Seoul: South Korean author Han Kang will publish her first book since receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature last December, her publisher said Thursday. The essay collection, titled "Light and Thread," is set for release next Thursday by Moonji Publishing Co.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the book marks the ninth volume in the publisher's ongoing essay series and shares its title with Han's Nobel lecture, delivered in Stockholm, ahead of the award ceremony. The collection will include approximately ten pieces, featuring Han's Nobel lecture, previously published poems, and diary-like essays that delve into her experiences with poetry, gardening, and the act of writing itself.
About half of the content will be published for the first time, with the remainder consisting of works previously released in literary magazines. Among the included works are two poems, "North-Facing Room" and "Meditation on Pain," which originally appeared in last year's autumn issue of Moonji's Literature and Society journal.
A Moonji official described the book as a portal into the author's quiet inner world, offering readers a glimpse into a first-person perspective. Despite the anticipation surrounding the release, Han is not expected to give interviews or make public appearances, as she continues to concentrate on her writing.
Han's next novel, currently in progress, is anticipated to complete her winter trilogy, following the acclaimed short stories "While a Single Snowflake Melts" and "Farewell." The novel could be published as early as later this year.