[K-wave] Han Kang's Nobel Prize win ignites Korea’s passion for literature

"다시 종이책의 시대 오길" 활기 되찾은 출판 업계
The surprise Nobel Prize win by South Korea n author Han Kang is revitalizing Korea’s publishing industry, an area that has been slumping in the face of advanced technology and digitalization.
Printing and binding companies are burning the midnight oil to meet the explosive demand for Han’s books but fatigue is not a concern for them.
Our Han Da-eun takes us to the scene.
A printing company in Paju City, Gyeonggi-do Province.
A massive printing press continuously churns out sheets of paper filled with tightly packed text from early in the morning.
These are parts of Nobel prize laureate Han Kang’s “I Do Not Bid Farewell”, a story about the Jeju April 3 uprising and massacre.
Since the announcement of Han's surprise Nobel Prize win, requests for tens of thousands of copies have poured in, prompting staff to work against the clock without a moment's rest.
But they’re more thrilled than ever, and exhaustion is not a concern.
“We’re busy printing books by the author Han Kang. While it can be quite tiring, we hope to receive more orders like this.”
Similar scenes are unfolding at a bookbinding company next door, where the entire staff is working emergency shifts, striving to complete the books that readers are eagerly awaiting, including Han Kang’s “The Vegetarian” and “Human Acts.”
They have expedited the binding process, reducing it from seven days to just two.
“We were largely idle because we had no work to do but now we’re swamped. I hope the era of paper books is making a comeback.”
Meanwhile, public interest and admiration for Nobel laureate Han Kang continue to grow.
Congratulatory flowers are being sent to her home, while visitors flocked to a bookstore run by Han, though it has been temporarily closed.
Others have opted to visit Paju, Korea’s City of Books, amid the rising interest in literature and Korean authors.
“I read novels a lot, and when I’m fully immersed in books I forget where I am and begin my own adventure.”
The excitement surrounding Han Kang's historic Nobel Prize win has ignited Korea’s passion for literature inspiring many to embrace the charm of traditional paper books and explore the limitless realm of creativity.
Han Da-eun, Arirang News.
(SOA)
Let's hope this trend will be a long-lasting one, especially with an overflow of contents these days available on smart devices.
Bella do you prefer reading paper books or ebooks?
(BELLA)
Now to be honest, I don’t read books on daily basis, but when I do read books once in a while, I prefer paper books. How about you Soa?
(SOA)
I actually have never tried reading an ebook before. Probably I won't for a long time, I don't want paper books to disappear. There are numerous studies that show reading from printed paper is better for comprehension skills and especially for learning skills among children.
(BELLA)
Same here. I have never read e-books. I also feel like reading e-books won’t feel like READING, just watching something on an electronic device. I told you that I don’t read too much, but Soa, how much do you read on average?
(SOA)
That's a good question, my New Year's resolution almost every year includes "reading a lot".
But I read less and less each year.
The Culture Ministry says the avg. no. of books adults in Korea read was 3.9. (12.9 in 2013)
I can imagine that next year the figure may rise.
(BELLA)
We should contribute to that figure.
(SOA)
Good idea.
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2024-10-15, 14:00 (KST)

[@egoeimi333]

Congratulations to Han Kang and South Korea is so proud of her. Even in translation I can feel her words both "tender and brutal." What's up with South Korea? First, Blackpink. Then, Kim Yuna, and now a Nobel Prize winner, Han Kang. Very impressive. Now, maybe a move to give South Korean women equal respect, equal rights, and equal protection to count among civilized nations who promote female equality.🎉❤

[@percyweasley9301]

Good 👍 Congratulations from Assam, India..

[@RVChua-js2dw]

Ebooks are better for those who have bad eyesight. You can change the font and font size to suit what is comfortable for you.