NEWS – Nobel Prize in Literature 2024 was awarded to Han Kang, a South Korean author

HIGHLIGHTS

• Recognized for her intense poetic prose that delves into historical traumas and human fragility.
• Kang’s work is noted for its physical empathy and charged metaphorical style.

Background of Han Kang

• Began her literary career in 1993 with the publication of poems in the magazine Literature and Society.
• Her prose debut came in 1995 with the short story collection Love of Yeosu.
• Gained international recognition through her novel The Vegetarian (2007), which portrays extreme personal choices and their consequences.

Key Works and Themes

• “The Vegetarian” (2007): Explores the life of a woman, Yeong-hye, who rejects societal norms by refusing to eat meat, leading to violent reactions from those around her.
• Focuses on themes of personal autonomy, societal pressure, and the consequences of defiance.

Personal Life and Influences

• Born in Gwangju, South Korea in 1970 and later moved to Seoul.
• Comes from a literary family; her father is a well-known novelist.
• Has a strong interest in art and music, which is reflected in her literary works.

Nobel Prize Recognition

• Han Kang is the first South Korean writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• The prize is worth 10 million Swedish krona (approximately $915,000) and is regarded as the world’s most prestigious literary award.