From K-Pop stars to the president, passing through anonymous readers, all of South Korea is delighted with the Nobel Prize in Literature awarded, on Thursday, October 10, to writer Han Kang. The Swedish Academy’s decision in favor of a renowned novelist “for his intense poetic prose that confronts historical trauma and exposes the fragility of human life” It flatters the pride of a country sensitive to any form of international recognition.
“It is a monumental achievement in the history of Korean literature and a reason for national celebration for the entire population”rejoiced the president, Yoon Suk Yeol, on his Facebook page. Mr. Yoon praised the work he has “we transcended the painful wounds of our modern history to create a great literary work”.
“Congratulations. I read The one who returns [Points, 2017] “when I was doing my military service”V, a member of the boy band BTS, reacted on social networks. Singer Hynn, whose real name is Park Hye-won, revealed that she chose her stage name after reading White (The Feathered Serpent, 2019), “hynn” which means “white” in Korean.
The presentation of the award to Mme Han caused a great stir in his works. The sites of South Korea’s two major online bookstores, Kyobo Book Center and Yes24, have been inundated with requests. In the half day following the Nobel committee’s announcement, more than 130,000 works by the Gwangju (south) native were sold on the two platforms.
Beyond that, what is welcomed is the international recognition of South Korean literature. “Conflicts are breaking out all over the world. Han Kang’s work is a breath of fresh air. The Swedish Academy valued this aspect of his work”declared to the center-left newspaper Hankyoreh Lee Hyun-ja, editorial director of Munhakdongne publishing house.
This same newspaper welcomed the granting for the first time of an award to “an Asian woman”, while the Herald of Korea enjoyment “The gentle literary revolution” directed by the writer.
“Korean culture, movies and K-Pop are spreading around the world. This Nobel Prize represents a summit for Korean culture.”adds Yeom Jong-seon, CEO of Changbi Publishers, which published The vegetarian (The Feathered Serpent, 2015). Kwak Hyo-hwan, former president of the Korea Translation Institute and an ardent promoter of South Korean literature abroad, commented that ” from The vegetarian Won the International Booker Prize in 2016, timely translation opportunities abound. A large number of Korean authors are benefiting from M’s success.me They have”.
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