The song “How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You’re the One I Love” by the duo AKMU has experienced an unexpected resurgence on the daily charts since October 10, when news of Han’s Nobel win broke. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – The ripple effects of Han Kang’s Nobel Prize in Literature are being felt far beyond literary circles, reaching into the realm of popular music in South Korea.
According to Melon, a major domestic music streaming platform, the song “How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You’re the One I Love” by the duo AKMU has experienced an unexpected resurgence on the daily charts since October 10, when news of Han’s Nobel win broke.
The track, originally released in 2019, jumped five spots to No. 34 on the October 10 chart, and continued its ascent to No. 27 the following day, climbing seven more positions.
This sudden revival is attributed to the circulation of a video in which Han Kang speaks about the profound impact the song had on her while writing her novel “I Do Not Bid Farewell.”
In the video, originally posted on the YouTube channel “Munhakdongne” three years ago, Han recounts a poignant moment: “After finishing the first draft, I got into a taxi, and this song was playing. I thought, ‘I know this famous song,’ but as I listened, the lyrics of the last part struck me in a completely different way, and I found myself crying without realizing it.”
Han specifically mentioned the lyric, “How can I, how can you, it would be a farewell to wait until our love, as deep as the sea, dries up completely.” She reflected, “Isn’t it impossible for the sea to dry up completely? That image suddenly came to mind, and I found myself crying in the taxi like someone with a hidden sorrow.”
Since the video gained traction, Melon’s song description page has been flooded with comments referencing Han and the Nobel Prize. Fans have shared sentiments such as, “I came back to listen to this after watching Han Kang’s video,” and “A Korean song mentioned by a Nobel Literature Prize winner.”
Following the Nobel news, HYNN expressed her congratulations and aspirations on social media. (Image courtesy of New Order Entertainment)
The Nobel announcement has also brought attention to singer Park Hye-won, who performs under the name HYNN (meaning “white” in Korean). It was revealed that Park chose her stage name after being deeply moved by a line from Han’s novel “The White Book”: “I will give you only white things, even if I become tainted.”
Following the Nobel news, HYNN expressed her congratulations and aspirations on social media, writing, “I’ve always thought of Han Kang as a respected author who deeply observes the times and the world, soothing people’s hearts. As a small singer whose stage name was influenced by her work, I will always learn from her pure perspective and sincerity towards her writing as I continue my musical journey.”
The image, provided by BigHit Music and Hybe, shows BTS leader RM. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The literary connections of other celebrities have also resurfaced. A video of RM from the K-pop group BTS discussing Han’s novel “Human Acts” has been circulating on social media.
In the clip, RM shares, “I read it on a plane to Europe and in the hotel. Despite being in a good situation, reading that book was emotionally overwhelming. The vivid writing left a strong impression on me.”
Both RM and his bandmate V congratulated Han on social media, with V noting that he had read “Human Acts” during his military service.
Fans of actress Seo Hyun-jin have also shared her endorsement of Han’s “I Do Not Bid Farewell,” in which she wrote, “It’s so sensitive and delicate that it feels like getting a paper cut. I really loved the book.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
