This year, Korean literature reached the heights of international recognition with Han Kang’s historic Nobel Prize win headlining the parade.
The Literature Translation Institute of Korea, a government-affiliated institution under the Culture Ministry, wrapped up this year's nominations and wins for Korean literature overseas.
One notable entry is Hwang Sok-yong's intergenerational epic "Mater 2-10," co-translated by Sora Kim-Russell and Youngjae Josephine Bae, which was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. This marks the third consecutive year that Korean literature has been nominated for one of the world’s three major literary awards.
Given Han’s 2016 International Booker Prize win, which elevated her to international prominence, the consistent presence of Korean works at the Booker Prize underscores their growing global impact, noted an LTI official.
Among the entries is Hwang Bo-reum’s heartwarming "Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop," which won the Japan Booksellers’ Award, also known as the Bookstore Award. The annual honor is decided by bookstore clerks nationwide. It is the third Korean novel to win since the translation category was introduced in 2012, following Sohn Won-pyung’s "Almond" in 2020 and "Counterattack at Thirty" in 2022.
Acclaimed poet Kim Hye-soon’s collection "Phantom Pain Wings," translated by Don Mee Choi, won the poetry prize at the National Book Critics Circle Awards in the US in March. Kim is the first Korean to receive this prestigious award. Originally published in 2019 to mark her 40th year as a writer, the collection explores war trauma and collective grief through innovative narrative techniques.
Two additional works -- Lee Seong-bok’s "Indeterminate Inflorescence" and Keum Suk Gendry-Kim’s graphic novel "The Naked Tree" -- were longlisted for the Barrios Translation Award by the National Book Critics Circle in the US.
Han’s "We Do Not Part," translated into French by Choi Kyung-ran and Pierre Bisiou, won the Emile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature in March. Its English edition is slated for release next year. This marks the novel’s second French literary accolade, following the Prix Medicis for foreign literature in November 2023.
Additionally, Kim Soom’s "The Wandering Earth" was also considered for the Emile Guimet Prize, but did not make the shortlist.
In the Emile Guimet Prize's graphic novel category, Ma Yeong-shin’s "Moms," translated by Lee Hyon-hee, was one of two finalists in the award's inaugural year. The darkly funny graphic novel follows three middle-aged women, reexamining romance, lust and gender norms. It was also recognized as a candidate for the official selection of the 51st Angouleme International Comics Festival, although it did not secure an award.
While Im Seong-sun's crime thriller "The Consultant," translated by Brother Anthony (An Seon-jae), was shortlisted for the Dagger Award in the UK, Park Sang-young’s "Love in the Big City," translated by Anton Hur, was shortlisted for France’s Prix Medicis.
Children’s author Lee Geum-yi was also nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
Long-term strategies and investments needed
These accomplishments were supported by LTI Korea, which has facilitated the international publication of Korean literature through funding programs. Han, in particular, has received the most publication support, according to LTI Korea.
Following Han’s Nobel Prize win, LTI Korea requested an additional budget of 6 billion won ($4.1 million) from the National Assembly, but the budget request was rejected. Instead, the organization’s 2025 budget was finalized at 14 billion won.
"To maintain this momentum, active government and parliamentary support is essential. Without increased funding, there is concern that these achievements may remain a one-time occurrence," said an LTI Korea official.
