By Lee Kyoung Mi
Photos = Lee Jun Young

Han Kang, the nation's first winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, has spurred people all over the world to seek her works, which transcend the language barrier.

"Pilgrimages" to Korea have started to look for traces of the writer, a journey that Korea.net also joined.

Yu Hana and Ethan Hoffman on the afternoon of Oct. 14 take a photo in front of the business Bookstore Today run by Nobel laureate Han Kang in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.

On Oct. 14 at 2 p.m., the Monday after the announcement of Han's historic honor, the bookstore Bookstore Today in a narrow alley of the Tongeui-dong neighborhood in Seoul's Jongno-gu District saw a steady stream of visitors, a rarity for a weekday.

This small independent bookstore run by Han had a sign at the entrance reading, "The bookstore is temporarily closed. We will announce when we will reopen later. Thank you."

Through Oct. 13, bouquets and congratulatory notes were piled in front of the store. But the following day saw the removal of all of them, as if Han wanted fans to congratulate her in their hearts.

In front of Bookstore Today, some 110 visitors came for an hour like a family with children taking photos with the sign clearly visible; an elderly man who stood there for a long time looking into the windows; and foreign nationals seeking to congratulate and acknowledge Han's historic honor, with some wearing Hanbok (traditional clothing).

Yu Hana, who brought Han's novel "Human Acts" to the store, said, "I'm so proud that (Han) is the first Asian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and I hope this is an opportunity for good Korean female writers to get more widely known."

"I hope that this honor becomes the catalyst for good Korean literature to meet good translators and spread globally."

Ethan Hoffman from the U.S., a longtime fan of Han's works who has read all of her books translated into English, added, "Korean history is quite different (from that of the U.S.), but I came to learn more about and grew interested in Korean history through Han's books."

A visitor on Oct. 14 browses through Han Kang's novel "Human Acts" at a section marking the writer's historic Nobel Prize in Literature at Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. Through her publisher, Han issued a short statement saying, "I was surprised by the huge wave of warm congratulatory messages and wishes that came in one day," adding she was "deeply grateful."

A large section in the middle of Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun in Seoul's Jongno-gu District celebrated Han's historic honor, with her books selling out over the weekend. Upon hearing that her books had been partially restocked during the weekend, many visitors flocked to Kyobo, keeping staff busy stocking her works on shelves.

Han's novels restocked that day were "Human Acts" and "I Do Not Bid Farewell."

"So many people looked for Han's books that we shortened the book stocking process," a Kyobo source said. "In the case of 'The Vegetarian,' it takes more time to put out because it's hardcover. You must quickly order the book now to get it."

Han has kept a low profile since news of her award broke out, other than releasing a statement on the honor. Unconfirmed reports say she will attend the Nobel ceremony on Oct. 17, but the world awaits on when she will appear in public again.

km137426@korea.kr