The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), published by Oxford University every three months, has reportedly included seven new Korean words in its latest edition. Among these new entries is “dalgona,” which gained popularity through the Netflix drama “Squid Game.” The updated OED website now features words such as “noraebang” (karaoke), “maknae” (the youngest member in a group), “jjigae” (stew), “tteokbokki” (spicy rice cakes), “pansori” (a genre of Korean musical storytelling), and “dalgona” (a sugar candy).
In 2021, the growing influence of K-dramas and the Korean Wave (Hallyu) led to the inclusion of 26 Korean words in the dictionary. However, it took three more years for this latest update to occur.
The OED is a prestigious dictionary, first published in 1884, and now accessible in a digital format that is updated regularly. The dictionary includes over 500,000 words and phrases, detailing their meanings, origins, and usage in various texts, such as academic papers, news articles, and social media.
The addition of “dalgona” is largely attributed to the influence of Korean dramas like “Squid Game.” The dictionary describes dalgona as a Korean candy made from melted sugar and baking soda, often sold by street vendors in flat shapes with simple designs cut out, such as hearts or stars. An example sentence from the Boston Globe in October 2022 highlights the word, noting how Netflix’s hit “Squid Game” attracted fans with its features, including the dalgona candy.
Jieun Kiaer, a Korean consultant for the OED and a professor at the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Oriental Studies, stated that words frequently mentioned or used in English-speaking contexts, with evidence in text form, are included in the dictionary. She also predicted a continual increase in the inclusion of Korean-related words in the future.