Now a Million Seller... Han Kang's Book Sells One Million Copies in Six Days After Nobel Prize Announcement

Total Sales Surpass 1 Million Copies
Novel Sales Surge After Award
'Han Kang Fever' Continues in Bookstores

On the 11th, the bookshelf of author Han Kang, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature, was empty at Kyobo Bookstore in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The Swedish Academy selected Korean novelist Han Kang as the Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. Han Kang is the first Korean author to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The novelist Han Kang, the first Asian woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, has surpassed a total sales volume of 1 million copies.

According to major bookstores such as Kyobo Bookstore on the 16th, Han Kang's books exceeded 1 million copies as of 9 a.m. that day. A total of 1,032,000 copies were sold through Kyobo Bookstore, Yes24, and Aladin. Online, these three companies hold nearly 90% of the market share. Among her works, "The Boy Who Escaped," "The Vegetarian," and "Never Let Me Go" recorded the highest sales. Consequently, the bestseller lists are dominated by her works. Currently, Han Kang's books occupy ranks 1 to 10 at Kyobo Bookstore and ranks 1 to 9 at Yes24. At Aladin, 9 out of the top 10 are also her works.

Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature sparked a "Han Kang fever" in the publishing industry, which had been stagnant. According to the Integrated Publishing Distribution Network, daily book sales revenue in October ranged from 3 billion to 5.1 billion KRW before the Nobel announcement, but increased to 6.3 billion KRW on the 10th when the award was announced, and soared to 9.3 billion KRW on the 11th. Especially, sales in the novel category rose sharply from 16,483 copies on the 9th to 49,656 copies on the 10th, and 123,512 copies on the 11th. Currently, Han Kang's books are experiencing shortages nationwide.

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Government quickly exhibited 10 of Han Kang's books at three outdoor libraries in Seoul: Book Reading Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Book Yard, and Book Reading Clear Stream. Additionally, Jongno-gu, where Han Kang is known to reside, hung congratulatory banners celebrating her award throughout the district, including the traditional pavilion in front of Tongin Market. The banners read, "Pride of 630 years of Jongno, Congratulations to writer Han Kang on receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature." A Jongno-gu official said, "We are grateful for raising pride in our literature," and added, "We will remember this glorious moment for a long time with the residents of Jongno-gu and the people of the Republic of Korea." Literary critic and writer Jung Yeoul also appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" on the 14th, expressing joy by saying, "The publishing industry has faced its greatest crisis since the founding of Korea in recent years, but Han Kang's Nobel Prize has revitalized it," and "Her award has given hope to children, adolescents, and young people who dream of writing."