SEOUL: More than 500,000 copies of books by Nobel Prize laureate Han Kang have been sold across two major South Korean online bookstores following her historic win.
According to Yonhap News Agency, approximately 530,000 copies of Han’s works were purchased from Kyobo Book Centre and Yes24 by Sunday afternoon. This surge in sales comes after the announcement last Thursday that Han had become the first South Korean to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Kyobo Book Centre reported sales of around 260,000 copies, while Yes24 accounted for 270,000 copies from Thursday until Sunday.
Han’s literary works, including her novels and poetry, have dominated the top 11 spots in the real-time bestseller rankings at both Kyobo and Yes24, with most books now available only through preorders due to high demand. A bookstore official indicated that the current supply shortage is likely to improve with new stock expected over the weekend and early this week.
Among the bestselling titles are Han’s 2014 novel “Human Acts
“, her award-winning book “The Vegetarian”, and her most recent publication, “We Do Not Part”. These books top the sales list, reflecting a robust interest in Han’s writing, which is acclaimed for its depth and emotional intensity.
Han’s recognition at the Nobel Prize ceremony has not only elevated her status but also significantly boosted the global profile of Korean literature.