The author Han Kang of South Korea wins the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for her powerful and introspective writing.
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| Han Kang's acclaimed novels, including "The Vegetarian" and "Human Acts," and their impact on readers worldwide. Image Credit: Lee Chunhee |
Stockholm, Sweden – October 10, 2024:
South Korean novelist 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 Friday.
Han, 53, is the first South Korean writer and the 18th woman to win the prestigious literature prize. Mats Malm, permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy's Nobel Committee, said he was able to reach Han by phone after announcing her as the winner. "She was having an ordinary day it seemed – had just finished supper with her son. She wasn't really prepared for this," Malm stated.
Han is best known for her international best-selling novel "The Vegetarian," which explores themes of violence, alienation, and societal expectations through the story of a housewife who inexplicably decides to become a vegetarian. Her other acclaimed works include "Human Acts," a historical novel depicting the Gwangju Uprising in South Korea, and "The White Book," a meditation on grief and loss.
The Nobel Prize in Literature is widely considered the most prestigious literary award globally. It is awarded annually "to the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction," according to the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor and philanthropist who established the prize.
Han's win marks a significant moment for South Korean literature. She is the first writer from her country to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, joining eight other Asians who have won the prize previously. Her focus on historical trauma and the human condition resonates with audiences worldwide.
The news of Han's win has been met with great joy and celebration in South Korea. Book lovers in Seoul welcomed the news with excitement, and many expect a surge in interest in her work. Han's achievement is seen as a recognition of South Korea's rich literary tradition and its growing presence on the global literary stage.
While Han may not have been expecting the call, her powerful, introspective writing has undeniably earned her a place among the world's most celebrated literary figures.