The effect of the Nobel Prize: queue to literature

People are very attentive to awards, whether they receive them or they are awarded to others. Awards validate careers, increase sales.

A very good example comes a few hours after the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Literature. South Korea was swept up in a wave of excitement and national pride with the announcement that author Han Kang has become the first South Korean author to receive the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature. Bookstores across the country were mobbed by readers, and stocks of the novelist's books were quickly depleted, according to a Reuters report.

• A historical recognition for South Korean literature

The Nobel Prize for Literature brought historic recognition to both Han Kang and South Korean literature. The author's most popular books, including "Vegetariana," her previous Man Booker International prize-winning novel in 2016, have sold in huge numbers, and some bookstore websites have been overwhelmed by heavy traffic. Han Kang is known for her poetic, delicate and deeply moving prose, and her books explore difficult and painful themes in South Korean history. "My daughter's writing is very delicate, beautiful and sad," said Han Seung-won, the author's father, another famous writer in South Korea.

• The impact of translation on international success

An essential aspect of Han Kang's international success was the careful translation of his works. "Vegetariana" is considered an outstanding example of literary translation, according to the author's father. He pointed out that "how you translate a sad phrase into another language can make the difference between success and failure." Han's other novels, such as "Human Acts" and "We Do Not Part," deal with dark chapters in South Korean history, including the 1980 Gwangju Massacre and the anti-communist purges on Jeju Island between 1948 and 1954. books have been praised not only for their literary beauty, but also for their deep emotional impact on readers, especially those who lived through the events or whose families were affected.

• An emotional victory for survivors and families

Han Kang's Nobel Prize winning resonated deeply with those affected by the historical traumas addressed in his works. Park Gang-bae, director of a foundation dedicated to the victims of the Gwangju massacre, said he was "happy and moved" by the author's victory. "The characters in her books are people we meet every day, which makes this recognition all the more poignant," he said. Kim Chang-beom, leader of an association for families of Jeju massacre victims, expressed hope that Han Kang's works will bring relief and healing to those affected by those tragedies.

• A silent refusal of the celebration

Despite his success, Han Kang chose to avoid the limelight. Han Seung-won revealed that his daughter did not want to give interviews or hold press conferences in the context of serious conflicts currently affecting the world. "How could they celebrate when people are dying every day in conflicts in Russia, Ukraine, Israel and Palestine?" said Han Seung-won, offering a glimpse into how his daughter views artistic and human responsibility. Han Kang, who received the news of winning the prize just minutes before the official announcement, was so surprised that she initially thought it might be a scam.