SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) – Han Kang’s powerful novel, “Human Acts,” has been named the most-borrowed book at public libraries across South Korea in the past year, according to recent government data.
The critically acclaimed book was borrowed an impressive 60,504 times from 1,583 public libraries nationwide. The National Library of Korea’s data also revealed that Han Kang’s other celebrated works, “The Vegetarian” and “We Do Not Part,” secured the second and third positions, respectively, highlighting her enduring popularity.
“Human Acts,” published in 2014, is a poignant and unflinching narrative centered around the tragic story of Dong-ho, a young boy who loses his life during the brutal military crackdown of the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising in May 1980. The novel delves into themes of trauma, resilience, and the enduring impact of historical events.
“Following Han Kang’s Nobel Prize in Literature win, seventeen of her works were among the top 1,000 most-borrowed books in 2025,” a library official stated. “The White Book” also ranked impressively at seventh place, demonstrating sustained reader interest in her diverse body of work.
Beyond Han Kang’s individual success, the data indicates a broader trend of Korean literature’s popularity among library patrons. Korean literature books accounted for a substantial 25 percent of all borrowed books last year, demonstrating a strong interest in domestic authors and stories.
This undated file photo shows Han Kang’s 2014 work “Human Acts” on display at a bookstore. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
