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Han Kang Wins 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature
Stockholm: South Korean author Han Kang has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life,” the Swedish Academy announced on Thursday.
The prestigious award comes with a prize of 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million).
Born in Gwangju, South Korea, in 1970, Han Kang has made a significant impact on the literary world through her thought-provoking works. She first emerged in the literary scene in 1993 as a poet, debuting with “Winter in Seoul” and other poems in the publication Munhak-gwa-sahoe. A year later, she transitioned into fiction by winning the Seoul Shinmun Spring Literary Contest with her short story “Red Anchor”.
Han’s repertoire includes numerous acclaimed novels and short story collections, such as The Vegetarian (2007), Human Acts (2014), and The White Book (2016). Her novel The Vegetarian won the 2016 International Booker Prize, bringing her global recognition. In recent years, her work I Do Not Bid Farewell earned her the prestigious Medicis prize in France in 2023 and the Emile Guimet prize in 2024.
Confronting Trauma Through Literature
The Nobel committee praised Han Kang for her unique literary style, which blends poetic and experimental prose to explore complex themes of pain, suffering, and the delicate relationship between the body and soul. Her writings are known for their exploration of historical traumas, particularly those stemming from South Korea’s turbulent history, and their focus on the vulnerability and resilience of human life.
“Han Kang’s work is marked by an extraordinary awareness of the connections between the living and the dead, body and soul, and the visible and invisible forces that shape our lives,” the Nobel committee noted in its announcement.
A Legacy of Literary Excellence
Han Kang’s literary journey began in a family steeped in literature, as her father is a well-known novelist in South Korea. Over the decades, she has published several critically acclaimed works, including Black Deer (1998), Your Cold Hands (2002), Breath Fighting (2010), and Greek Lessons (2011). Her short story collections, such as Fruits of My Woman (2000) and Fire Salamander (2012), have further solidified her standing as a key figure in contemporary literature.
With this award, Han Kang joins the ranks of renowned global authors who have been recognized for their contribution to literature, and her works will continue to resonate with readers around the world for their profound examination of human experiences and historical memory.
