"Even If You Have a Lot of Money"... Chinese Nobel Laureate Donates 270 Million Won Prize Immediately

China's First Nobel Literature Laureate Mo Yan
"Even with Much Money, Usable Things Are Limited"

Mo Yan, the first Chinese Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, recently decided to donate the prize money he received from another award to children with heart disease.

According to China News Network on the 19th, Mo Yan received $190,000 (approximately 275.57 million KRW) as prize money after winning the 19th "Aixin Award" in Hong Kong at the end of last month. In an interview with local media, Mo Yan expressed his intention to donate the entire prize money to marginalized groups, including families raising children with heart disease and autism.

China's first Nobel Prize in Literature laureate Mo Yan. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

He said, "As soon as I heard about the prize money, I wanted to receive this award," adding, "My first thought was that this amount could treat about 60 children with congenital heart disease." He continued, "If my actions can ease the suffering of children, there is no greater honor than that," emphasizing, "No matter how much money you have in life, what you can use is limited, and no matter how big your house is, there is only one place to sleep." The Aixin Award is the charity foundation award with the largest prize money in the Chinese-speaking world.

After the interview video was released, Chinese netizens expressed their respect for Mo Yan. They responded with comments such as "This is the value we should spread" and "Give him more prize money."

Born in 1955 in Shandong Province, China, Mo Yan gained popularity in China with works such as Red Sorghum and Frog, but has been known to live frugally by donating literary prize money and other earnings for about 20 years. After winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012, the first Chinese to do so, he has continued to support the treatment of children with heart disease by donating royalties and other income.

When asked how he would celebrate winning the Nobel Prize in Literature, Mo Yan gave a humble answer that became a topic of discussion: "I will make and eat dumplings with my family." He also revealed his creative philosophy by saying, "Literature is the most powerful and free form of dialogue," and "Through literature, I wanted to prove myself and change my destiny."