Writer Han Kang 한강: "I always move on with the strength of my writing.” | Louisiana Channel

“I always move on with the strength of my writing.” In this powerful portrait, South Korean writer Han Kang - winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature - reveals the story of how she became an author, and how writing helps her pierce her distrust in human beings.
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Han explains how she has always found it overwhelming to look at human beings: “All the things human beings have committed throughout history and throughout the world… When we are confronted by the horror of humanity, we have to question ourselves.” For her, this is a constant inner struggle: “Because I want to embrace this world, and embrace life, but certainly there are points where we cannot…” In connection to this, Han talks about the massacre in Gwangju, South Korea in 1980 - the Gwangju Uprising. Han and her family had just left Gwangju, and the incident sparked a long period with an overwhelming sense of survivor’s guilt: “It was the feeling that some people were hurt instead of us.” That feeling of remorse stayed with Han, who “grew up with this memory that I experienced indirectly.” She never planned to write about it, but with time she felt the need to “penetrate this doubt about human beings through writing,” and so, she started writing ‘Human Acts’. At the end of the interview, you can experience Han reading from the novel.
Han Kang (b. 1970) is a South Korean author of novels, poetry, and short stories. In 2016, she won the Man Booker International Prize for fiction for ‘The Vegetarian’ (2007/2015). Other books include ‘Convalescence’ (2013), the poetry collection ‘I put the evening in the drawer’ (2013), ‘Human Acts’ (2014/2016), and the autobiography ‘The White Book’ (2016/2017). Han is also the recipient of the 25th Korean Novel Award (1999), Yi Sang Literary Prize (2005), and the Korean Literature Novel Award (2013), among others. In 2018, she became the fifth writer chosen to contribute to the Future Library project. For more see: www.han-kang.ne...
Han Kang was interviewed by Christian Lund in May 2019 at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark.
Camera: Rasmus Quistgaard
Produced by Christian Lund
Edited by Klaus Elmer
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2020
Supported by Nordea-fonden
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Twitter: / louisianachann

[@ajayvarmaalluri1462]

Who are here after the Nobel Prize announcement?

[@azam5542]

Me😂

[@Harfa_Traw]

Me!

[@Lee-o8f]

Ye it was on sputnik

[@민후다]

😍✋Because of bts I know her

[@dpelpal]

Me❤

[@ajayvarmaalluri1462]

Congratulations for the Nobel Prize!

[@maidaiftikhar6901]

She sounds and feels like a living and breathing piece of literature !

[@queenofgoats]

Her writing really embodies her, soft, sensitive and not shying away from horrifically painful subjects.

[@jhaley3138]

Han Kang wanted to lament South Korea's forceless individuals. She Sobbed and Mourned Gwang-ju Democracy protest against dictator. Victims from corrupt Society and tears that can not exposed were her subject. Han Kang's literature aways make me cry.

[@davidsheriff9274]

Yes, she is so calm and soft spoken, it's hard to believe that she could write a book like "The Vegetarian" that is so visceral. I guess still waters really do run deep.

[@fielanipohahau9386]

Stopping by to give this woman her flowers - she seems so in tune with herself, congrats on the Nobel Prize!

[@lepetitchat123]

Where are the flowers?

[@introsig7696]

@@lepetitchat123 🏵🌹🥀🌺🌺🌻

[@jongbokparkjim4058]

I'm crying while I listen Ed the kwangju story, at that time I was on national army duty at DMZ like warrior zone. And I heard my hometown destroyed by my own army. IT was like Vietnam War moral injury then after Duty and became alcoholics why I didn't know to be an addict. Now 66 old year alway s much anxiety and sorrow.

[@Artiste_du_Code]

한강은 ..역사의 아픔과 고통은 잊어서 치유하는게 아니라 기억해서 치유해야 함을 보여주죠..

[@spainbarcafootyfan]

you can tell that she has already cried all the tears she can shed over gwangju. now it's like a permanent, silent sadness in her eyes.

[@오늘도유튜브와]

She is a soft vortex. Her gentleness sucks you in. It’s a great feeling.

