The recent announcement that South Korean writer Han Kang has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature has sparked much interest and well-deserved recognition of her literary work. Han Kang was honored “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical trauma and exposes the fragility of human life.”
In her works, Han Kang addresses historical trauma and uncovers invisible rulesets that illuminate the fragility of human life. Her writing is characterized by a unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, between the living and the dead. Her poetic and experimental style has established her as an innovator of contemporary prose.
The Swedish Academy, which awards the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature, has highlighted that Han Kang’s work is distinguished by a double exposition of pain, a correspondence between mental and physical torment, in close connection with Eastern thought. Her writing draws on tragedy, history, and language, giving voice to the victims of history.
Han Kang draws on historical events, such as the Gwangju Massacre of 1980, to inform her narrative and give voice to the victims of this tragedy. Her literary approach confronts these events with commitment and brutal actualization, approaching the genre of witness literature.
Han Kang’s most notable work, “The Vegetarian,” explores the story of Yeong-hye, a woman who suddenly decides to become a vegetarian, upsetting her family. Divided into three parts, the novel depicts the impact of Yeong-hye’s decision from different perspectives, highlighting the reactions of those around her and the consequences of her choice.
Through this captivating narrative, Han Kang explores themes of individualism, social conformity, and the power of the human spirit to transcend physical constraints. The novel’s haunting and eerie atmosphere, combined with elegant and restrained writing, creates a powerful and unforgettable reading experience, inviting readers to reflect on the complexity of human nature.
In sum, Han Kang’s work is distinguished by its sensitivity to extreme life stories, its mastery of metaphorical style, and its profound exploration of the human condition and historical pain. By awarding her the Nobel Prize in Literature, the Swedish Academy recognizes a visionary and daring author whose poetic writing and literary engagement continue to captivate and move readers around the world.