The Oxford English Dictionary levels up with new words from time to time, and this time, they have added seven new Korean words to improve the international vocabulary.

It’s incredible to see how well Korean culture has gotten, especially with this kind of recognition. This is because they keep it going with their K-pop and K-dramas, and now their words are officially used all over the world.

From dalgona to pansori, these words aim to connect people and build bonds, internationally. So, here’s a comprehensive review of each word.

1. Dalgona

It’s one word you won’t miss if you watched the Netflix series Squid Game. It was used during the scene where contestants were asked to carefully cut out shapes from a delicate honeycomb-like candy, without breaking a piece of it.

That candy right there is the dalgona. It’s a classic Korean street snack that is made by melting sugar and adding baking soda to it. It became popular right after the movie even though it has been a Korean street snack for decades. It became a global sensation after millions of people tried the “dalgona challenge” at home.

2. Hyung

Hyung is a common term for K-drama lovers. At least you’ll hear when watching a few scenes or hear them in K-pop. The word hyung is used by a younger male to address an older brother or a close older male friend. But even if you’re calling an older male “hyung”, it isn’t just about their age. You’re only showing them respect and camaraderie.

In Korean culture, relationships are built in hierarchy, and terms like hyung reflect the deep-rooted tradition of that structure. For example, this term was often used by the younger BTS members, especially when they called Suga, J-Hope, RM, and others “hyung”.

3. Maknae

The term “maknae” is a Korean word that refers to the most youthful person in a family or group. In K-pop culture, like BTS, it’s often used to affectionately refer to the youngest member of a group. In this case, the South Korean Boy Band also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan, called their youngest group member Jungkook “talented maknae of BTS”.

Maknae can also be used among a group of friends, especially if the youngest person is incredibly talented. This term has become so famous all over the world such that many global K-pop fans are now using it when communicating in English.

4. Noraebang

The Oxford English Dictionary has also added the word Noraebang for international use. It’s a Korean version of private karaoke rooms, mostly found in Seoul. Seoul is known for its outstanding nightlife packed with many forms of entertainment, including private karaoke rooms popularly referred to as shirt rooms.

Gangnam public karaoke offers an intimate fun setting for friends or individuals to relax and enjoy music, good food, drinks, and other activities. It’s quite different from the Western-style karaoke bars you know.

5. Jjigae

This word is used to describe Korea’s food. Jjigae; a steaming bowl of stew, made with various kinds of ingredients like seafood, pork, kimchi, or tofu, now has an international usage. Here is more about Jjigae:

• Sundubu jjigae: This soft tofu stew is loved by both the locals and visitors. It is best paired with a flavorful and spicy broth for a delicious satisfaction. It’s also served bubbling hot, which adds to the experience.
• Kimchi jjigae: This is a staple in Korean cuisine. It has a spicy kick that gives a bold taste. It’s also a comfort food for many Koreans, and the taste intensifies the longer it stays.
• Doenjang jjigae: It’s a rich, savory flavor of fermented soybean paste. This can be prepared with a variety of ingredients like tofu, vegetables, and sometimes seafood or meat.

6. Tteokbokki

It’s interesting how these new additions to the Oxford dictionary are mostly food derivatives. Another word is Tteokbokki, an iconic Korean sweet/spicy street food that is made from chewy rice cakes in a red sauce.

Originally a royal dish, Tteokbokki has become a favorite among international fans and street food lovers. Whether you like your dish fiery hot or mild, this dish is worth relishing.

7. Pansori

Pansori is another Korean vocabulary word that found its way into the English dictionary. It is derived from a traditional form of Korean musical storytelling. Pansori is a combination of singing, drama, and drums to create a captivating performance. It has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. This is so because it showcases the Korean tradition.

Conclusion

The Korean words might be newly added to the Oxford English Dictionary, but they are more than just a language upgrade. It’s a testament to the impactful global growth of Korea. The words are derived from food, music, everyday slang, and more, making them a part of the international vocabulary. This might be just the tip of the iceberg as we can expect more words from Korean culture to enter International usage, as people embrace it.

Market speculation is a tricky thing to manage. It seems every other day someone has a hot new tip that says the market is going this way or that. People panic sell or buy up as much as they can be based on the smallest shred of information.

So we are always hesitant to present any of these market rumors to our readers. But sometimes the rumors we hear are a lot less specific and more general. And sometimes these rumors are worth talking about purely from a speculative angle. So today we want to look at a popular rumor we have heard time and time again. That 2021 is going to see a market boom, unlike anything we have seen in a long time. We are going to break down a few key elements of these rumors to help you understand, in simple terms, why economists predict this.

The Election

The biggest factor we can see in these estimates is the outcome of the 2020 election. The USA has been through a troubling time. With the world economies facing an unprecedented time this past year, and with political tensions at an all-time high, many see the results of this election as a sign that America can begin healing.

This has nothing to do with political bias. It is not unheard of for the market to strengthen when a new president is sworn in. Countries anticipate new trade deals. Different sectors receive new funding. As everything changes, people tend to look at it positively and the market reflects that.

Normally this change is minor. Nothing too crazy. But 2020 may be one of the most nail-biting elections in America’s history. The impact of this election is going to send waves through the economy for some time yet. This could be one of the main reasons they are predicting a market boom.

Education

Studies have shown that educational quality in relation to the world of business has been slowly increasing over the past few decades. But in the last few years, we have seen a surge in people taking their destiny into their own hands and starting up a small business or classifying themselves as entrepreneurs.

This increase in business knowledge means there are more and more companies being created. More supply on the market. And more money being circulated at the local and national level. As people are more clued up in the business world, we will see the emergence of more companies offering leads to businesses. The best at generating leads in multiple industries, Exclusive Leads Agency spoke to us about this phenomenon. They said it is not unheard of to see a market boom as people tend to move towards independent work.

Brexit

Brexit was the referendum held in Great Britain in 2016 where they decided they would leave the European Union. And while this is going to have a huge impact on the United Kingdom itself, it also has massive repercussions for the rest of the world.

Particularly the global marketplace. England is a powerful and rich nation. One of the biggest players on the world stage. But until now their trading regulations and laws have been slightly controlled by the EU. As part of the agreement of any joining nation. It also meant that the United Kingdom had to prioritize trading with other EU nations before nations not included.

America and the UK have always had a special relationship. And this has always been reflected in their trade agreements and willingness to share their information. But now the UK has finally left the EU, the market predicts there will be an increase in trade between the USA and the UK. While we are skeptical about this, due to the shifting political scene both here and over there, there is no doubt that Brexit is playing a significant factor in these rumors.

Bouncing Back

We have been in a recession for some years now. And it is easy to view a recession as this big scary, country dooming thing. But the truth is recessions are an often natural occurrence in any economy. Due to factors outside our control, such as a pandemic. And whenever there is a recession, there are always rumors circulating that the next year will see them bounce back.

It is very rare for a recession to never end. And even rarer for it to doom a country. In America, we often see a bounce back sooner or later. So that could be where these rumors are coming from. This idea that we are about to head into the bounce back. Taking into account all the other factors we have mentioned so far, it is no surprise that many people seem to think this.