In this episode, we are joined by Dr Claire Gullander-Drolet, Assistant Professor in the Department of English at City University of Hong Kong. Dr Gullander-Drolet’s research focuses on literary translation and memory, and she is currently leading a Hong Kong Research Grants Committee-funded project on feminist translation studies approaches to world literatures in English.

We discuss the Swedish Academy’s recognition of Han Kang, the 2024 Nobel Prize laureate in Literature, and explore the poetic and historical dimensions of her work. Dr Gullander-Drolet sheds light on the controversies surrounding the English translation of The Vegetarian, offering insights into the cultural concept of “han” and the challenges it poses for Western audiences. Lastly, we delve into the translator’s role as both mediator and co-creator, and how The Vegetarian reflects the broader dynamics of world literature and South Korea’s efforts to promote its literary heritage globally.