The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has incorporated seven new Korean terms into its latest December update, highlighting the growing influence of Korean culture globally. This marks the first such addition since September 2021.
The newly listed words include "dalgona," a popular confectionary, and "maknae," referring to the youngest member of a group. Other additions encompass "noraebang" (karaoke rooms), "hyung" (elder brother), "jjigae" (broth-based stew), "tteokbokki" (spicy rice cakes), and "pansori" (traditional Korean narrative music).
"Dalgona," famously featured in the Netflix series Squid Game, is defined as a Korean confection made by adding baking soda to melted sugar. The show showcased its use in a game of skill. Similarly, "maknae" is now officially recognized as the youngest member of a family or group.
These additions reflect a surge in interest and engagement with Korean culture, particularly within Western media. The OED's Korean language consultant noted the frequent use and discussion of these words in English-speaking countries.
Further food-related terms are anticipated, with "haenyeo" (female divers), "ahjumma" (middle-aged woman), and "bingsu" (shaved ice dessert) under consideration for future updates. The dictionary's annual updates continue to incorporate contemporary Korean terminology.
The latest batch follows a previous update in 2021, including words like "hallyu" (Korean Wave), reflecting the broader impact of South Korean pop culture.