[@johnboyw.fromtreves9997]

What a beautiful voice. Also everything she says is so deep. I did not read one of her books so far but only by this interview I’m Allready convinced she totally deserves to win the Nobel prize. Congrats for that! till today Asian literature (also really good one) never really touched my heart. I’m very excited to discover her writing because I think She is able to convince me of the Emotional strength of Asian literature

[@vipjacq]

What an incredible woman

[@chidanandamurthygs1466]

Heart felt congratulations to South Korean novelist Han Kang ❤❤🌹🌹

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

Props, Louisiana, for this long-form interview. Goodness, the Nobel Prize. Well done.

[@spainbarcafootyfan]

how she can be so eloquent in a language that isn't her native language, is incredible. it shows that these issues go beyond words for her.

[@jayleefr1]

Salutations, Han Kang ! Prix Nobel de littérature pour l'année 2024.C'est mon fierté.

[@TheDavizlau]

Her soft heart and writings inspire Koreans and the people around the world. Thank you.

[@dometiwat]

Her voice is so calm. It has a monk-like sound, so soothing.

[@王小欢-p8x]

🎉

[@filmreifberaten]

I just return from Korea and so well feel with her kind and weighted words. Suffering being proof for love. Searching for the white, the pure presence of death while being alive, still. Pure poetry & humbleness

[@medhcine]

Congratulations for the Nobel Prize! Such a pure soul, join to her the Peace Prize of tomorrow

[@viviendomisabatico1587]

She sounds like an angel, so soft.

[@viviendomisabatico1587]

And then she won the Nobel Prize ❤️

[@Oystermato]

Unintentional ASMR from a female Korean Nobel winner who hails from a severe patriarchal society. I could cry.

[@Oystermato]

Edit I’m cryingz

[@eeelll9338]

yeah the tingling

[@superfastracing]

The Nobel Prize was well-deserved. #ShareHope #Read #Books

[@shupingwang3392]

Nicely and sensitively spoken. Congratulations !

[@osh_hoq6217]

She has such a soft voice!

[@yesman870]

Your right! Almost Korean has soft voice.

[@Asankorkmaz]

Shim's Numismatic iiijii zdr

[@밤으로의.긴여로]

NO PERSONA. NO EGO. REAL SELF

[@EugeneLaMothe]

You bring tears into my soul and make me think about the positive side of human nature. I've been your fan for a while now, and you deserve this when the world needs to read your novels to think about themselves. Congrats!

[@ocs0236]

너무 멋지세요. 우리가 겪은 세월호, 이태원참사 등등 수많은 사고와 고통의 아픔을 잊혀지지 않는 기억의 책으로 만들어 주세요.

[@kasianfranmitja5298]

this is a woman of pure creativeness and the will to show something that others dont see, but she does. This is the voice of someone that has been through stuff, personal and other thing. Brilliant author that possesses incredible authenticity and depth.

[@naghamosman7147]

I agree. I really feel that way too.

[@jhaley3138]

Han Kang's literature had lamented South Korea's forceless individuals and tragic history. Gwang-ju democracy protest was always her Sorrow and grief. She wanted to console mundane scar and wipe their tears that Could not exposed. Human Being was always tragic existence who can not run away from Anxiety.

[@tomeksocha3440]

Ah, amazing voice. Its like ASMR. And one of best writers.

[@joseantonio-ui7hg]

What a sweet voice❤

[@cegalo12]

I came here because of the Nobel Prize announcement I’m staying because of the unintentional ASMR

[@hemantdevkar6036]

Congratulations Han Kang for prestigious Nobel prize 2024 for Literature...🎉

[@iodisyne]

the last part - how beautiful and heart-wrenching that passage was. i don't know the complete context but given what i know about the book, I can’t believe someone somewhat removed from the inspiration could conjure something so evocative. was she herself watching it unfold, watching the speaker vocalize that memorial to someone? how can she write such instigating, stirring yet melancholic prose? no wonder she won the prize, i can't wait for my copy of the human act. as someone from a country with its own history of dictatorship, this feels especially timely

[@jungkim9680]

Amazing books, I read couple of her books 20 years ago. Happy for her.

