Han Kang, renowned South Korean author, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for her “intense poetic prose” that delves into historical traumas and explores the fragility of human existence. Her distinctive narrative style combines vivid metaphorical language with deep empathy for life’s harsh realities, marking her as a major voice in contemporary literature.

Kang’s literary journey began in 1993 with the publication of poems in the magazine Literature and Society. She made her prose debut in 1995 with the short story collection Love of Yeosu. However, her international recognition came with the 2007 novel The Vegetarian, which was translated into English in 2015. This three-part novel presents the shocking and far-reaching consequences of a woman’s refusal to conform to societal norms regarding food, especially the decision to stop eating meat.

Born in Gwangju in 1970 and raised in Seoul, Han Kang grew up in a literary family, with her father also being a well-known novelist. Her works often integrate her interests in art and music, adding layers of complexity to her stories.

Han Kang is the first South Korean writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The 10 million Swedish krona ($915,000) award, often seen as the pinnacle of literary achievement, was given in recognition of her capacity to portray human vulnerability through innovative storytelling.

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