Novelist Han Kang, second from the left, is seen in this family photo from her childhood, shared by her father, novelist Han Seung-won, left, during a meeting with reporters, Friday. Yonhap

Bae Yoon-kyung, 71, who has long since retired from teaching, vividly recalls "that student" from 37 years ago. A quiet figure who often seemed deep in thought, always attentive in class with bright eyes — this was Han Kang, 53, the winner of the Nobel Prize in literature, during her high school days.

As Han's homeroom teacher in her second year at Poongmoon Girls' High School, now Poongmoon High School, Bae remembered Han as a quiet leader who led her classmates by example rather than by loud commands.

"(Han) Kang was a class president with quiet charisma," Bae recalled. "She acted first, and the other students naturally followed," Bae said.

Bae also remembered Han's dedication to her studies. "Kang was always calm and dependable. Other teachers also praised her sharp focus and ability to absorb knowledge quickly," she said. "I still remember her unassuming face when I called her name. With such a pure heart, it's no wonder she went on to create remarkable works."

Following Han's Nobel Prize win, those who crossed paths with her — whether mentors, former colleagues, or fellow writers — expressed their pride and admiration.

From "a quiet and diligent student" to "a meticulous and thoughtful journalist" and "a writer who sings beautifully," each person remembered different aspects of Han, but they all shared the same sense of joy and celebration.

Writer Han Kang poses in this undated past photo. Korea Times file

Creativity based on careful research

Though best known as an author, Han also briefly worked as a magazine journalist in the early stages of her career.

After graduating from Yonsei University's Korean literature department in 1993, Han worked as a reporter for well-known monthly Saemteo magazine while simultaneously pursuing her writing.

That same year, she debuted as a poet in the winter issue of Literature and Society, and in 1994, her short story "The Red Anchor" won the Seoul Shinmun New Writer's Contest, marking her entrance into fiction.

Park Mong-koo, a poet who worked as an editor of Saemteo magazine at the time, recalled Han's deep compassion for marginalized communities.

"She carefully planned stories about people living in difficult conditions, such as those working in coal-mining towns in Gangwon Province," Park said. "Even when writing fiction, she didn't rely solely on imagination but instead conducted thorough research, which brought the lives of her characters vividly to life."

Park also praised Han's writing skills during her time as a journalist. "Even before her debut as a novelist, her writing was flawless. In our magazine, senior editors often made a lot of corrections, but with Han, once she had conducted her research, her writing was so perfect that it needed no further revisions."

Fellow writers also shared memories of Han's surprising talents beyond literature.

Kim Chang-gyu, a poet and head of the 5.18 Democratic Movement Injured Association's Chungcheong Branch, remembered Han's lively presence at gatherings.

"She was not only an outstanding writer but also someone who could sing beautifully and dance gracefully at after-parties," Kim said. "It's deeply moving to see how she has become such an influential figure in history."

Congratulatory flower arrangements are in place in front of the residence of Nobel Prize in literature recipient Han Kang, Sunday. Yonhap

Han's alma mater, Yonsei University, also celebrated her achievement with pride. The university's student newspaper published a special edition to commemorate the historic win.

Online, alums honored the accomplishments of other prominent Yonsei-affiliated writers, such as Yun Dong-ju, Kim Soo-young, Choi In-ho, Ki Hyoung-do and Kim Young-ha.

Mok Ji-soo, 25, a member of Yonsei's literary club, expressed the excitement shared by many students. "When the news broke, our group chat was flooded with messages about 'our Yonsei senior' and 'a momentous event.' It felt like the world suddenly brightened," she said. "It's so fulfilling to see the world finally recognize Han Kang."

Fellow club member Oh Sang-hyun, 25, echoed this sentiment, saying, "I've always believed that Han Kang would one day win the Nobel Prize, and now that it's happened, I couldn't be happier."

Novelist Han Seung-won, father of Nobel laureate Han Kang, poses with her in his arms as a young child in this family photo. He shared several family photos from her childhood Friday during a meeting with reporters at his writing studio in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province. Yonhap

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.