[@sheafifa]

Isn't she starting in writing from 2016?

[@EricBidopa]

Nobel Price 2024 for literature well deserved!

[@SJ-rf6fd]

한강 작가님을 여기서 뵙다니 반갑습니다. 잔잔한 목소리 인터뷰 너무 듣기 좋아요

[@stellanoona]

너무 멋져요

[@dorakang4526]

Congratulations for your Novel Literature Prize ❤

[@SSSundaygirl]

I’m really proud that i share same language with her! Love her gorgeous vibes.

[@TheMountains-qb8mq]

CONGRATULATIONS on your Nobel

[@tetidiana8463]

This is the first time I see Han kang's interview after in 2018 read her book. I got goosebump for this because she is like talk with her self in such wholesome mind. Such an inspiring person!

[@thelouisianachannel]

We agree!

[@vincentyoo]

노벨문학상 수상을 거듭 축하드려요~^^

[@kitszasz3971]

Her poem "Mark Rothko and I - Death in February" is amazing. I'm glad to have discovered this video and implicitly, her work

[@grayharrison9578]

She has such a beautiful spirit, and it translates into her writing.

[@Pappabajskorv]

Congrats for the Nobel, Kang!

[@Shahittyer_Pasha]

Congratulations for the Nobel Prize!

[@sumandak1234]

She has a soothing voice. Her voice help me sleep at night

[@yakoubyakoub9315]

Congratulations!

[@naghamosman7147]

I love The Vegetarian. The story moved me so much.

[@julietshj]

So proud of you ❤ congratulations 🎉

[@aham9570]

What a pleasant voice

[@phoiutopianihilist6756]

congratulation for the nobel prize, my idol!

[@anja5305]

Love all of her novels that are translated into english ❤️ I've read all of it and re-read about 2-3 times

[@paulharvey2396]

God bless you and strengthen you in achieving your good work amen God bless and strengthen your family with peace health happiness and prosperity amen

[@shafiqahmedbhuiyan438]

congratulations ❤

[@benrezenarosa]

Congratulations, Han Kang! #NobelPrizeforLiterature

[@stevenbillington5419]

Shye has the power to draw us into a world that exists in imagination and right in front of us. I'll find here work, buy them, read them as my own.

[@jhaley3138]

Han Kang's literature had lamented South Korea's forceless individuals. She Always mentioned the mundane Sorrows and Anxiety that dominating Human Being's sprit. She is Caring as well as Sharp.

[@alvarogarrido7313]

She reminds me of Björk in a way. I love her writing. The Vegetarian struck me.

[@churchillomondi7253]

Congratulations

[@NehaJain-ih7cz]

Thank you so much for this interview❤️

[@fintuberglobal171]

Congratulations 🙏🙏

[@excellenceenglishclassesbh1210]

Congratulations for 1st Asian women novel laureate

[@HildaSotelo]

Her voice

[@terryreilly1457]

Almost similar to Kan Hang, I attended four primary schools. I relate to what she is saying. Maybe by attending five primary schools, the experiences helped het to become a writer as she got to socialize more than most students.

[@ilknur667]

❤ congratulations 💙

[@GoranMeriwani]

There’s a bit of secret in her voice could be the unwitting novels, Cong

[@gorgebridge]

How serious she takes all the horror things she witnessed. I admire her attitude of being responsible as a member of the society she belongs to, which most of us are usually not like her. She now has concerns about all the victims in the Middle East and Ukraine, so she has not been in any interviews or events since she received the prize.

[@TheM1988z]

المعاناة تصنع العباقرة

[@escrlirio]

Congratulations🎉🎉🎉 ✊🏻🇧🇷

[@natalilumiere8540]

Grattis till Han Kang i Nobelpriset i litteratur 2024!❤

[@WB10-12]

Congratulations 👏🎉❤

[@sirenstrobelight]

Splendid

[@ashokmudgal6362]

Congrats🎉

[@PeaceLoveWorld-om4zx]

Congratulations han kang!!'*

[@churchillomondi7253]

Magic

[@carlosferreyra6315]

Es una autora formidable

[@xoxo-dr8df]

If you wanna see feminism at its finest, The Vegetarian is the book to read. The protagonist's "go big or go home" resilience and resolve will shake you.

