Author
H.D. PARK
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When people around the world think of Korea, they usually think of K-pop, K-dramas, or even K-beauty. The global rise of Hallyu (한류), or the Korean Wave, has taken music and TV by storm—but there’s one area that’s still quietly making its mark: Korean literature.
While it’s not as flashy or widely known as idols or dramas, Korean literature is just as powerful. A great example of that is Han Kang, a Korean author who was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. It was a proud moment for Korean readers, and a proof that Korean stories deserve to be heard.
Even months after the announcement, Han Kang’s novels are still sitting on the bestseller shelves of major bookstores across Korea. And honestly, it’s not just hype or marketing—her books really stay with you.
Over her career, Han Kang has written many novels, but there are three that stand out as her most iconic. In this post, I’ll introduce all three, and also share which one I personally recommend as the best Han Kang book to start with—especially if you’re new to Korean literature.
Who is Han Kang?
Han Kang (한강) was born in Gwangju, South Korea, in 1970. She began as a poet before turning to fiction, and her writing often explores the themes of trauma, memory, identity, and silence. Her stories don’t follow typical plots—instead, they dive into what it means to be human, especially in the face of suffering.
When The Vegetarian won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, it put her on the global literary map. And then in 2024, Han Kang made history by becoming the first Korean writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
So if you’re thinking of starting to read her work, now is the perfect time to ask:
What’s the best Han Kang book to start with?
Her Three Most Famous Books
The Vegetarian (채식주의자)
This is the book that first brought Han Kang international attention. It tells the story of Yeong-hye, a woman who suddenly decides to stop eating meat after having a series of disturbing dreams. What follows is a psychological unraveling of not just Yeong-hye, but everyone around her.
The book is told from three different perspectives and touches on themes like bodily autonomy, violence, and resistance. It’s poetic and symbolic—but I’ll be honest, it’s also quite abstract. As a casual reader, I found it hard to fully grasp. Some parts left me wondering, What did that mean? Still, it’s a powerful work of art.
Human Acts (소년이 온다) – My Top Pick
Now this is the one I highly recommend if you’re starting out. Human Acts is based on a tragic real-life event—the Gwangju Uprising of 1980, when hundreds of civilians, including teenagers and university students, were brutally killed by the military during a pro-democracy protest.
This dark chapter in modern Korean history began when citizens rose up against authoritarian rule. What started as peaceful demonstrations escalated into violent military suppression, leaving the city in grief and silence. The tragedy remained censored and buried in public discourse for years. Many families never received justice, and the emotional scars still linger.
The novel follows several characters, each dealing with the trauma of the uprising in different ways. This book hit me hard in the heart. Personally, I was born and raised in Gwangju as well, and so were my parents. I learned about 5.18(the day of Gwangju Uprising) in school, but it felt like a faraway story—until I read Human Acts.
This book made me feel the pain, the silence, the rage. It showed me what people went through, not just physically, but deep down emotionally. I found myself connecting with the characters in such a raw and honest way, even crying with them at times. I believe this is the true power of a good novel. A good written story takes you back in time and make you feel what it would have been like to live those moments.
So if you’re wondering about the best Han Kang book to start with, this is it. Human Acts is accessible, emotional, and rooted in real history.
A Note on the Title
In Korean, the book’s original title is 소년이 온다, which translates directly to A Boy Comes or The Boy Is Coming. The Korean title focuses more on the innocent lives lost, especially one central teenage boy whose story opens the novel.
The English title, Human Acts, takes a broader view—emphasizing the universal human cost of violence and the moral questions of what it means to be human in the face of cruelty.
We Do Not Part (작별하지 않는다)
This is one of Han Kang’s more recent novels, and it focuses on the Jeju Uprising, another traumatic part of Korea’s past. The story follows Kyungha, who begins to uncover forgotten memories and hidden grief tied to political violence and family secrets.
I haven’t had the chance to read this one yet, but from everything I’ve researched, it seems to continue Han Kang’s tradition of quiet yet deeply emotional storytelling. It’s definitely on my reading list, and I’m looking forward to diving into it in the near future.
So… What’s the Best Han Kang Book to Start With?
Let’s wrap it up :
- The Vegetarian – Famous and artistic, but can be confusing for beginners.
- Human Acts – Emotional, grounded in real history, and easier to connect with.
- We Do Not Part – A newer release dealing with similar themes of trauma and memory.
If you ask me, the best Han Kang book to start with is definitely Human Acts. It helps you understand her voice, her message, and how she gives meaning to Korean history through literature.
Han Kang’s books aren’t “easy reads,” but they are meaningful ones. If you’re ready to feel something real, to understand Korean history in a human and personal way, her books are the right place to start.
