Lee Rang wins Japan's Nagai Kafu Literary Prize for 'History of Crazy Women of Mothers and Daughters'

South Korean author and singer-songwriter Lee Rang has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Nagai Kafu Literary Prize in Japan for their work 'History of Crazy Women of Mothers and Daughters.' This marks a significant achievement as Lee Rang is the first South Korean national to receive this esteemed literary honor.

The book, originally published in Japan in 2025 under the title 'If You Raise Your Voice, Call Out, and Speak,' was translated with the participation of Japanese literary translator Mariko Saito. Upon its release, acclaimed author Hitomi Kanehara, a recipient of the Akutagawa Prize and a judge for the Nagai Kafu prize, praised the book, stating, "When I want to die, when I cannot forgive, when I want to be saved, when I cannot see the person I love, I will keep this book open until I die."

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When I want to die, when I cannot forgive, when I want to be saved, when I cannot see the person I love, I will keep this book open until I die.

'History of Crazy Women of Mothers and Daughters' delves into the author's personal experiences, confronting the sudden death of their elder sister, Lee Seul (1983-2021). The book candidly portrays the violence and suffering stemming from patriarchal family systems, as well as the generational pain and madness experienced by mothers and daughters. Lee Rang describes their sister's death not as a suicide but as a "consumption death" (sojin-sa), attributing it to the exhaustion of life energy under familial and societal pressures.

Lee Rang, who previously won multiple Korean Popular Music Awards for their music, also has a background in film directing. The Nagai Kafu Literary Prize, established in 2025, recognizes significant literary works across various genres, including poetry, fiction, essays, and criticism. Lee Rang is the second recipient of the award, following Tokyo University professor Jun Tanaka, who won for his work on architect Arata Isozaki. Lee Rang and their publisher are expected to attend the award ceremony in Japan in November.

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Please read this writing as if your life depends on it.