K-Culture again is making the mark on global scene – this time with addition of Korean words into Oxford English Dictionary.
The December 2024 update of Oxford English Dictionary saw inclusion of seven new Korean words showcasing the impact Korean culture is making on the English speaking countries and rest of the world.
This isn’t the first time Korean words have entered the dictionary. In 2021, OED added 26 Korean terms, including K-drama, Hallyu, mukbang, and daebak.
The Oxford English Dictionary, first published in 1884, updates its online version every three months to reflect how English evolves with cultural influences.
New Korean Words in Oxford English Dictionary
The latest update to OED includes the following Korean words – “dalgona,” “hyung,” “noraebang,” “maknae,” “jjigae,” “tteokbokki” and “pansori.”
K-Culture – A Global Phenomenon
Its inclusion of Korean words in OED highlights the growing influence of K-culture. And what is K-culture but a huge umbrella that encompasses the global popularity of Korean entertainment, fashion, food, and language.
Over the past decade, Korea’s cultural exports have gained unprecedented traction worldwide. This is mainly driven by the success of K-dramas, K-pop, K-beauty, and K-cinema. The adoption of Korean words into the Oxford English Dictionary not only acknowledges the global fascination with Korean culture but also signals the extent to which Korean lifestyle and language have become embedded in everyday conversations across different countries. This just highlights how K-culture’s transformation from a regional phenomenon into a global cultural powerhouse is influencing everything from media to fashion, cuisine, and now, even the English language.
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