Han Kang Biography| Books| Nobel Prize & Family| Quotes & Husband

Han Kang | Biography, Books, Nobel Prize 2024, Age, Education, Husband, Family, poetry,

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Han Kang, born on November 27, 1970, in Gwangju, South Korea, has carved a unique space in the global literary landscape. Celebrated for her intense, poetic prose and exploration of historical trauma, Han has earned international acclaim for her deep and powerful storytelling.

In 2024, Han became the first South Korean and the first female Asian writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, solidifying her status as one of the most important writers of her time.

Personal Bio/Wiki

Full Name	Han Kang (한강)
Date of Birth	November 27, 1970
Age	53 (as of 2024)
Birthplace	Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, South Korea
Nationality	South Korean
Occupation	Writer
Genre	Fiction
Education	Yonsei University
Spouse	Hong Yong-hee
Children	1 son
Notable Works	The Vegetarian, Human Acts, We Do Not Part
Notable Awards	– Nobel Prize in Literature (2024), – International Booker Prize (2016), – Prix Médicis étranger (2023)

Han Kang’s Books

Title	Year Published	English Translation	Genre	Key Themes
A Love of Yeosu	1995	Not yet translated	Short story collection	Love, relationships, social realism
Baby Buddha	1999	Not yet translated	Novella	Childhood, innocence, coming of age, spiritualism
The Vegetarian	2007	2015	Novel	Mental illness, family neglect, societal norms, vegetarianism
Breath Fighting	2010	Not yet translated	Novel	Life struggles, emotional conflict, family relationships
Greek Lessons	2011	2023	Novel	Communication, language, trauma, love, disability
Human Acts	2014	2016	Novel	Historical trauma, Gwangju Uprising, death, violence, human dignity
While One Snowflake Melts	2015	Not yet translated	Short story	Fragility of life, time, loss
The White Book	2016	2017	Autobiographical novel	Grief, loss, memory, fragility of life, death of a sibling
We Do Not Part	2021	2021 (French)	Novel	Historical trauma, Jeju Uprising, friendship, memory

Summary of Notable Books:

1. The Vegetarian (2007): Perhaps her most famous work, The Vegetarian tells the story of a woman who decides to give up meat, leading to a mental and emotional breakdown. The novel touches on themes of rebellion against societal norms, familial control, and personal autonomy.
2. Human Acts (2014): This novel is based on the real-life Gwangju Uprising of 1980, exploring the violence and trauma experienced by the individuals involved. The novel is deeply emotional and reflects on the cost of political oppression.
3. The White Book (2016): A poetic reflection on life and death, The White Book explores the grief Han Kang felt over the loss of her sister, who died shortly after birth. The book is part memoir, part meditation on existence.
4. Greek Lessons (2011, English 2023): This novel focuses on a mute woman and a man losing his sight, reflecting on how they navigate trauma and connection through language and silence. It explores themes of communication and isolation.
5. We Do Not Part (2021): Set during the 1948-49 Jeju Uprising, this novel follows a writer researching the impact of the uprising on a friend’s family. It deals with Korea’s violent history, friendship, and memory.

Han Kang’s works are known for their rich emotional depth, minimalist writing style, and strong engagement with themes of violence, trauma, and healing. Each novel reflects on the human condition, often drawing from Korea’s painful history to explore larger existential questions.

Han Kang’s Family

Family Member	Relationship	Occupation	Notable Information
Han Seung-won	Father	Novelist	A well-known South Korean writer; Han Kang’s early literary influence.
Hong Yong-hee	Husband	Professor at Kyunghee Cyber University	Han Kang’s spouse; they have one son together.
Son	Son	–	Han Kang has one son, and she was with him when she received news of her Nobel Prize.
Unnamed Sister	Sister (deceased)	–	Han Kang’s spouse; and they have one son together.

Han’s father, Han Seung-won, is also a novelist, and his career inspired Han Kang’s path in literature.

Han Kang Quotes

1. “I believe that humans should be plants.”
   – The Vegetarian
   A profound metaphor for her characters’ desire to escape human violence and find peace in simplicity.
2. “Can violence ever be beautiful?”
   – Human Acts
   This thought-provoking question challenges readers to reflect on the nature of violence and its impact on humanity.
3. “Is it possible for a person to be born again? If so, how can that person live?”
   – The White Book
   A poetic reflection on rebirth, survival, and the fragility of existence.
4. “Words bring with them meaning, and meanings are full of traps.”
   – Greek Lessons
   This quote highlights the complexity and power of language, a central theme in Han Kang’s work.
5. “Life and death are the same in this way: they both have the power to surprise you.”
   – The White Book
   A meditative and philosophical observation on the unpredictable nature of life and mortality.

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