“Dalgona” and “Hyung” Recognized in Oxford English Dictionary: The Cultural Impact of “Squid Game”

On January 7, Yonhap News reported exciting news for language enthusiasts: the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has introduced seven new Korean terms in its December 2024 update. Notable additions include popular words such as “noraebang,” “maknae,” “jjigae,” “tteokbokki,” and “pansori.”

This marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time in three years that Korean-native words have been incorporated into the OED, following a notable update in September 2021.

Image related to Squid Game's impact on the Oxford Dictionary

Over the past 45 years, the Oxford English Dictionary has systematically included approximately 20 Korean words, starting with selections like “kimchi,” “makgeolli,” and “ondol” in 1976. However, in a significant surge during the 2021 update, a remarkable 26 new terms were added, showcasing the growing influence of Korean pop culture on a global scale.

This trend is closely tied to the international success of Korean original television content, particularly hits like “Squid Game” and “Hellbound.” Additionally, the global rise of K-pop has spurred an increasing interest in Korean culture, resulting in more individuals pursuing Korean language studies around the world.

Among the new entries from the 2021 update were various culturally significant terms, including “aegyo,” “banchan,” “bulgogi,” “chimaek,” “daebak,” “dongchimi,” “fighting,” “galbi,” “hallyu, ” “hanbok,” “japchae,” “K-,” “K-drama,” “kimbap,” “Konglish,” “Korean wave,” “manhwa,” “Mukbang,” “Noona,” “Oppa,” “Unni,” “PC Bang,” “Samgyeopsal,” “Skinship,” “Tang Soo Do,” and “Trot.”

One of the intriguing terms recently defined is “dalgona.” The dictionary explains it as a Korean sweet delicacy crafted by mixing baking soda into melted sugar, typically sold by street vendors. It often takes the form of a flat disc adorned with simple shapes like hearts or stars.

An illustrative quote from a 2022 article in the Boston Globe captures its popularity: “Netflix had just released ‘Squid Game,’ the Korean smash hit that made fans flock to dalgona candy.” This highlights not only the surge in killer content like “Squid Game” but also its broader cultural ramifications.

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