Are you still celebrating the exceptional Nobel Prize awards of Korean writer Han Kang? If you’ve finished reading all her impressive works, maybe it’s time to move forward and analyze its movie adaptations. Yes! As a matter of fact, two books by Nobel Prize winner Han Kang have long been adapted into Korean movies that are not only unexpected but also triggering another perception of her genius works. Join us in a complete guide to intriguing Korean movies based on Han Kang books and where to watch masterpieces.
Han Kang’s Nobel Prize Win Creates More Interest in Movie Adaptations
That one evening phone call accepted by South Korean author Han Kang seemed to change not only her life but also the entire nation.
After she became the first Korean writer to receive such a magnificent Nobel Prize award in Literature, Han Kang has triggered a new wave of interest in her books from the country’s entertainment industry. Reports mentioned that some of the country’s renowned production companies are interested in adapting one of Han Kang’s books, “Human Acts,” into a Korean film.
Unfortunately, this plan must be put to a halt for now due to various challenges. After all, Han Kang is famous for creating extremely profound masterpieces full of conflicting emotions that are incredibly challenging to put into actual visual imagery.
Still, did you know that two books by Korean Nobel Prize winner Han Kang have actually been adapted into movies?
As we wait for plans for the “Human Acts” adaptation to eventually be put into action, let us guide you through the existing Korean movies based on books by Nobel Prize winner Han Kang.
Korean Movies Based on Books by Han Kang – Where to Watch?
So, here are the two Korean movies based on books by Han Kang and where to watch them.
Vegetarian (2010)
- Korean Title: 채식주의자 (Chaesikjuuija)
- Director: Lim Woo Sung
- Cast: Chae Min Seo, Tae In Ho, Kim Yeo Jin.
- Genre: Psychological, Drama (18+)
- Run time: 1 hour, 53 minutes.
- Release date: Feb 18, 2010.
- Watch on: Amazon Prime
“Vegetarian” has not only become one of the most prominent books but also among brilliant movies by Nobel Prize winner Han Kang.
Adapted from her book with the same name, this movie tells the story of the main character, Yeong Hye (played by Chae Min Seo), who decides to become a vegetarian. This decision then leads her to intense family conflicts that will ignite powerful scenes and emotions.
This Korean movie previously premiered at Busan International Film Festival in 2009. Then, due to its impressive portrayal, it received an invitation to compete in the World Cinema Narrative Competition at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
Unfortunately, the movie did not receive commercial success and was only sold 3,536 tickets in South Korean theaters.
Scars (2011)
- Korean Title: 흉터 (Hyungteo)
- Director: Lim Woo Sung
- Cast: Jeong Hee Tae, Park So Yeon.
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 1 hour and 5 minutes.
- Release date: Oct 13, 2011.
- Watch on: Amazon Prime.
Secondly, we also have “Scars” among the Korean movies adapted from books by Nobel Prize winner Han Kang.
Adapted from one of Han Kang’s books, “Baby Buddha,” the movie depicts the life of a children’s book illustrator, Sun Hee, a woman who lived her whole life with an incredibly strict upbringing, which then leaves her emotionally numb.
Sun Hee then met her husband, Sang Hyup. He is a professional news anchor who spends all his life fixated on perfectionism. What happens when these two emotionally-scarred individuals get married?
While Han Kang’s books have received incredible honors in the world of literature, their adapted movies haven’t received enough responses. Worse than the “Vegetarian” movie, “Scars” only sold 256 tickets during its theatrical run in South Korea. While it did receive an invitation to the New Directors section of the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain in 2011, the movie did not become a success.
Many believe that it all lies in the unbelievable challenge of manifesting Han Kang’s exceptional wordings into work of visual works. It becomes the main reason why Han Kang’s books, despite its global fame and reputation, failed to perform well as movies.
"Scars" Korean movie trailer based on Han Kang's book "Baby Buddha"
— KDrama Observer 2005 (@KDramaObserver) October 26, 2024
I just can't find this movie anywhere, though. pic.twitter.com/3rL8jVYtu1
Finally, you can actually watch all these Korean movies by Han Kang books on Amazon Prime. However, you can only find these movies in selected regions and countries. Hence, you would need the assistance of a VPN or other network-related services to watch them.
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