Korean-born German philosopher Han Byung-chul recognized in Spain for advancing humanities, social thought
Korean-born German philosopher and essayist Han Byung-chul has been named the recipient of Spain's 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities, the award committee announced Thursday.
The Princess of Asturias Awards recognize 'the scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanitarian work carried out at an international level by individuals, institutions or groups of individuals or institutions.'
Considered one of the most prominent contemporary philosophers, Han has developed the concepts of the 'burnout society," the 'transparency society' and "shanzhai," a Chinese neologism meaning "fake," through which he traces the mode of deconstruction in Chinese culture, according to the jury for the award, convened by the Princess of Asturias Foundation.
Born in 1959, Han studied German literature and theology at the University of Munich, and philosophy at the University of Freiburg, where he received a Ph.D. in 1994 for his dissertation on Martin Heidegger. He has taught at the University of Basel (Switzerland, 2000-2012) and has lectured in philosophy and cultural studies at the University of Fine Arts in Berlin, after having worked at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design, alongside philosophy and media art professor Peter Sloterdijk.
This year's Communication and Humanities Award saw 47 nominations from 16 countries. It is the first of the eight Princess of Asturias Awards to be announced in the prize's 45th edition. The corresponding awards in the categories of literature, social sciences the arts, sports, concord, technical and scientific research and international cooperation will be announced in the coming weeks.
The awards ceremony will be held in October in Oviedo, Spain, and will be presided over by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, alongside Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia.
Each laureate receives a Joan Miro sculpture, a diploma, an insignia and a cash prize of 50,000 euros ($56,500).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Korea Herald
Blokees Initial Release Minions Mokoo Series: Minions-N-Disguise, Becomes a Banana Day Hotspot
SHANGHAI, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 1, 2025, the 2025 Minions Banana Day was officially launched in Shanghai and Beijing, marking the commencement of a five-month tour across six cities in China. The Chinese building block character toy brand Blokees made a special appearance at the event. At the flagship station in Shanghai, Blokees globally unveiled and simultaneously made available to purchase its latest Minions Mokoo Series: Minions-N-Disguise. This series showcases six iconic Minions characters: King Bob, Soldier Stuart, Golf Tim, Knight Dave, Maid Phil, and Caveman Kevin. Their distinctive physical traits and classic appearances are meticulously replicated. Each figure features detachable outfits, interchangeable accessories, and 11 articulated joints, enabling engaging and realistic interaction. In addition, a hidden cute skeleton design serves as a surprising Easter egg, offering an unexpected delight to dedicated Minions fans. Blokees has been actively promoting user innovation, further cultivating the innovative culture of the BFC (Blokees Figures Creator) brand, and encouraging users to become creators within the BFC ecosystem. In the Minions Banana Day exhibition area, Blokees has specifically established a dedicated display zone for BFC creations. The Blokees booth attracted considerable attention and became a prominent destination for Minions enthusiasts. Attendees participated in photo sessions and group portraits while experiencing the innovative process of construction and transformation. The atmosphere was lively, characterized by laughter and enthusiasm. A dedicated Minions fan commented with excitement, "These Minions building blocks exhibit highly detailed and realistic designs, offering versatility through customizable outfits. The integration of a skeletal framework represents an ingenious and surprising feature, enhancing the product's appeal significantly." The Minions Banana Day will continue until October 26, making stops in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Wuhan, Changsha, and Shenyang. Throughout the tour, Blokees will introduce additional Minions-themed releases and interactive activities. With a portfolio encompassing over 500 patents, Blokees remains at the forefront of innovation. Through its "All Ages, All Price Points, Global Reach" strategy, Blokees is progressively propelling Chinese brick-based character toys onto the global stage.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Korea Herald
'The Pact' taps former first lady's controversies for box office surprise
Political thriller outperforms Hollywood blockbuster despite limited release On the eve of South Korea's presidential election, an unlikely contender has made waves at the box office. "The Pact" — a darkly provocative occult thriller — claimed second place in nationwide ticket sales Monday, an unexpected showing for a low-budget production with a partisan political agenda. According to the Korean Film Council's latest box office data, "The Pact" drew 60,140 viewers on its opening day Monday, narrowly edging out $400 million Hollywood juggernaut "Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning" (59,953 admissions) and trailing only the homegrown comedy "Hi-Five" (75,614 admissions). These numbers were despite the film's relatively limited theatrical release: Just 1,296 screenings on 536 screens nationwide, roughly a third of its competitors. "The Pact" follows an ambitious woman named Ji-hee (Kim Gyu-ri) who climbs the social ladder through plastic surgery, identity fraud and dark rituals to eventually set her sights on controlling the entire country. Whether directly stated or not, audiences swiftly made the connection to Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose impeachment following his shock Dec. 3 martial law declaration led to Tuesday's snap presidential election. Allegations of the couple's involvement with shamanistic practices have dogged them since the earliest days of Yoon's political ascent — from the Chinese character for "king" mysteriously appearing on Yoon's palm during televised debates to their controversial decision to abandon the Blue House in Seoul for a new presidential office about 6 kilometers south. Suspicions swriled throughout Yoon's tenure that spiritual advisers introduced by the first lady were pulling strings behind the scenes in major policy decisions. The film's Korean title, "Shinmyung," is the most glaring reference: It's Kim's given birth name (Myung-shin) backwards. The former first lady legally changed her name to Keon Hee in 2008. The nature of the production also points to the work's political intent. The film was bankrolled by progressive YouTube channel Openmind TV, which has faced multiple defamation lawsuits from public figures, and lost on one occasion. While producers claim their story draws from verified investigative reporting, the clearly fictionalized story frequently veers into unsubstantiated territory, depicting graphic shamanistic rituals taking place in the presidential office — scenarios for which no concrete evidence exists. "The Pact" is not the first purported expose on the former first lady to hit theaters. In December last year, documentary "The First Lady," exploring corruption allegations surrounding Kim, sold 84,888 tickets in its theatrical run — an impressive figure for low-budget independent cinema.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Korea Herald
Ma Dong-seok's 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters' to screen at Shanghai film fest
Supernatural action flick joins international lineup at China's premier cinema event Actor-producer Ma Dong-seok's occult action film "Holy Night: Demon Hunters" has been selected for screening at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival's Midnight Fantasy section, distributor Lotte Entertainment announced Tuesday. One of China's major cinema events, the Shanghai International Film Festival is the only Chinese festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. "The Wailing" (2016), "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" (2018), "The Roundup: Punishment" (2024) and "Exhuma" (2024) are among Korean films that previously screened in the non-competitive Midnight Fantasy section, which mainly showcases international genre cinema. This year's festival runs June 13-22. "Holy Night: Demon Hunters" follows a trio of supernatural investigators combating demonic forces. Ma plays Bau, a fighter with superhuman strength, alongside Girls' Generation member Seohyun as exorcist Sharon, and David Lee as their tech-savvy sidekick Kim Gun. The cast also includes Kyung Soo-jin and Jung Ji-so as sisters swept into the fray. Ma, also known as Don Lee, produced the film, developing the project as part of a broader genre franchise. A prequel web comic, "Holy Night: The Zero," currently runs on Naver Webtoon. The film has drawn 777,323 admissions in South Korea since its April 30 release, falling short of its reported 2 million breakeven threshold. The film is available on local streaming platforms Coupang Play and Wavve in addition to Apple TV.
