From Korean wave to Mukbang: 26 Korean words added to Oxford English Dictionary

From listening to BTS to watching K-dramas to K-beauty and fashion trends-- the Korean culture has influenced the lives of many people across the world. Adding to the Korean culture wave, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has now included 26 Korean origin words to its latest edition! "We are all riding the crest of the Korean wave," the OED said in a statement, according to BBC. "The current influx of Korean-origin words into English is due largely to a phenomenon called hallyu or the Korean wave—the increase in international interest in South Korea and its popular culture, especially as represented by the global success of South Korean music, film, television, fashion, and food. This rise in popularity of South Korean culture, which began in the 1990s in East and South-east Asia, had become a worldwide phenomenon by the 2010s, driven largely by the success of various forms of Korean entertainment on social media and video-sharing platforms... Most of the words of Korean origin in the OED are borrowings from the Korean language which refer to various elements of Korean culture," writes Danica Salazar, World English Editor, OED in a blog post.

Checkout the 26 new words added to the OED in September 2021 and what they mean according to OED here:

n. Cuteness or charm, esp. of a sort considered characteristic of Korean popular culture. Also: behaviour regarded as cute, charming, or adorable.

adj. Characterized by ‘aegyo’, cute, charming, adorable.

n. In Korean cookery: a small side dish of vegetables, etc., served along with rice as part of a typical Korean meal.

n. In Korean cookery: a dish of thin slices of beef or pork which are marinated then grilled or stir-fried.

n. In South Korea and Korean-style restaurants: fried chicken served with beer.

n. Something lucrative or desirable, esp. when acquired or found by chance; a windfall, a jackpot.

int. Expressing enthusiastic approval: ‘fantastic!’, ‘amazing!’

adj. As a general term of approval: excellent, fantastic, great.

n. In Korean cuisine: a type of kimchi made with radish and typically also containing napa cabbage, spring onions, green chilli, and pear, traditionally eaten during winter.

int. Esp. in Korea and Korean contexts: expressing encouragement, incitement, or support: ‘Go on!’ ‘Go for it!’

n. In Korean cookery: a dish of beef short ribs, usually marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and sugar, and sometimes cooked on a grill at the table.

n. The increase in international interest in South Korea and its popular culture, esp. as represented by the global success of South Korean music, film, television, fashion, and food. Also: South Korean popular culture and entertainment itself. Frequently as a modifier, as in hallyu craze, hallyu fan, hallyu star, etc.

n. A traditional Korean costume consisting of a long-sleeved jacket or blouse and a long, high-waisted skirt for women or loose-fitting trousers for men, typically worn on formal or ceremonial occasions.

n. A Korean dish consisting of cellophane noodles made from sweet potato starch, stir-fried with vegetables and other ingredients, and typically seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil.

comb. form Forming nouns relating to South Korea and its (popular) culture, as K-beauty, K-culture, K-food, K-style, etc.

n. A television series in the Korean language and produced in South Korea. Also: such series collectively.

n. A Korean dish consisting of cooked rice and other ingredients wrapped in a sheet of seaweed and cut into bite-sized slices.

n. A mixture of Korean and English, esp. an informal hybrid language spoken by Koreans, incorporating elements of Korean and English.

adj. Combining elements of Korean and English; of, relating to, or expressed in Konglish.

n. n. the rise of international interest in South Korea and its popular culture which took place in the late 20th and 21st centuries, esp. as represented by the global success of Korean music, film, television, fashion, and food

n. A Korean genre of cartoons and comic books, often influenced by Japanese manga. Also: a cartoon or comic book in this genre.

n. A video, esp. one that is livestreamed, that features a person eating a large quantity of food and talking to the audience. Also: such videos collectively or as a phenomenon.

n. In Korean-speaking contexts: a boy’s or man’s elder sister. Also as a respectful form of address or term of endearment, and in extended use with reference to an older female friend.

n. 1. In Korean-speaking contexts: a girl’s or woman’s elder brother. Also as a respectful form of address or term of endearment, and in extended use with reference to an older male friend or boyfriend.

2. An attractive South Korean man, esp. a famous or popular actor or singer.

n. In South Korea: an establishment with multiple computer terminals providing access to the internet for a fee, usually for gaming.

n. A Korean dish of thinly sliced pork belly, usually served raw to be cooked by the diner on a tabletop grill.

n. Esp. in Japanese and Korean contexts: touching or close physical contact between parent and child or (esp. in later use) between lovers or friends, used to express affection or strengthen an emotional bond.

n. A Korean martial art using the hands and feet to deliver and block blows, similar to karate.

n. A genre of Korean popular music characterized by repetitive rhythms and emotional lyrics, combining a traditional Korean singing style with influences from Japanese, European, and American popular music. Also (and in earliest use) as a modifier, as in trot music, trot song, etc.

n. In Korean-speaking contexts: a girl’s or woman’s elder sister. Also as a respectful form of address or term of endearment, and in extended use with reference to an older female friend or an admired actress or singer.

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