The novelist and poet is the first South Korean to be consecrated by the Swedish Academy.
From the presidency to K-pop megastar BTS, South Korea on Thursday celebrated the country’s first Nobel Prize in literature won by the author of The VegetarianHan Kang. The novelist, 53, who also won the Booker Prize in 2016, has long been a key figure who has helped bring contemporary Korean literature to global attention. After being propelled by the Booker she declared that she preferred people to hear her voice “in the form of writing”. “The best way, I think, is to hide in my room and start writing as soon as possible”she clarified.
But her Nobel immediately made headlines in South Korea, with Han Kang’s photo appearing on the front pages of news sites and headlines hailing her historic victory, the first by an Asian woman. Daily life Munhwa Ilbo wrote: “Is this the beginning of the K novels?”in reference to the “Korean wave”which saw the country’s K-pop music and K-drama TV shows take over global charts.“She introduced Korean literature to the whole world”adds the newspaper.
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“It is a monumental achievement in the history of Korean literature and a national celebration that brings joy to all South Koreans”wrote South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on his Facebook account. K-pop megastars were quick to react to the news, with BTS member RM sharing news reports of the novelist’s win with a crying face and heart emoji. Another BTS member, V, shared the news on Instagram, writing: “I read your book Human Act : A Novel to the army. Congratulations”accompanied by a bowing emoji. “She is the Korean novelist who most deserved the Nobel Prize”greeted Kim Seong-shin, literary critic.