In Han Kang’s poignant new novel, a harrowing scene unfolds as a character suffers a woodworking mishap, resulting in the gruesome loss of fingertip segments. Medical staff work relentlessly to save what remains, inserting needles into the patient's sutures to stimulate blood flow and prevent further decay. “They said we have to let the blood flow, that I have to feel the pain,” she confides, highlighting the paradox where pain becomes intertwined with the essence of life.
Through her powerful storytelling, Ms. Kang has delved into South Korea’s historical wounds—exploring the 1980 Gwangju massacre that stifled democratic movements and a more catastrophic event on Jeju Island where tens of thousands lost their lives. Following her prestigious Nobel Prize win in Literature last October, her works have garnered critical acclaim both nationally and internationally.
This week marks the English translation debut of her novel focused on the Jeju tragedy, titled “We Do Not Part,” drawing attention to the shadows of history that linger in the contemporary South Korean psyche. Ms. Kang's exploration of pain, memory, and the quest for truth continues to resonate, portraying the profound impacts of trauma on individuals and societies alike.
As she articulated during her Nobel Prize acceptance, recognizing these painful episodes of history ensures they remain a vital current in understanding and healing the collective human experience.
Through her powerful storytelling, Ms. Kang has delved into South Korea’s historical wounds—exploring the 1980 Gwangju massacre that stifled democratic movements and a more catastrophic event on Jeju Island where tens of thousands lost their lives. Following her prestigious Nobel Prize win in Literature last October, her works have garnered critical acclaim both nationally and internationally.
This week marks the English translation debut of her novel focused on the Jeju tragedy, titled “We Do Not Part,” drawing attention to the shadows of history that linger in the contemporary South Korean psyche. Ms. Kang's exploration of pain, memory, and the quest for truth continues to resonate, portraying the profound impacts of trauma on individuals and societies alike.
As she articulated during her Nobel Prize acceptance, recognizing these painful episodes of history ensures they remain a vital current in understanding and healing the collective human experience.
