Korean author Han Kang’s 2007 novel “Vegetarian” has been translated into Spanish and published in Argentina, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea said.

The sensual novel tells the story of a video artist who finds himself obsessed with his sister-in-law after she suddenly stops eating meat. He asks her to be a model for his art project, which requires painting her naked body with flowers.

The book deals with human desire and violence, as well as conflicted dynamics between social norms and artistic and sexual impulse. It was made into a film by Korean director Lim Woo-seong in 2010.

The Spanish edition, published by Argentinean publishing house Bajo la luna, has been reviewed by a number of local media outlets there.

“Kang belongs to a generation of writers that aim to discover secret drives, ambitions, and miseries behind one’s personal destiny, rather than the nationalistic ideology or shared tragedy,” Argentinean newspaper Tiempo Argentino wrote about Han in its review of the novel. “It deals with violence, sanity, cultural limits, and the value of the human body as the last refuge and private space.”

Born in Gwangju in 1960, Han studied Korean literature at Yonsei University. She made her literary debut in 1994 with her short story “The Scarlet Anchor.” Her 2005 short story “Mongolian Mark” won the prestigious Yi Sang Literary Award. Her father is acclaimed novelist Han Seung-won. 

Han is scheduled to attend the Buenos Aires International Book Fair, which kicks off on April 25. She will be giving readings and meeting with local readers, LTI Korea said.

The publishing house Bajo la luna, meanwhile, is planning to publish a 30-volume series of Korean literature. The company, which has been holding a book report contest in Argentina since 2012, will have Han’s “Vegetarian” as the topic to be covered.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)