At 53 years old, Han Kang becomes the first South Korean writer to receive this prestigious award. The Nobel Prize committee praised her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life” during the ceremony in Stockholm. This accolade is particularly noteworthy as it is only the 18th time a woman has won the Nobel Prize in Literature since its inception in 1901. Han will receive 11 million krona (approximately £810,000) as part of her award, which is standard for all Nobel laureates this year.
BREAKING NEWS
The 2024 #NobelPrize in Literature is awarded to the South Korean author Han Kang “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.” pic.twitter.com/dAQiXnm11z
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 10, 2024
Who is Han Kang? South Korean Author Who Won the 2024 Nobel Prize
Han Kang's path to literary stardom began in the vibrant city of Gwangju, where she was born in 1970. The daughter of novelist Han Seung-won, she grew up surrounded by words and storytelling. After moving to Seoul at a young age, Han pursued her passion for literature, studying Korean literature at Yonsei University.
Her literary debut came in 1993 with the publication of five poems, followed by her first short story the next year. Little did the world know that these early works would be the foundation of a career that would culminate in Nobel Prize recognition.
Han Kang’s Popular Books
Han's rise to international acclaim came with the English translation of her novel The Vegetarian in 2015. Originally published in Korean in 2007, the book tells the story of a woman who decides to stop eating meat after experiencing disturbing dreams. This seemingly simple premise unfolds into a powerful exploration of social conformity, violence, and isolation.
The Vegetarian struck a chord with readers worldwide, earning Han the prestigious Man Booker International Prize in 2016. This recognition catapulted her onto the global literary stage and paved the way for translations of her other works.
While The Vegetarian may have been her breakout hit, Han's oeuvre spans a broad range of themes and genres. The Nobel Committee praised her ability to cross boundaries, exploring topics such as violence, grief, and patriarchy through various literary forms.
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Other notable works by Han include:
- The White Book: A meditation on the colour white and its significance in Korean culture
- Human Acts: A powerful novel delving into the 1980 Gwangju uprising
- Greek Lessons: A exploration of language, communication, and human connection
The Nobel committee chair, Anders Olsen, highlighted Han's "poetic and experimental style," calling her "an innovator in contemporary prose." He also noted her "unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead."
Upon receiving the news of her Nobel win, Han was reportedly taken aback. Swedish Academy permanent secretary Mats Malm revealed that she "wasn't really prepared" for the honour. This humility aligns with Han's reputation as a dedicated artist who has "devoted herself to music and art," as described by the Nobel Prize board.
Currently teaching creative writing at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, Han is in the process of writing her sixth novel.
With her works already translated into more than 30 languages, this Nobel recognition is likely to introduce Han's unique voice and perspective to an even wider global audience.
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