Han Song, a science fiction author, sits in an old steel mill transformed into a leisure park in Beijing, where he ponders the bizarre realities of modernization. His work has gained notoriety for almost prophetic foresight, like his early 2000s novel predicting the collapse of the World Trade Center, and another in 2016 that envisioned a world turned into a vast hospital, surprisingly mirroring China's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At 59, Mr. Han expresses his astonishment that the dystopian scenarios he conjured in fiction came to life sooner than anticipated. He reflects on his novel "Hospital," acknowledging how the metaphorical became stark reality in the recent past, declaring, "This is an example of reality being more science fiction than science fiction."
For over 40 years, Han has navigated the tensions between reality and fiction. During the day, he serves as a journalist within China's state news agency, chronicling the nation's remarkable advancements, while at night he delves into creative writing, grappling with its unsettling implications. Many of his narratives are marked by darkness and grotesquery, featuring themes that analyze the contrast between China and the West. In one standout short story titled "The Passengers and the Creator", he depicts the Chinese populace venerating a mysterious entity known as Boeing.
His works often stage hauntingly familiar scenes set against everyday backdrops, like subway trains, decomposing into disturbing spectacles of cannibalism and chaotic gatherings. Using his unique blend of journalism and fiction, Han Song offers a lens through which to understand the rapidly-evolving and often jarring landscape of modern China. Through his stories, he not only questions the trajectory of his nation but also reflects on the existential implications of globalization and modernization at large.
At 59, Mr. Han expresses his astonishment that the dystopian scenarios he conjured in fiction came to life sooner than anticipated. He reflects on his novel "Hospital," acknowledging how the metaphorical became stark reality in the recent past, declaring, "This is an example of reality being more science fiction than science fiction."
For over 40 years, Han has navigated the tensions between reality and fiction. During the day, he serves as a journalist within China's state news agency, chronicling the nation's remarkable advancements, while at night he delves into creative writing, grappling with its unsettling implications. Many of his narratives are marked by darkness and grotesquery, featuring themes that analyze the contrast between China and the West. In one standout short story titled "The Passengers and the Creator", he depicts the Chinese populace venerating a mysterious entity known as Boeing.
His works often stage hauntingly familiar scenes set against everyday backdrops, like subway trains, decomposing into disturbing spectacles of cannibalism and chaotic gatherings. Using his unique blend of journalism and fiction, Han Song offers a lens through which to understand the rapidly-evolving and often jarring landscape of modern China. Through his stories, he not only questions the trajectory of his nation but also reflects on the existential implications of globalization and modernization at large.
