South Korean author Han Kang has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, making history as the first Korean writer and the first Asian woman to receive the prestigious honour. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized her body of work, which "exposes the fragility of human life." Han is best known for her novel “The Vegetarian”, which previously won the International Booker Prize.

The Nobel Prizes, established by Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, have been awarded annually since 1901 in various fields, including Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace, honouring individuals for their remarkable contributions to society.

These prestigious awards continue to celebrate outstanding achievements across various disciplines, furthering the legacy of Alfred Nobel’s vision to honor those who benefit humanity through their work.

Han Kang's Literary Journey

Han Kang’s literary career began with her poetry in the early 1990s, and her breakthrough came with the publication of “The Vegetarian”, a novel that explores deep psychological and existential themes. Born into a literary family, with her father Han Seung-won being a novelist, Han Kang pursued Korean literature at Yonsei University. She later joined the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in 1998. Her work continues to resonate globally for its profound exploration of human emotions and the delicate nature of life.

Her Awards List

• 1999 – Korean Novel Award for Baby Buddha

• 2000 – Ministry of Culture and Tourism Today's Young Artist Award – Literature Section

• 2005 – Yi Sang Literary Award for Mongolian Mark

• 2010 – Dongri Literary Award for The Wind is Blowing

• 2014 – Manhae Literary Award for Human Acts

• 2015 – Hwang Sun-won Literary Award for While One Snowflake Melts

• 2016 – International Booker Prize for The Vegetarian

• 2017 – Malaparte Prize for Human Acts

• 2018 – Kim Yu-jeong Literary Award for Farewell

• 2019 – San Clemente Literary Prize for The Vegetarian

• 2023 – Prix Médicis étranger for We Do Not Part

• 2024:

  • Émile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature for We Do Not Part

  • Ho-Am Prize in the Arts