Gwangju Shinsegae Donates Books by Author Han Kang to Seo-gu, Gwangju

Books Worth 6 Million KRW, Including "The Boy is Coming" and "The Vegetarian"

Gwangju Shinsegae Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Donghun) has donated 400 books, including the representative works and recommended readings of author Han Kang, to Seo-gu, Gwangju.

According to Gwangju Shinsegae on the 6th, this donation was decided to celebrate Han Kang's Nobel Prize win and to share the joyful news with the citizens.

At the book donation ceremony for author Hangang held on the 6th at Gwangju Seo-gu Office, Seo-gu Office Chief Lee Ikang and Gwangju Shinsegae CEO Lee Donghun, along with other officials, are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Gwangju Shinsegae

On this day, a book donation ceremony for Han Kang's works was held at Seo-gu District Office, attended by Seo-gu Mayor Kim Ikang and Gwangju Shinsegae CEO Lee Donghun, among others.

At the event, Gwangju Shinsegae donated 400 books worth 6 million KRW to Seo-gu District Office, including Han Kang's representative works such as "The Boy is Coming" and "The Vegetarian." The donated books will be distributed to public libraries and small public libraries in Seo-gu, where citizens will be able to freely borrow and read them.

Immediately after the announcement of Han Kang's selection for the Nobel Prize in Literature last October, Gwangju Shinsegae set up a space to introduce the author's literary world and representative works in celebration of the award.

To further celebrate Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature with the citizens of Gwangju, Han Kang Book Lounge was operated in the main building's first floor plaza from January 2 to March 3.

The Han Kang Book Lounge, created by Gwangju Shinsegae on the first floor of its main building, was designed as a space where anyone could read and appreciate Han Kang's works. The lounge was stocked with a total of 400 books, including 15 of the author's representative works such as "The Boy is Coming," "The Vegetarian," and "I Do Not Bid Farewell," as well as 5 recommended books by the author.

Tables and chairs were provided to ensure citizens could read comfortably, and a space was set up for visitors to write their impressions after reading, which received positive feedback from users.

In addition to Korean books, the lounge also featured Han Kang's works published in the UK and the US, demonstrating the strength of Korean literature expanding beyond Korea to the world.

Lee Donghun, CEO of Gwangju Shinsegae, stated, "As Gwangju Shinsegae celebrates its meaningful 30th anniversary in 2025, I am delighted to share Han Kang's books with the citizens as part of our commitment to coexist with the local community." He added, "I hope that through these donated books, many people will take an interest in literature and that another Han Kang may be born in the future."