Korea is currently abuzz with the country’s first Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Han Kang.
For the first topic about life in Korea,
I chose to highlight Han Kang,
the first Korean to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
The reason is that she is currently one of the hottest figures in Korea, dominating the news every day with discussions about her books. Since her Nobel win, her novels have sold over a million copies, leading to a book shortage.
The work that won the “2024 Nobel Prize in Literature” is The Vegetarian, a novel that has had a profound influence on exploring inner human conflicts and social issues. The Vegetarian is a polarizing book, and opinions on it are sharply divided. Online communities are heated with debates and discussions about her work.
Her novel Human Acts is considered an easier read than The Vegetarian, as it delves into the painful moments of modern Korean history. For readers new to her work, many recommend starting with Human Acts.
You can visit her official website at https://han-kang.net/,
where you can also explore the music she has worked on. In 2007, Han Kang wrote and sang songs, recording 10 tracks as part of the supplementary material for her essay collection Quietly Calling the Name. Her music is also regaining attention
Additionally, the movie adaptation of The Vegetarian was released in 2010.
It was a low-budget indie film made for around 300 million won.
Reviews of the movie are quite polarizing, just like the book.
Online reviews from 2010 are filled with harsh critiques, with ratings as low as 1 or 2 stars.
However, with her Nobel win, this movie is set to be re-released!
For a while, Korea will be captivated by the “Han Kang sensation.” Compared to neighboring Japan, which has many Nobel laureates, Korea had been lacking in this area. Han Kang’s Nobel Prize win has finally fulfilled a long-held wish of the Korean people.
Congratulations!
Let’s read other blog posts together!
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