After K-pop K-novels? The South Korean Nobel Prize winner inspires joy and hope at home

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From the president to K-pop megastar BTS, South Korea erupted in celebration Thursday after “The Vegetarian” author Han Kang won the country's first Nobel Prize for Literature.

The 53-year-old, who also won the Booker Prize in 2016, has long been a key – if somewhat reserved – figure in popularizing contemporary Korean literature around the world.

After her Booker win catapulted her into the spotlight – and sparked a surge in international sales – Han said she would prefer people to hear her voice “in the form of writings”.

“The best way, in my opinion, is to hide in my room and start writing as soon as possible,” she said.

But her Nobel Prize immediately dominated headlines in South Korea, Han's photo appeared on the front pages of news websites and headlines celebrated her historic win – the first for an Asian woman.

“Is this the beginning of K-novels?” wrote the daily Munhwa Ilbo, referring to the so-called Korean wave in which the country's K-pop music and K-drama television programs topped global charts.

“She showed K-literature to the world,” it continued.

Awards poured in from across South Korean society, from the president to an ordinary book lover like Oh Ah-young, who expressed surprise at Han's Nobel Prize.

“I first read her works during a literature course in college and was fascinated by her experimental yet sophisticated writing style,” said the gallery’s curator.

“Her work seemed unrepresentative of mainstream Korean literature at the time, around 2010, but stood out for its unique style and distinct genre. I was really surprised by her winning the Booker Prize in 2016, and now I'm equally surprised by her Nobel Prize.”

The country's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, congratulated Han.

“This is a monumental achievement in the history of Korean literature and a national celebration that brings joy to all South Koreans,” he wrote on his Facebook account.

K-pop megastars were quick to react to the news, with BTS member RM sharing media reports of Hans Sieg with a crying face and a heart emoji.

Fellow BTS member V also shared the news on Instagram, writing alongside a bow emoji: “I read your book 'Human Act: A Novel' in the army. Congratulations.”

Book critic Kim Seong-shin said the academy's choice was beyond reproach.

“I would say she is the most deserving Korean writer to win the Nobel Prize,” Kim said.