E2024-G093

From Gwangju to the World: Nobel Prize Laureate Han Kang

Narrative

In the heart of Gwangju, a city echoing with historical resonance, the tale of Han Kang unfolds—a narrative that bridges the local with the global. Her journey, from the vibrant streets of Gwangju to international acclaim, is woven with the threads of history, family, and literary brilliance. The story begins with the May 18 Democratic Uprising, a pivotal event in May 1980, where citizens of Gwangju, young and old, stood firm against an authoritarian regime. This courageous stand for democracy would later become the backdrop for Han Kang's sixth novel, Sonyeon i onda (The Boy is Coming), earning a place in "May Literature," a collection dedicated to preserving the spirit of the uprising. Han Kang's literary prowess, inherited from her father, the acclaimed novelist Han Seung-won, garnered her prestigious awards. "The Boy is Coming" not only resonated in Korea but also across the globe, earning the Man Booker Prize and the Malaparte Prize, illuminating the universal themes of resilience and humanity embedded in its pages. Her father's legacy, adorned with the Yi Sang Literary Award, is a testament to the powerful narrative lineage that Han Kang carries forward. Likewise, Han Kang's own accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Literature and the aforementioned Yi Sang Literary Award, further cement her status as a luminary in the literary world. Through her works, Han Kang crafts a poignant narrative, not just of Gwangju's past, but of the human condition—taking the story of a city to the world, from the heart of Korea to the global stage.