I won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature — Han Kang

Han Kang, the recent winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, is a powerful voice in Korean literature. She started her career as a poet and has won several awards before gaining international recognition for her novel, The Vegetarian. Han Kang explores dark and complex themes in her work, such as historical trauma and personal loss. She also experiments with multimedia art, blurring the lines between different art forms. Her writing is poetic, visceral, and thought-provoking, challenging readers to see the world differently and embrace the complexities of human experience. Han Kang's work is important in today's world because she confronts uncomfortable truths and explores empathy and connection in a divided society. All right, so today we're going to do a deep dive on something really fascinating. We're going to be talking about Han Kang, the latest winner of a Nobel Prize in Literature. Very cool. You might know her from The Vegetarian, a book that really kind of shook things up in the literary world, but trust me, there's so much more to Han Kang than just that one book. Definitely. And today we're going to go beyond The Vegetarian to discover what makes her such a powerful voice in literature and why this Nobel Prize is so well-deserved. Sounds good. Well, what I think is really interesting about her is that she's been a major figure in Korean literature for decades now, long before The Vegetarian made it big internationally. You know, it's funny, I was reading that she actually started her career as a poet back in 1993. Interesting. I always find it fascinating when novelists have a background in poetry, it's like they bring this whole other level of depth and precision to their prose. Absolutely. And she didn't become a literary star overnight either. Oh, really? She spent years honing her craft, winning awards like the Korean Novel Award, the Yixing Literary Prize, and the Dongri Literary Prize, all before The Vegetarian was even published. That's quite a track record. Yeah. It really shows a dedication to her art, a commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new territory. Absolutely. And I think that's evident throughout her entire body of work, from her early novels to her latest projects. So speaking of The Vegetarian, I think it's fair to say that that book blew a lot of people's minds. Yeah, it definitely made a splash. It won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. Huge. And really introduced her to a wider audience. For sure. But today we're going deeper. Okay. We want to understand the full scope of her work and what makes her such a unique voice. Definitely The Vegetarian is a powerful and unsettling book. But it's just one piece of a much larger puzzle. To really understand Han Kang, we need to look at her other novels, her short stories, even her forays into multimedia art. Hold on, multimedia art. Yeah. Tell me more about that. For example, she created this two-channel video piece to accompany her novel, We Do Not Part. Imagine reading a novel and simultaneously experiencing a visual representation of its themes and emotions. It's a completely different way of engaging with literature. That's incredible. Yeah. It's like she's blurring the lines between art forms, creating something entirely new. Right. So besides The Vegetarian, what other work should we be paying attention to? Well, Human Acts is a must-read. It delves into the Gwangju Uprising, a horrific event in South Korea's history where the military opened fire on civilians protesting for democracy. That's heavy stuff. It is. But the way Han Kang tackles this historical trauma, weaving it together with personal stories of loss and resilience, is simply breathtaking. Wow. It's both deeply political and incredibly moving. That's what I find so compelling about her. She doesn't shy away from the darkness, but she also finds these moments of beauty and hope in the mix of it all. Exactly. And she does it in a way that's both poetic and visceral. You feel her words in your gut. Another book that explores these themes of loss and memory is The White Book. But instead of focusing on a historical event, she uses everyday objects, things like a bar of soap or a blank page to reflect on grief and the fragility of life. It's fascinating how she can find such depth and meaning in what's seemingly mundane. Right. And that's what makes her so unique. She has this ability to take these simple things and transform them into something profound, something that stays with you long after you've finished reading. It's really incredible. It's a testament to her skill as a writer and her ability to see the world in a way that most of us don't. Yeah, I agree. And speaking of seeing the world in a new way, we need to talk about Greek lessons. Okay, yeah, you mentioned that earlier. What makes it so different from her other works? Is it still that intense, visceral Han Kang that we've been talking about? Well, from what I've read, it seems to be a quieter, more introspective novel. It centers around a writer struggling with this mysterious ailment that's preventing her from speaking and a student attending a Greek language course. And they form this unique bond as they explore the power of language and communication. That's interesting. So it's still quintessentially Han Kang grappling with these big existential questions, but maybe through a different lens. Exactly. And what's exciting about that is it shows her willingness to experiment, to evolve as a writer and explore new territory. This isn't just the same Han Kang rehashing old themes. She's pushing herself creatively, and that's what makes her winning the Nobel Prize so significant. It's not just an award for her past achievements, but a recognition of her potential, her ongoing evolution as an artist. And the fact that Greek lessons is her latest translated work makes it even more intriguing. Yeah. Like we're getting a glimpse into the direction her writing is heading. Totally. And who knows, maybe this experimentation will lead her to blend her writing with her multimedia art even further. Wow. Now that would be something. Yeah. Imagine a novel that comes with a soundtrack or a performance art piece that brings the characters to life. Right. It's like she's constantly breaking down barriers and redefining what