current head of the Editorial Culture Laboratory, explained, "Having already won the Booker Prize and last year's Prix M?dicis in France, as well as being a finalist for the Prix Femina, had a significant impact. In fact, the Nobel Prize in Literature was the only major award left for her to win." Jang added, "Although the publishing industry is in shock, I personally believe the Nobel Prize went to the writer who truly deserved it."

Regarding the reasons behind Han Kang's award, Jang explained, "She has been highly praised for her honest confrontation with the deep historical and social wounds embedded in Korean society, particularly those experienced by women throughout Korea's modern history." Jang continued, "While many writers become absorbed in internal monologues or stories close to themselves, Han Kang has not shied away from directly addressing issues such as the Gwangju Democratization Movement, the Jeju 4·3 Incident, and the violence inherent in patriarchy-issues that are still subjects of historical debate and are deeply ingrained in the structure of Korean society. This has been highly valued. In fact, this is what literature is supposed to do."

Indeed, when the Swedish Academy announced Han Kang as the laureate, it praised her for writing powerful poetic prose that confronts historical trauma.

Han Kang addressed the Gwangju Uprising in her 2014 novel "Human Acts" and the Jeju 4·3 Incident in her 2021 novel "I Do Not Bid Farewell." She received the Manhae Literary Award in 2014 and the Malaparte Prize in 2017 for "Human Acts." For "I Do Not Bid Farewell," she won the Prix M?dicis for foreign literature last year and the ?mile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature this year, as well as the Daesan Literary Award and the Kim Manjung Literary Award in 2022.

Jang also drew attention to the Swedish Academy's reference to "dialogue between the living and the dead," analyzing that Han Kang's unique expressive style in "Human Acts" and "I Do Not Bid Farewell" was highly regarded.

"In our culture, there is a tradition of calling upon the souls of the dead to listen to their stories and thereby resolve their grievances. This is reflected in 'Human Acts' and 'I Do Not Bid Farewell.' While this feels very natural to us, it appears to have been seen as quite unique abroad. Elements of shamanistic imagination deeply rooted in Korean culture have been transformed into the language of poetry, and this has been recognized as contributing to the expansion of literary imagination."

In this regard, the Swedish Academy commented, "Han Kang possesses a unique perception of the connection between body and soul, the living and the dead, and has become an innovator of contemporary prose with her poetic and experimental style."

This is the second time a Korean has won a Nobel Prize, following former President Kim Dae-jung's Nobel Peace Prize in 2000. Han Kang is the 18th female writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature and the first Asian woman to do so.

Han Kang was born in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do in 1970. She began her literary career in 1993 by publishing five poems, including "Winter in Seoul," in the journal Literature and Society. The following year, her short story "The Scarlet Anchor" was selected in the Seoul Shinmun New Year's Literary Contest, marking the start of her career as a writer.

Her works include the novels "Black Deer," "Your Cold Hand," "The Vegetarian," "The Wind Blows, Go," "Greek Lessons," "Human Acts," "The White Book," "I Do Not Bid Farewell," the short story collections "Love in Yeosu," "The Fruit of My Woman," "Yellow Mullet Sanctuary," and the poetry collection "I Put the Evening in the Drawer." She has received numerous awards, including the Manhae Literary Award, Dongri Literary Award, Yi Sang Literary Award, Today's Young Artist Award, International Booker Prize, Malaparte Prize, and Prix M?dicis.