In a historic moment for South Korean literature, author Han Kang has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first writer from Korea to receive this prestigious honor. At 53 years old, Han becomes the eighteenth woman to win the Nobel Prize in this category, further highlighting her role as a pivotal figure in contemporary literature.
Han Kang first gained international acclaim with her novel The Vegetarian, which won the International Booker Prize in 2016. This groundbreaking work established her as a leading voice in literature and made her the first Korean writer to secure this accolade. Since then, she has garnered a dedicated readership both in South Korea and across the globe, thanks to her unique narrative style and thematic explorations.
The Nobel Prize, founded by Alfred Nobel in 1901, recognizes authors who have made outstanding contributions to literature. In awarding Han Kang, the Swedish Academy praised her “intense poetic prose” and her ability to confront historical traumas while revealing the fragility of human life. The Academy emphasized Han’s innovative approach to storytelling, stating, “In her oeuvre, Han Kang confronts historical traumas and invisible sets of rules, exposing the fragility of human life.”
One of Han’s recent works, Greek Lessons, exemplifies her distinctive style. This novel tells the story of a woman who loses her ability to speak and enrolls in ancient Greek classes with a teacher gradually losing his sight. Critic Leland Cheuk describes the book as an “intimate, vulnerable portrayal of two lonely people,” infused with a “hopeful and humane belief in the redemptive power of love.” The narrative unfolds like a poignant indie film, subtly tugging at the reader’s heartstrings until the final pages leave one speechless with a blend of sadness and hope.
Han Kang joins the ranks of literary legends such as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Toni Morrison, and Gabriel García Márquez with her Nobel Prize win. Her presence among these icons underscores her status as a transformative voice in literature. Critics and readers alike commend her for crafting unsettling yet thought-provoking narratives that challenge conventional storytelling and invite reflection.
As Han Kang embarks on this new chapter of her literary journey, her achievement serves as a personal milestone and an inspiration for aspiring writers in South Korea and beyond. Han continues to illuminate the complexities of human experiences through her works, offering a deeper understanding of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead.