Wang Su and Mo Yan

When the winner of this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize, dubbed the Nobel Prize for architecture, was announced in February, architects worldwide were surprised. Presented to an architect who made an important contribution to humanity and the environment, the field`s top award went to little-known Wang Su of China. He created a unique world of architectural pieces by reusing discarded blocks and roof tiles from torn-down traditional buildings and incorporating techniques of traditional landscape painting. China became the second country in Asia to produce a winner of the prize after Japan, which has four winners including four-time recipient Tadao Ando.

The Swedish Academy announced Chinese novelist Mo Yan as the winner of this year’s Nobel Prize for Literature. He is known in Korea as the author of the novel "Red Sorghum," which was made into a film directed by Zhang Yimou. Mo`s novels graphically presented reality in contemporary and modern China through a harmonious combination of orally transmitted literature and realist techniques from the West. He acquired universal values that appeal to the world through a narrative and technique that was most Chinese in nature. Celebrating over its first national to win the honor, China also has overcome its Nobel jinx in literature after Japan, who has two laureates in Yasunari Kawabata and Kenzaburo Oe.

Is it time for China to proudly win global recognition for its cultural capacity as well as for its economic prowess and military might? Nicknamed "the world`s factory" thanks to its cheap labor, the Middle Kingdom is gradually showing its cultural might as well as its economic power. Overcoming the barrier of the era of “Made in China,” which symbolizes low quality and counterfeiting, China is raising its soft power in gaining recognition for its excellent cultural content. Korea cannot help but feel envy and regret. Though it also has many architects and writers, the country has yet to produce a winner of either the Pritzker or Nobel Prize for Literature.

Despite the differences in their fields, both Wang and Mo have one thing in common: they used a deep understanding of and affection for traditional Chinese culture as the foundation for their works. Rather than sloppily mimicking others, they strived to pursue co-existence between tradition and modernity on the basis of their pride in Chinese history and culture. Their efforts eventually resonated with the hearts of people worldwide. When asked what qualities Chinese architects lack the most soon after he was announced this year’s Pritzker winner, architect Wang told The Dong-A Ilbo, “One needs confidence in his or her culture. I suggest going deeper into his or her own culture.” His comments also resonate with the hearts of the Korean people.

Editorial Writer Koh Mi-seok (mskoh119@donga.com)