The 2024 Nobel Prize announcements have ignited global discussions, raising critical questions about the boundaries of science, literature, and gender representation. South Korean female author Han Kang and former Google researcher Geoffrey Hinton emerged as two of the most debated laureates, each sparking unique controversies in their respective fields.

Han Kang’s Nobel Win: Literature or Distortion of History?
Han Kang’s Nobel Prize in Literature was celebrated for her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.”
Well-known for works like The Vegetarian and Human Acts, Han Kang’s writing often delves readers into Korea’s painful historical episodes, including South Korea’s 1980 Gwangju Uprising, in which more than 100 civilians were killed during the pro-democracy protests.
Yet her Novel win has been subject to controversy. Some critics argue that her portrayal of South Korean history distorts facts, especially in her depiction of politically charged events like Gwangju. Despite this, the Nobel Committee praised her “unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead.” South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol added his support, calling her recognition “a great achievement in the history of Korean literature” that has “turned the painful scars of our modern history into great literature.”
In defense of Han Kang, Nobel Committee member Anna-Karin Palm noted that Human Acts highlighted how “the living and the dead are always intertwined and how these kinds of traumas stay in a population for generations.” She called Han’s prose both “tender and brutal,” suggesting its lyrical quality serves as a “counterforce to the brutal noisiness of power.” This recognition, by the way, raises a recurring question about the Nobel Prize in Literature: should it prioritize emotional truth over historical facts?

Geoffrey Hinton’s AI Work: A Physics Nobel or Misplaced Recognition?
The 2024 Nobel Prizes also reignited discussions on gender disparity, particularly in science. Despite gains made by women in academia, many critics highlight that female scientists remain “underrepresented” among Nobel laureates. Commenting on this issue, StatNews reported that “scientists have expressed frustration about the lack of women among this year’s awardees, particularly the omission of two women who contributed to the work honored for the prize in physiology or medicine.”
This inequity highlights persistent structural barriers that hinder women's recognition in significant scientific achievements. Some advocates argue that the Nobel Committee should consider the broader social impacts of its selections and work to increase inclusivity.

Adapting to a Changing World
These controversies underscore the Nobel Prize’s need to evolve with the changing world and societal expectations. As the lines between disciplines become increasingly indistinct and issues of representation gain importance, the Nobel Committee is under its pressure to clarify its criteria and ensure that excellence across various fields is recognized. It remains to be seen whether the 2024 debates will lead to adjustments in the Nobel process, but they highlight the complex task of balancing tradition with the demands of a rapidly advancing world.