K for K-Pop, Kimchi, and now Kang! South Korea adds another feather to its cap
EdexLive Desk
South Korean poet and novelist Han Kang was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on October 10.
With the win, Kang becomes the first Asian woman and first South Korean writer to receive this honour.
Her notable works include “The Vegetarian” and “Human Acts”, exploring the pain of existence and Korea's tumultuous history.
Han debuted as a poet in 1993. Her first novel, “Black Deer”, was published in 1998.
Her novel “The Vegetarian” also won the International Booker Prize in 2016.
Han's win comes amid the global rise of South Korean culture, with successes in film, TV, and music such as “Parasite”, “Squid Game”, and the famous boy band BTS.
Her latest novel, “We Do Not Part”, set for English release next year, explores the Jeju uprising of 1948-1949.
Han’s recognition challenges the Nobel Prize's history of Eurocentric and male-dominated selections. It may be noted that she is only the 18th woman among 120 laureates.