On October 11, Yoo Tae-oh posted a congratulatory message on Instagram announcing Han Kang’s Nobel Prize win. The Swedish Academy described Han Kang, “In his works he addresses historical trauma and invisible domination, revealing the fragility of human life.”
He also shared clips from “Past Lives.” In the film, Nora, who spent her childhood in Korea, boldly states when she immigrated to Canada, “Koreans cannot win the Nobel Prize” AND “You can’t win the Nobel Prize in Korea” as he leaves his homeland. Subsequently, Nora pursues a full-time writing career and dreams of winning a Tony Award.
Yoo Tae-oh starred alongside Greta Lee in “Past Lives”. He responded with humor to the film’s line, “Why South Koreans Can’t Win the Nobel Prize,” saying, “You should have stayed in Korea”. “Past Lives” premiered in the United States in June last year and was released in Korea in March.
Just 7 months after the film’s national release, the dialogue has taken on new meaning, delighting audiences.
On October 10, during a live broadcast, the Swedish Academy announced Han Kang as the winner of this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature. The Academy said: “Han Kang addresses historical trauma and invisible domination in his works, revealing the fragility of human life. She has a unique perception of the connection between body and soul, between the living and the dead, and has become a revolutionary of contemporary prose with her poetic and experimental style.
Han Kang made history as the first Korean author to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, marking a new chapter in Korean literary history. This is also the first time an Asian woman has received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
The award marks the second Nobel Prize for a Korean, following the Peace Prize awarded to former President Kim Dae-jung in 2000, and comes 24 years later.
Source: Nate
