International Symposium on Hangang Artwork in Germany... Praised as "Magical and Mysterious"

Berlin Korean Cultural Center Discussion
"Han River Work Exhibits Both Softness and Violence Simultaneously"

An international symposium on the works of Han Kang, the first Korean author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in Germany, was held. Attendees praised her as the creator of "magical works."

On the 15th (local time), a discussion on the works of writer Hangang was held at the Korean Cultural Center in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 16th, Yonhap News reported that the Korean Cultural Center in Berlin invited critics from various countries to hold a symposium discussing Han Kang's literary world. The symposium featured discussions on Han Kang's works such as The Vegetarian and Human Acts.

Katarina Borchardt, a German literary critic attending the symposium, described Han Kang's representative work The Vegetarian by saying, "Han Kang's works always contain both softness and violence simultaneously," and added, "Han Kang's books are magical and mysterious."

Friederike Silbach, editor at Aufbau Verlag, which publishes Han Kang's works in German, added, "It is extremely rare to find a writer like Han Kang who embraces both softness and violence without leaning too much to either side." Silbach further explained regarding the 'multi-narrator trilogy' structure of The Vegetarian>, "The well-crafted composition that quietly and calmly handles such a vast subject matter is special and very novel. That is why this work has achieved tremendous success and has been translated into many languages."

Tom M?ller, a publishing editor, said, "When we published the German edition of The Vegetarian, I asked Max Porter, the British editor who first published the English edition, who his favorite author was, and he showed me the English edition of The Vegetarian. I was impressed as soon as I started reading the book," adding, "Since most German publishers had already rejected it, we did not have to pay a large amount."

Cover of the German edition of Han River book. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding Human Acts, critic Borchardt emphasized, "It is a work dealing with a very difficult subject in modern Korean history," and noted, "The author (Han Kang) also went through a difficult time as she was placed on the cultural blacklist during the Park Geun-hye administration."

Editor Silbach said, "So far, we have published many American and British novels, but recently the publishing industry is paying attention to Korea," and recommended recent Korean novels published in German such as Son Won-pyung's Almond and Kim Eui-kyung's Hello Baby.

At the symposium, Lim Sang-beom, the Korean Ambassador to Germany, gave a congratulatory speech stating, "When I think of Han Kang, I automatically recall the 'Miracle on the Han River.' However, it is actually the result of much effort and sacrifice," and added, "Han Kang is already a Nobel Prize winner in Literature, but I believe her best work has yet to come. I am eagerly looking forward to her next work."