What's happened
South Korean author Han Kang has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first South Korean and first Asian woman to receive this honor. Her works, including 'The Vegetarian' and 'Human Acts,' explore themes of trauma and societal issues, leading to a surge in book sales and national pride.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Guardian reported that Han Kang's win is a triumph for Korean literature, emphasizing her unique voice and the significance of her themes. The Independent highlighted the cultural pride her award has generated in South Korea, noting the immediate impact on book sales and public sentiment. Meanwhile, the New York Times pointed out the historical context of her work, linking it to South Korea's tumultuous past and the broader narrative of women's representation in literature. These perspectives collectively underscore the importance of Han's achievement in both a national and global context.
How we got here
Han Kang, known for her poignant exploration of historical traumas in South Korea, has gained international acclaim for her novels. Her win marks a significant cultural milestone, reflecting the growing global influence of South Korean literature and the recognition of female authors in a traditionally male-dominated field.
More on these topics
-
The Nobel Prize in Literature is a Swedish literature prize that is awarded annually, since 1901, to an author from any country who has, in the words of the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, produced "in the field of literature the most outstand
-
Gwangju is the sixth-largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister.
-
The Gwangju Uprising was a popular uprising in the city of Gwangju, South Korea, from May 18 to May 27, 1980 in which it is estimated that around 600 people were killed.
-
Seoul, officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. Seoul has a population of 9.7 million people, and forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area with the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province.
-
The International Booker Prize is an international literary award hosted in the United Kingdom. The introduction of the International Prize to complement the Man Booker Prize, as the Booker Prize was then known, was announced in June 2004.
-
Squid Game is a South Korean survival drama streaming television series written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk. The nine-episode series, starring Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo and Wi Ha-joon, tells the story of a group of 456 people who are invited to risk
-
Annie Ernaux is a French writer.
-
Jon Olav Fosse is a Norwegian author and dramatist.
-
The Swedish Academy, founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden. Its 18 members, who are elected for life, comprise the highest Swedish language authority.
-
Parasite is a 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller film directed by Bong Joon-ho, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won.
-
The Nobel Prize is a set of annual international awards bestowed in several categories by Swedish and Norwegian institutions in recognition of academic, cultural, or scientific advances.