NEWS Window: Culture South Korea’s Han Kang receives the Nobel Prize in Literature, with deep significance for Asia and women | Mainichi Shimbun

Motoko Hamada Mainichi Shimbun Editorial Writer

I wonder if a Japanese writer will be selected. Every year, one thing that makes me nervous is the announcement of the winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature by the Swedish Academy. If he is selected this time, he will be the first person in 30 years since Kenzaburo Oe to become the third person to be selected (Japan). Except for a rare Englishman, Kazuo Ishiguro, the award went to Han Kang from South Korea. This is the first time for an Asian female writer.

In 2016, an oppressive society was revealed through a woman who refused to eat meat. “Vegetarians”, who question the question of food safety, have won the prestigious Booker International Prize in the UK and become world-famous. We have become known throughout the world. It has been translated extensively in Europe and Japan.

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Don’t turn your eyes away from the violence in society, and keep your heart close to the wounds and pain of people. Masu. “Small” is a representative work that deals with tragic events in the modern history of Korea. “Nen ga kuru” and “Wakare wo Tsugenai” are also examples of such works. The Academy aims to “come together with historical trauma and express the fragility of human life.” He praised it as “a powerful and powerful piece of writing.”

With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the spread of fighting in the Middle East, many people, including children, are being killed every day. It can be said that this is a work that deeply resonates in today’s world, where there are countless victims. Probably.

Speaking of South Korea, entertainment such as K-pop, movies, and dramas such as BTS (BTS) are highly praised. It has gained worldwide popularity. It looks like Korean literature will also be added to this.

This time, I believe that the words “Asia” and “women” also have significance. Until now, there has been criticism that it is biased towards white men. In the wake of scandals involving Academy personnel, organizational reforms were promoted, and since receiving the award in 2018, One of the reasons is that every year, men and women take turns winning the award. However, including Han Kang, only 18 out of 121 people are women, making them still a minority.

We promote mutual understanding through stories that bring together the diverse voices of the world. I hope that the award will play such a role.

After working in the Gakugei Department at the Osaka head office, he started working in the Gakugei Department at the Tokyo head office in 2010. Responsible for theater and entertainment. Concurrently serves as an editorial committee member since 2018. Appreciation of over 350 performing arts performances in 2019. Co-authored “Shunpuutei Ichinosuke: Rakugo no Takuricho”.