[@yashnapalchyal2920]

Need help with the novel

[@davidsheriff9274]

Is that really how you interpreted that character?

[@avamacky2793]

Totally agreed. The status of women has been merely observational object, and especially in South Korea, that is a significant factor contributing to the country’s notably low birth rate, and anti marriage boom; The primary form of resistance by Korean woman manifests as a protest against unbearable level of rotted, barbaric and psychopathic patriarchy. Their mutual movement not only underscores the pervasive gender inequalities that persist within Korean society but also highlights the deep-seated frustrations and anger faced by millions of Young-hye.

[@jjchoi5691]

진심 축하합니다.

[@rudranilkundu8994]

🌹🙏

[@thecinematicmind]

Back here after finally getting the Nobel Prize for Literature.

[@vitasinohina6526]

Does she has instagram account? Give link, please)

[@날쌘고양이]

She doesn't have it..>

[@poochinhuat]

Where can I download this interview transcript?

[@sven-ottolittorin6091]

nobel prajs!!

[@06june82]

Congrats to Her ….this award should not be dominated by Westerners ….

[@mrdrbargain4422]

Many of her novels are based on a major historical event in Korea - 5.18 Democratic Movement of 1980. During the Movement, hundreds, if not thousands, of Koreans were shot and killed by their own government, but the party responsible still denies it until this day. Back in 2012 when she was writing one of her novels, Korean government - ruled by the same party - blacklisted her in an attempt to stop her from publishing anything. The same party is still in power today in Korea, and they still continue to ban her books in libraries, and spread false rumors about 5.18 Movement.

[@jipiljung1826]

그 누구의 불행도 바라지 않지만 전두환 자손들은 사죄하면서 살아야 한다. 살해하고 고문하고 재산 축적하고 당신의 할아버지가 한 짓을 알아야한다. 모르면 전두환이 한 짓이 전두환 자손들에게 똑같은 것이 벌어지길 바래요.

[@jhaley3138]

Gwang-ju Democracy Protest Against dictator was South Korea's tragedy. I Always felt Deep Sorrow when I thought about Gwang-ju. South Koreans have depts that have to repay for Gwang-ju people. I was 25 years old but knew What happend that day in Gwang-ju. Deep Sorrow. Lament them. Mourn them.

[@井上彩-l3r]

🎉

[@rainsbooksandfilms]

ನೋಬೆಲ್ ಬಳಿಕ ನೋಡುವವರು 😅

[@eeelll9338]

the cognitive dissonance of this discoursing about human brutalities being unintentional asmr

[@Sarkaft_Bakirmani]

نۆبل

[@hoppipollaindonesia9328]

Han Kang is definitely one of my most favorite authors. I first read Human Acts among her 3 novels that are translated into English. And it was mind-blowing! It is by far, the best book I've ever read. I've read it about 3 times, I even use it as my thesis material that I am writing at this moment. I've read The White Book, too and it was so gentle. It was quite hard to comprehend the writing in TWB, so I read it twice and it got even better. I'm planning to read The Vegetarian after finishing my thesis. I really want to read all her works. WOW

[@jhaley3138]

Han Kang is my Favorite Author too. "Human acts" is the story about Gwang-ju democracy protest against dictator. She is daughter of South Korea's Anguish & Suffering.. Her literature always Lament forceless individuals and Tragedy. South Korea's tragic history and corrupt society had hurted her deeply, But Han Kang always wanted to lament and console the griefs. She Never runs away from anxiety & Sorrow that is being aside of human beings.

[@yashnapalchyal2920]

Have anyone read her "The Vegetarian"?

[@mundicox8951]

I just read The Vegeterian recently, and it's still constantly in my mind. Very powerful and distressing. One of the best things I think I've ever read.

[@PureGuard-bx1ow]

Congratulations for the Nobel Prize!

[@rudranilkundu8994]

🌹🙏