Han Kang, the South Korean author, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2024. This prestigious honor recognizes her intense, poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life. In this article, we delve into Han Kang's journey as a writer, her inspirations, and her most notable works, including 'Human Acts' and 'The Vegetarian'.
Han Kang was born in 1970 and began her writing career in 1993 with a short story published in a literary magazine. Her debut collection of short stories followed in 1994. Over the years, she has written novels, poetry, and short stories that span multiple genres, showcasing her unique and intense lyrical prose.
According to Anna-Karin Palm, co-opted member of the Nobel Committee for Literature, Han Kang's writing is both tender and brutal, often surrealistic in nature. Her works are characterized by a remarkable continuity of themes despite significant stylistic variations.
For those new to her work, Anna-Karin Palm recommends starting with 'Human Acts', a novel based on the 1980 Gwangju Uprising in South Korea. This historical event saw the military killing over 100 students and civilians demanding democracy and human rights. Han Kang uses this base to reflect on the events both then and now, highlighting how the living and the dead are intertwined and how such traumas stay within a population for generations.
The book's tender and precise prose serves as a counterforce to the brutal noise of power, making it an impactful read.
1. Han Kang's Reaction to the Nobel Prize
When Han Kang received the news of her Nobel Prize in Literature, she was at home in Seoul with her son. She described her initial reaction as being both surprised and honored. In an interview with Jenny Rydn from the Nobel Prize, Han Kang shared that she had just finished dinner with her son when she received the call. This peaceful evening was disrupted by the unexpected news.
Han Kang expressed her gratitude for the support and recognition, acknowledging that she is honored by this prestigious award. As the first South Korean literature laureate, she hopes that this achievement will be celebrated by Korean literature readers and her fellow writers.
Reflecting on her background, Han Kang grew up surrounded by books in both Korean and translated languages. This literary upbringing has made her feel close to Korean literature, which she believes will be positively impacted by her win.
Han Kang's inspiration comes from a collective of writers who have influenced her throughout her career. She mentions that all their efforts and strengths have been her inspiration, making it difficult for her to pinpoint specific names. However, she does mention that Swedish author Astrid Lindgren's book 'Lionheart Brothers' was a significant source of inspiration during her childhood. The themes of life and death in this book resonated deeply with Han Kang's own questions about humanity.
2. Han Kang's Writing Process
Han Kang's writing process is deeply personal and often influenced by historical events. Her novel 'Human Acts' is a prime example of this. The book is based on the 1980 Gwangju Uprising and explores how historical traumas affect a population over time. Han Kang's use of different characters to reflect on these events creates a powerful narrative that intertwines the living and the dead.
In an interview, Han Kang revealed that she never planned to write about the Gwangju Uprising initially but felt compelled to do so as she grappled with survivor's guilt. This experience stayed with her throughout her life, influencing her writing significantly.
Another notable work by Han Kang is 'The Vegetarian', which won the International Booker Prize in 2016. This novel was inspired by her short story 'The Fruit of My Woman' from 1997. Han Kang worked closely with translator Deborah Smith, who taught herself Korean to translate the book. The experience was unique for Han Kang as she emphasized the importance of conveying vivid senses through her sentences.
The novel combines beauty with horror, exploring themes of physical and sexual violence, force-feeding, and death. Yeong-hye's character, who decides to become a plant to save herself, is at the center of this narrative. Han Kang's intention was not to have Yeong-hye speak directly but to show how she is observed, hated, misunderstood, pitied, and objectified by others.
3. Impact of Winning the International Booker Prize
Winning the International Booker Prize had a profound impact on Han Kang's career. The prize helped her works reach a wider readership globally. Her other books, including 'Human Acts', 'The White Book', and 'Greek Lessons', have been translated into several languages since then.
Han Kang feels that there was already recognition for Korean fiction before her win but notes that it has become more visible internationally due to the success of Korean cinema and pop music. The increase in translators working on Korean literature has also contributed to this visibility.
The success of 'The Vegetarian' has been celebrated worldwide, receiving critical acclaim and appearing on several 'best of the year' lists. This recognition has driven Han Kang to continue exploring themes of human life and its complexities.
Han Kang's writing often grapples with darker subjects like human actions and their consequences. She emphasizes the importance of conveying vivid senses through her sentences, making the reader experience a connection that is phenomenal for her every time.
In an interview, Han Kang mentioned that she started writing 'The Vegetarian' in 2003 and published it in 2007. The novel's reception was unexpected for her as it was initially thought to be strange but later found its place in international literature.
The novel's success has led Han Kang to continue questioning what it means to be human. She believes that this question drives her to write more novels, each exploring different aspects of human life.
4. Han Kang's Most Recent Work
Han Kang's most recent book is 'We Do Not Part', which she recommends as a starting point for new readers. This book is connected directly to 'Human Acts' and is a very personal account for Han Kang as it is autobiographical. Another notable work is 'The White Book', which is also very personal and autobiographical.
Han Kang's writing process involves starting with questions that she leaves unanswered in her previous works. For example, the question posed at the end of 'The Vegetarian' became the starting point for her next novel. This continuous exploration of human life and its complexities has made her one of the most celebrated authors globally.
In conclusion, Han Kang's journey as a writer has been marked by her intense and lyrical prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life. Her works have been recognized globally, including winning the International Booker Prize for 'The Vegetarian'. As the first South Korean literature laureate, she hopes that her win will inspire more readers to explore Korean literature.