literature can be. Absolutely. And let's not forget about her short stories. Oh, yeah. I love short stories. They're incredible. She's published some amazing pieces and publications like The New Yorker and Granta. They're like these concentrated bursts of creativity. Yeah. Do you have any favorites that you recommend? Oh, there are so many good ones. Yeah. The Middle Voice in The New Yorker is a great place to start. It's a really thought-provoking piece about memory and perception. Interesting. And The Fruit of My Woman in Granta is another powerful one. Okay. It's a bit surreal and unsettling, but in true Han Kang fashion, it's also incredibly beautiful and moving. See, this is why I love doing these deep dives. Yeah. It's like we're opening up a whole new world for our listeners, a world that they might not even know existed. And with Han Kang, that world is so rich and multifaceted. It's not just her novels and short stories, but also her poetry, her multimedia installations, her performance art. She's this creative force who's constantly pushing boundaries and challenging us to think differently about art and the world around us. It's almost overwhelming to think about the sheer volume of work she's produced over the past 30 years. I know. And remember, not all of it's been translated into English yet. That's right. So even if you feel like you've explored everything Han Kang has to offer, there's still so much out there waiting to be discovered. It's like a treasure hunt for book lovers. You know what really strikes me about all of this is that Han Kang isn't just a brilliant writer. She's a true artist in every sense of the word. Yeah. She's constantly experimenting, evolving, finding new ways to express herself and connect with her audience. And that's what makes her work so relevant and important. Today, she's not just telling stories. She's challenging us to see the world differently, to question our assumptions, to embrace the complexities of human experience. Beautifully said. And that's what makes her winning the Nobel Prize so well-deserved. It's not just an acknowledgement of her talent, but a celebration of her courage, her vision, and her unwavering commitment to exploring the depths of human existence. And with that in mind, I think it's time we shift gears a bit and talk about the bigger picture. Why is Han Kang's work so important in today's world? What does she offer us that we might not find anywhere else? Well, I think one reason is her willingness to explore these difficult and often taboo subjects like trauma, violence, and the darker sides of human nature. It forces us to confront uncomfortable truth about ourselves and the world we live in. It's like she's holding up a mirror to society, showing us the things we might prefer to ignore. Exactly. And she does it with such sensitivity and nuance, never shying away from the complexity of these issues. Like, take human acts, for example. It would be easy to portray the Gwangju uprising as a simple story of good versus evil. But Han Kang doesn't do that. She delves into the gray areas, exploring the perspectives of both the victims and the perpetrators, forcing us to confront the uncomfortable reality that even in the face of unimaginable cruelty, there's still humanity on both sides. And that's what makes her work so challenging and rewarding. She doesn't give us easy answers. She forces us to think for ourselves, to grapple with difficult questions, and come to our own conclusions. Absolutely. And I think another reason her work is so relevant today is because of her focus on connection and empathy. You know, in a world that often feels increasingly divided and polarized, Han Kang reminds us of the importance of understanding and compassion, even for those who are different from us. You know, I was thinking about that while reading The Vegetarian. Oh, yeah. The main character, Young Hai, makes this radical decision to stop eating meat. Right. And it completely isolates her from her family and society. Yeah. But even though her actions seem extreme, Han Kang forces us to see the world from her perspective to understand the pain and alienation she's experiencing. Right. And that's what makes her such a powerful writer. She has this incredible ability to inhabit the minds and hearts of her characters, even when they're making choices that we might not understand or agree with. Right. It's a reminder that everyone has their own story, their own reasons for doing the things they do. Yeah. And that judging others without trying to understand their perspective only leads to division and misunderstanding. And in a world where we're bombarded with information and opinions from all sides, it's more important than ever to cultivate that sense of empathy and understanding. Right. Han Kang's work is like an antidote to the noise and chaos of modern life. Yeah. It invites us to slow down, to listen, to connect with our own humanity and the humanity of others. So to bring it back to your initial question, why should you care about Han Kang? Yeah. I think it's simple. She's a writer who will make you think, feel, and question everything you thought you knew about the world. That's a great way to put it. She'll challenge you, provoke you, and ultimately leave you changed in ways you never expected. And isn't that what great artists are supposed to do? Exactly. It's not just about entertainment. It's about expanding our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Precisely. And with Han Kang, you're not just getting a great story, you're getting a glimpse into the mind of a true visionary. Right. An artist who's constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in literature. So as we wrap up this deep dive, I want to encourage you, the listener, to go beyond the vegetarian and discover the full breadth of Han Kang's work for yourself. Yeah. Dive into her novels, explore her short stories, seek out her multimedia projects, let her words and her art wash over you, and see where they take you. And who knows? Maybe in exploring Han Kang's world, you'll discover something new about yourself, a new way of seeing the world, or a newfound appreciation for the power of art to connect us all. That's it for our deep dive into the world of Han Kang. We hope you've enjoyed this journey of discovery and that you'll continue to explore her work long after this episode is over. Happy reading.