Over 500,000 copies of novels and short stories by Nobel Prize laureate Han Kang have been sold at two of Korea’s leading online bookstores in the four days following her prestigious win, bookstore representatives confirmed on Sunday.
As of 2 p.m. Sunday, a combined 530,000 copies of Han’s works had been sold, following her historic achievement as the first Korean to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature last Thursday. According to reports from Kyobo Book Centre and Yes24, Kyobo sold approximately 260,000 copies, while Yes24 recorded 270,000 sales during the same period.
Han’s works have dominated the bestseller lists, with her books claiming the top 11 spots in real-time rankings at both Kyobo and Yes24. Due to the surge in demand, most sales are now being handled through preorders, though more stock is expected to arrive early this week to address the shortage.
Her 2014 novel 'Human Acts' led the sales list, followed closely by her award-winning 'The Vegetarian' and her latest novel 'We Do Not Part.'
Han Kang’s Nobel Prize win has not only highlighted her accomplishments but also marked a significant moment for the global recognition of Korean literature.