Han Kang's Nobel-Winning Novel Explores South Korea's Traumatic Past

The 2024 Nobel laureate's 'Unmöglicher Abschied' delves into the Jeju Massacre through themes of memory, grief, and resilience.

Han Kang's latest novel, 'Unmöglicher Abschied,' examines the 1948-1949 Jeju Massacre, where over 30,000 were killed under accusations of being communists.
The story follows Gyeongha, a writer grappling with trauma, as she uncovers her friend's family history and the atrocities on Jeju Island.
The novel blends historical fact with poetic imagery, moving between reality and dreamlike sequences to explore grief and memory.
Han Kang uses motifs like snow and birds to contrast the heaviness of the subject matter with moments of lightness and transcendence.
The book continues Han Kang's exploration of South Korea's painful history, a theme central to her acclaimed works such as 'Human Acts' and 'The Vegetarian.'