STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Han Kang, the South Korean author known for her profound explorations of human frailty and historical trauma, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature.
The Swedish Academy praised Han, 53, for her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life,” making her the first South Korean author to receive the prestigious honour.
The award, announced in Sweden on Thursday, October 10, 2024, comes with a cash prize of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million).
Han’s literary career began with poetry published in a South Korean magazine, but she gained international recognition with her novel The Vegetarian, which was translated into English and won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016.
The novel tells the story of a young woman who, after experiencing disturbing nightmares about human cruelty, decides to abandon meat and embrace a plant-like existence.
The book, marked by its dark themes and introspective narrative, opens with the line: “Before my wife turned vegetarian, I’d always thought of her as completely unremarkable in every way.”
Though many of Han’s protagonists are women, her work is often narrated from the perspective of men, offering a unique lens through which to explore human emotions and struggles.
A Unique Voice in Contemporary Literature
Han Kang’s writing is celebrated for its ability to bridge the connections between body and soul, life and death.
The Swedish Academy commended her for her “poetic and experimental style,” noting that she has become a leading innovator in modern prose.
Her work frequently engages with South Korea’s turbulent history, as seen in Human Acts, a 2014 novel about the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, during which more than 100 civilians were killed in pro-democracy protests.
“Her very tender, precise prose in itself almost becomes a counterforce to the brutal noisiness of power,” said Anna-Karin Palm, a Nobel Committee member, who recommended Human Acts as an entry point for readers new to Han’s work.
The novel poignantly illustrates how the trauma of historical violence can linger across generations, with “the living and the dead always intertwined.”
Literary Journey and International Recognition
Although The Vegetarian marked Han’s international breakthrough, her career spans decades, with her first collection of short stories published in 1995.
Over time, Han has established herself as one of the most important literary voices in contemporary South Korea, tackling themes of isolation, trauma, and the delicate balance between life and death.
Han’s works have been translated into multiple languages, amplifying her voice across the world.
Her collaborations with Deborah Smith, who translated The Vegetarian, played a crucial role in bringing her prose to the English-speaking world.
Smith, who learned Korean in her twenties, helped establish Han as a global literary figure.
The Nobel Process and Han’s Reaction
The selection process for the Nobel Prize in Literature is a rigorous one, as committee member Ellen Mattson explained.
“We start with a very long list of around 220 names,” she said, describing how the list is eventually narrowed down to five finalists.
Each committee member must read everything by the shortlisted authors before reaching a final decision.
Mats Malm, permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, revealed that Han was “having an ordinary day” and “just finished supper with her son” when he called to inform her of her win.
“She wasn’t really prepared for this, but we have begun to discuss preparations for December,” Malm added.
The Nobel Prize award ceremony will take place in Stockholm on December 10, commemorating the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.
A Pioneering Author in Global Literature
Han Kang’s Nobel Prize marks a significant milestone for South Korean literature, and she is only the 18th woman to receive the prize since it was first awarded in 1901.
Her works, which confront human suffering and the darker aspects of history, resonate with readers worldwide, offering profound reflections on life’s complexities.
As the literary world celebrates her achievement, Han’s writing continues to challenge and inspire, with her explorations of trauma, memory, and identity leaving an indelible mark on global literature.
