MBC Documentary 'Han Kang Comes' Celebrates Nobel Prize Win Amidst National Turmoil

The MBC special documentary '한강이 온다' (Han Kang Comes) will air in honor of author Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature. On December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a state of emergency, which sparked widespread civil unrest, leading to the National Assembly's decision to impeach him on December 14. Coincidentally, Han Kang became the first South Korean to receive the Nobel Prize in Sweden during this tumultuous period. Her notable works, '소년이 온다' (The Boy is Coming) and '작별하지 않는다' (The Farewell), explore the tragic civilian massacres and the stories of survivors during the states of emergency in Gwangju in 1980 and Jeju in 1948, respectively. The simultaneous occurrence of these significant events has drawn historical attention.

'소년이 온다' is set against the backdrop of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, where many citizens lost their lives. Han Kang's father, Han Seung-won, recalled bringing home a clandestinely circulated photo album related to the uprising, which left a lasting impact on young Han Kang. She reflected on this trauma during her Nobel lecture, stating that the images of mutilated faces left her with profound questions about humanity. Kim Gil-ja, the mother of the late activist Moon Jae-hak, expressed her gratitude, saying, "The struggles we fought for decades were brought to the world through the author's book."

During the official press conference on December 6, Han Kang shared her thoughts on the 2024 state of emergency. Observing the situation until her departure for Sweden, she noted that unlike the past, the current state of emergency was broadcast live for everyone to witness. She was particularly struck by the attitudes of the police and military, feeling they were acting with hesitation and internal conflict. Her comments resonate with the recent moral declarations made by commanders involved in the December 3 emergency.

Han Kang is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature since Albert Camus and the first Asian woman to achieve this honor. While her win is seen as groundbreaking, it is also viewed as a potential turning point for the Nobel Prize itself. Tamima Anam, a former Booker Prize judge, praised Han Kang as one of the greatest living writers, recalling how her novel '채식주의자' (The Vegetarian) was unanimously chosen as the winner during the 2016 Booker Prize deliberations. Literary critic Jeong Yeoul remarked that Han Kang's award embodies the significance of Asia, women, and youth, enhancing the reputation of the Nobel Prize, which has faced criticism for being outdated.

In a world where wars and state violence persist, and democracy is under threat in South Korea due to the state of emergency, Han Kang's Nobel Prize win carries profound significance. The documentary '한강이 온다' will be broadcast tonight (December 16) at 10:50 PM on MBC.