Korean Author Han Kang Wins 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature
The Swedish Academy announced on October 10th (local time) that Korean novelist Han Kang (54) has been selected as the winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. Han becomes the first Korean and the first Asian woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Anders Olsson, chair of the Nobel Committee of the Swedish Academy, described Han's literary world at the press conference as "intense poetic prose that confronts historical wounds and exposes the vulnerability of human life."
Upon hearing the news of her award, Han expressed that she was "very surprised and honored." In a phone interview with the Nobel Committee, she said, "The efforts and strength of many writers who have influenced me since childhood have inspired me."
With this award, Han becomes the second Korean Nobel laureate after former President Kim Dae-jung's Nobel Peace Prize in 2000. The Nobel Prize in Literature award ceremony is scheduled to be held in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 10th.
Han's Nobel Prize in Literature is expected to further elevate the global status of Korean literature and increase international interest in Korean literature in the future.
There are indeed tweets from the official Nobel Prize X account (@NobelPrize) announcing Han Kang as the winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Specifically:
"The 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Han Kang."
"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'"
News of the Nobel Prize in Literature Award
Author Han Kang has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. With this, Han becomes the first Korean and the first Asian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. She is also the second Korean Nobel laureate following former President Kim Dae-jung's Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
Upon hearing the news of her award, Han Kang shared her reaction: "I had just finished dinner with my son, and it was 8 PM Korean time. It was a very peaceful evening. I was really surprised."
Han Kang's Career
Key milestones and achievements of Han Kang, Korea's first Nobel Literature Prize winner:
◾Born: November 27, 1970, in Gwangju
◾Education: Graduated from Yonsei University, Department of Korean Language and Literature in 1993
◾Major Career Highlights and Awards:
• 1993: Debuted as a poet with "Summer's Overflow" in the quarterly "Literature and Society"
• 1994: Debuted as a novelist with "The Red Anchor" (붉은 닻) in Seoul Shinmun's Spring Literary Contest
• 1998: Participated in the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, USA
• 1999: Won the Korean Novel Literary Award from the Korean Novelists Association for "Floating Here" (여기 부유)
• 2000: Received the Young Artist of Today Award in Literature from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
• 2005: Won the Yi Sang Literary Award for "Mongolian Mark" (몽고반점)
• 2007: Appointed as professor in the Creative Writing and Media Creation Department at Seoul Institute of the Arts
• 2007-2017: Served as professor in the Faculty of Creative Writing at Seoul Institute of the Arts
• 2010: Won the Dong-ri Literary Award for "The Wind Blows, Go" (바람이 분다, 가라)
• 2014: Received the Manhae Literary Award for "Human Acts" (소년이 온다)
• 2015: Won the Hwang Sun-won Literary Award for "While One Snowflake Melts" (눈 한송이가 녹는 동안)
• 2016: Received the Seoul Institute of the Arts Creative Writing Award
• 2016: Won the Man Booker International Prize for "The Vegetarian" (채식주의자)
• 2017: Awarded the Italian Malaparte Literary Prize for "Human Acts" (소년이 온다)
• 2018: Won the Kim Yu-jeong Literary Award for "Farewell" (작별)
Received the Spanish San Clemente Literary Award for "The Vegetarian" (채식주의자)
• 2023: Awarded the French Prix Médicis étranger for "I Do Not Bid Farewell" (작별하지 않는다)
• October 10, 2024: Nobel Prize in Literature
Introduction to Major Works
1. "The Vegetarian" (채식주의자): Published in 2007, this novel trilogy centers around Yeong-hye, a woman who refuses to eat meat. It gained worldwide attention after winning the Man Booker International Prize in 2016.
2. "Human Acts" (소년이 온다): Released in 2014, this novel is set against the backdrop of the May 1980 Gwangju Democratic Movement. It deals with historical trauma and the fragility of human life.
3. "The White Book" (흰): Published in 2016, this novel stems from thoughts about 'white things'. It contains reflections on life and death.
4. "I Do Not Bid Farewell" (작별하지 않는다): Released in 2021, this novel addresses the Jeju 4.3 Incident. It won the French Prix Médicis étranger in 2023.
Han's works primarily deal with historical events and trauma, human interiority and physical suffering, leaving a deep impression on readers with their lyrical and intense prose style.
Han Kang's Works
1. "The Red Anchor" (붉은 닻) (1994): Han's debut novel, winner of the Seoul Shinmun Spring Literary Contest.
2. "Love in Yeosu" (여수의 사랑) (1995): Han's first short story collection, delicately portraying the essential loneliness and hardships of life.
3. "Black Deer" (검은 사슴) (1998): Han's first full-length novel, showcasing her early literary world.
4. "Your Cold Hand" (그대의 차가운 손) (2002): A work that clearly reveals Han's interest in art.
5. "Greek Lesson" (희랍어 시간) (2011): A novel containing meditations on loss, intimacy, and the ultimate conditions of language.
6. "The Wind Blows, Go" (바람이 분다, 가라) (2010): A complex novel about friendship and art, intensely expressing longing for sadness and change.
7. "I Put the Evening in the Drawer" (서랍에 저녁을 넣어 두었다) (2013): Han's first poetry collection, published after 20 years.
These works showcase Han Kang's literary world from various angles, exploring diverse themes such as historical trauma, human interiority, art, life, and death with a delicate and intense writing style. Han's works have greatly contributed to introducing the depth and breadth of Korean literature to the world, culminating in her 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature.
