The “Hangang River ramyeon” instant-cooking machine, which has gained significant popularity overseas. The term refers to packaged instant noodles cooked in on-site ramyeon machines, a trend that began at convenience stores in Han River parks and later gave rise to the name. (Yonhap)
LONDON•SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — Several words rooted in Korean culture, including ramyeon, haenyeo and sunbae, have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary, underscoring the growing imprint of Korean life and language on global English usage as the influence of Korean popular culture continues to spread.
The latest update to the dictionary, published by the Oxford English Dictionary, includes eight Korea-related terms, according to Ji-eun Care, the dictionary’s Korean-language consultant and a professor at the University of Oxford. Newly added entries also include bingsu, jjimjilbang, ajumma, Korean barbecue and officetel.
It marks the second consecutive year that Korean terms have been added to the authoritative reference work. In the previous update, words such as dalgona, maknae and tteokbokki were incorporated, reflecting a steady rise in English-language usage tied to the global popularity of Korean food, television and music.
First published in 1884 and now maintained as a continually updated online platform, the Oxford English Dictionary documents roughly 500,000 words and phrases used in English, complete with definitions, etymologies and real-world examples drawn from literature, academic writing, journalism and social media.
The K-drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” featuring Jeju’s haenyeo divers. (Image courtesy of Netflix)
While Korean-derived terms were once rare, their presence has grown markedly since the early 2000s alongside the expansion of the Korean Wave, known as Hallyu. In 2021 alone, 26 Korean words, including daebak and oppa, were added in a single update.
Professor Care explained that rising English-language references were key to the latest additions. Terms such as ramyeon and haenyeo saw a surge in usage as Korean cuisine and television dramas reached broader international audiences.
She noted that earlier attempts to include haenyeo, the traditional female divers of Jeju Island, had stalled due to a lack of English-language sources, but recent media exposure generated sufficient references to meet the dictionary’s criteria.
The Haenyeo Rescue Team collects marine debris that has been discarded into the sea. (Image courtesy of Jeju Maritime Police Agency)
Relational terms unique to Korean social structure, including sunbae, continue to attract attention as well. Unlike the English word “senior,” sunbae conveys a distinct hierarchical and mentoring relationship, one of several kinship and social terms from Korean that have no direct English equivalent.
The update also includes Korean barbecue as an English phrase, even though specific dishes such as galbi, samgyeopsal and bulgogi were already listed. One of the dictionary’s earliest citations for the term dates to a 1938 article in a Hawaiian newspaper describing a “Korean barbecue dinner.”
Professor Care emphasized that dictionary entries are guided by how English speakers actually use words, including common Romanizations of Korean terms. Once included, she said, entries are never removed, even if usage declines.
“To leave a trace in a global language like English carries lasting significance,” she said, adding that for Korean culture to maintain long-term influence, greater publication and academic research in English will be essential.
A limited-edition Shin Ramyeon featuring the Huntrix character from “K-Pop Demon Hunters” on the product packaging. (Image courtesy of Nongshim)
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
