Author Han Kang on Nov. 14 answers questions at a news conference held at Korea Broadcaster Center in Seoul's Yangcheon-gu District on her 2021 novel "I Do Not Bid Farewell" winning the prestigious French literary award Prix Medicis in the foreign literature category. (Munhakdongnae Publishing Group)

By Charles Audouin

"Talking about history itself is a question about the common human nature we all share, so I felt that we can understand and share emotions through the novel without particular explanation."

Acclaimed author Han Kang on Nov. 14 said this at a news conference in Seoul held by Munhakdongnae Publishing Group at Seoul Broadcaster Center in Seoul's Yangcheon-gu District after returning from France to accept the prestigious French literary honor Prix Medicis for foreign literature on Nov. 9. She won the award for her novel "I Do Not Bid Farewell" (2021), which is based on the 1948-49 uprising on Jeju Island.

"We all use different languages and have different cultures and historical contexts, but we share common experiences with violence and genocide committed over a long period, so I think I could share emotions (with French readers)."

Han is the first Korean to win the Prix Medicis, about which she said, "It took seven years to complete the novel but this novel still feels so close to me, so I was happier after hearing that I won the award."

On the awards ceremony in France, she said, "All we did was just take photos and drink champagne at a restaurant without a separate awards ceremony or selection review," adding, "It was fun because of the free atmosphere."

Released in France in August, "I Do Not Bid Farewell" was translated into French by Choi Gyungran and Pierre Bisiou under the title "Impossibles Adieux" (Impossible Farewell).

"The title 'Impossible Farewells' is open-ended and could refer to the person committing the act, me, you, him, her, them or us," Han said. "I loved how the French title was exquisitely translated so that it didn't specify the subject."

"The English-language edition will be published in the second half of next year or early 2025 under the French version's title."

On her next project, she said, "I'm thinking of writing a novel about life, not history," adding, "I want to go from winter to spring."

"I Do Not Bid Farewell" tells the story of the uprising in Jeju from the perspectives of three female protagonists: Gyeong-ha, In-seon and Jeong-sim. In addition to that in France, a version in Taiwan was released this year.

Han's other works published in France include "The Vegetarian" (2007), "The Wind is Blowing" (2010), "Greek Lessons" (2011), "Human Acts" (2014) and "The White Book" (2016).

Novelist Han Kang on Nov. 14 takes a photo at her news conference held at Korea Broadcaster Center in Seoul's Yangcheon-gu District. (Charles Audouin)