A Crowd of Reporters at the Private Event... Hangang Expresses Apologies and Shares Thoughts

The award ceremony for the "18th PonyJeong Innovation Award," held on the afternoon of the 17th at PonyJeong Hall in I-Park Tower, Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, was a private event. However, roughly over 100 domestic and international reporters gathered. This was because the recipient was Han Kang, the first Korean novelist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The ceremony was scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Although arriving at the venue somewhat early, the scene was already packed with reporters to the point where there was no room to squeeze in.

The press took control of the main lobby on the first floor of the building, waiting for Han Kang to pass by. About five minutes before the event started, officials informed that Han Kang had already entered PonyJeong Hall, located inside on the first floor, through the back door. Some reporters dispersed, but about 30 remained, continuing to gaze at the firmly closed doors of PonyJeong Hall from a distance.

The event began at 5 p.m. Although the ceremony itself could not be seen, the sounds from the venue were transmitted to the reporters in the lobby through speakers. After the national anthem, introduction of guests, and a video introducing Han Kang, the moment finally came when Han Kang was announced as the award recipient. Some reporters applauded, though the sound did not seem to reach Han Kang.

Writer Han Kang attended as an award recipient at the 18th PonyJeong Innovation Awards ceremony held on the 17th at PonyJeong Hall, I'Park Tower, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and took a commemorative photo. The ceremony was attended by writer Han Kang, Jeong Mong-gyu, chairman of HDC and chairman of the foundation, and Park Young-ja, wife of the late Jeong Se-young, honorary chairman of Hyundai Development Company. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Originally, the foundation had issued a press release that morning stating the ceremony would be a private event, and that Han Kang would not give any remarks or answer questions related to the Nobel Prize. However, reporters could not ignore Han Kang’s first public appearance after achieving the greatest success in Korean literary history, and Han Kang ultimately shared her thoughts and feelings about receiving the Nobel Prize before delivering her acceptance speech for the Innovation Award. She began by apologizing.

"Originally, a press conference was scheduled two days ago, and if it had taken place, many people would not have had to come here, and it would not have caused this much inconvenience to those who prepared this event. I feel sorry about that."

Han Kang said, "When I first received the notification from the Nobel Committee, I didn’t really feel it was real, so I just tried to stay calm and have a conversation." She added, "After hanging up and checking the media reports, that was when it finally felt real." She continued, "It was a very joyful and grateful moment, so I quietly celebrated that night." She said, "Since then, many people have sincerely and warmly congratulated me," and "The past week will remain a special and moving memory for me."

Han Kang said she hopes to finish the new novel she is currently writing by the first half of next year and meet her readers. She also hopes to continue focusing on writing even after winning the Nobel Prize in Literature.

"I believe and hope that my daily life will not change much from before. I am someone who connects with the world through the writing I do, so I want to keep writing as I have until now and meet readers through my books."

The ceremony ended at 5:37 p.m. As the doors of PonyJeong Hall opened and participants poured out, Han Kang’s figure was nowhere to be seen. The reporters gathered in small groups in the lobby, finishing their articles with mixed feelings of joy and regret.