1 Million Copies of Han River Novel Sold in 5 Days
A Catalyst for the Renaissance of Korean Humanities
Author Han Kang is receiving significant attention in the literary world both domestically and internationally as the first Korean woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. This award is not merely a personal honor but has established itself as a historic event representing the cultural achievements of Korean literature and Korean society. In particular, the literary community is revisiting Han Kang's background and literary world, engaging in in-depth discussions on how her Nobel Prize has transformed the status of Korean literature.
Han Kang was born in November 1970 in Gwangju. Her father, Han Seung-won, is also a well-known senior novelist in the literary world, and Han Kang’s journey as a writer began naturally. She graduated from Gwangju Hyodeung Elementary School and moved to Seoul to enroll in Yonsei University’s Korean Literature Department. As a member of the class of 1989, Han Kang took her first step as a writer by winning the Yun Dong-ju Literary Award in her senior year at Yonsei University. From that time, her unique sensitivity and profound perspective began to attract attention, which later led to her representative works.
Born into a Family of Cultural Artists
Han Kang’s family is also deeply involved in literature and the arts. Her father, Han Seung-won, wrote the original novel for the film Aje Aje Bara Aje, greatly influencing Han Kang’s literary sensibility. Her older brother, Han Gyu-ho, is active as a children’s book author and novelist, while her younger sibling, Han Kang-in, is known as a cartoonist and novelist. Han Kang’s ex-husband, Hong Yong-hee, also worked as a literary critic and served as a literary partner alongside Han Kang. Inheriting this literary tradition within her family, Han Kang opened a new chapter in Korean literature.
Since her debut, Han Kang has received much attention, especially after her work The Vegetarian won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, drawing global literary attention. The Vegetarian tells the story of a female protagonist who refuses to eat meat, posing philosophical questions about human nature, violence, and freedom. Its unique narrative and powerful imagery captivated readers worldwide. This work became the turning point that established Han Kang as a global author. Subsequently, Han Kang continued to build her international reputation by exploring the pains and wounds of Korean society through various works such as Human Acts, White, and Mommy.
The Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to Han Kang carries significance beyond her fame from The Vegetarian. The Nobel Committee highly praised Han Kang’s works for delicately addressing the tragedies of modern Korean history and social anguish. Among the works they highlighted was Human Acts, a novel set against the backdrop of the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement. This work sensitively deals with the pain and wounds of that time while delivering a profound emotional impact to readers. It demonstrates that Han Kang’s literary achievements are not merely artistic but also embody a writer’s mission to heal Korea’s historical wounds. The Nobel Committee regarded these works as key reasons for Han Kang’s Nobel Prize award.
Immediately after the award announcement, banners celebrating Han Kang’s achievement were hung in her hometown of Gwangju and her current residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Yonsei University and her alma maters also held various events commemorating her award. Through this recognition, not only Han Kang’s literary accomplishments but also her journey and the development process of Korean literature are being reexamined.
The publishing industry has also regained great vitality following this award. Changbi Publishers, which published Han Kang’s representative works, reported a sharp increase in sales of several titles, including The Vegetarian. Her books sold over one million copies shortly after release, bringing significant changes to the Korean publishing industry. Changbi is known as a leading publisher representing progressive trends in literature and has received even greater attention through this award. After news of Han Kang’s award spread, readers flocked to bookstores, reigniting interest not only in her books but also in Korean literature as a whole.
Deborah Smith, the English Translator, Also in the Spotlight
Meanwhile, Deborah Smith, who translated Han Kang’s works into English overseas, is once again receiving attention. Smith is a self-taught Korean language learner who introduced Han Kang’s works to the world through English translations. Notably, Smith’s translation of The Vegetarian won the Man Booker International Prize, enabling Han Kang’s works to reach a global audience. Based on her affection for the Korean language and literature, Smith has continuously strived to promote Korean literature worldwide. She studied Korean with scholarships and support received in Korea and dedicated herself to translating Han Kang’s works. Smith uses the Korean-style name “Kim Bora,” expressing her deep solidarity with Korea. Her efforts are widely recognized as having significantly contributed to Han Kang’s Nobel Prize in Literature.
As discussions about Han Kang’s literary world expand following the award, her other works are also being reexamined. In particular, Mommy deals with the Jeju 4.3 Incident, delicately portraying the tragedies of modern Korean history. Through this, Han Kang depicts the process of confronting and healing past wounds, delivering a profound message to Korean society and the literary community. Her works play an important role not only as literary achievements but also in healing and remembering the scars of Korean society and history.
Since the award, Han Kang has refrained from official press conferences or public comments. Shortly after the Nobel Prize announcement in Sweden, she expressed brief remarks, stating that it was inappropriate to celebrate while countries like Ukraine and Israel are at war. Han Kang conveyed her desire to quietly continue her writing activities and is reported to be currently immersed in her work. This approach has earned her great respect in Korean society and offers insight into her literary passion and philosophy.
Nevertheless, Han Kang’s award has sparked various reactions both domestically and internationally. Some conservative groups raised objections to her works addressing historical events, staging protests in front of the Swedish Embassy in Korea. They claimed that Han Kang’s works distort modern Korean history and called for the Nobel Prize to be revoked. However, most readers and the literary community regard Han Kang’s works not as mere historical narration but as attempts to record past pain and learn lessons from it, celebrating and supporting her Nobel Prize award.
Is the Era of Literary Youth Returning?
This award has become an opportunity to showcase not only Korean literature but also the cultural and humanistic achievements of Korean society to the world. Experts evaluate Han Kang’s award as an event that goes beyond simple literary accomplishment, elevating the status of Korean society and the humanities and opening new possibilities. Especially notable is the enthusiasm of the younger generation of readers flocking to bookstores for Han Kang’s works, raising hopes for a revival of literary and reading culture. This recalls the era when terms like “literary boys” and “literary girls” were popular. Just as there was a time when many young people sought literature in bookstores, wrote poetry, and dreamed of becoming novelists, there is great expectation that Han Kang’s award will mark the beginning of a new golden age for Korean literature.
Han Kang is scheduled to attend the Nobel Prize in Literature ceremony held in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 10. She is expected to quietly uphold her literary convictions and convey the messages of Korean literature and Korean society to the world. Han Kang’s award is not only a major achievement for the Korean literary community but also serves as a reminder of the importance of the humanities and literature throughout Korean society. Experts assess that this award presents possibilities for Korean society to develop in a better direction through literature and the arts beyond Korean literature itself. Such achievements will come to symbolize not only individual accomplishments but also the growth of Korean literature, the publishing industry, and Korean society as a whole.
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