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8 Korean Words Have Been Officially Added to the English Dictionary
In this year’s update, the Oxford English Dictionary has officially added eight new Korean words.
The new entries include everyday terms tied to food, social life, and living spaces, showing how the Korean language has moved from a niche interest to mainstream English usage worldwide.
Here are the newly added Korean words in the OED, along with their definitions:
Ramyeon (noun): Chinese-style wheat-flour noodles, dehydrated and sold pre-packaged as a convenience food to be reconstituted with hot water and mixed with freeze-dried vegetables and powdered seasonings.
- Haenyeo (noun): a female free-diver who harvests seafood as a means of livelihood.
- Sunbae (noun): a member of a group or organization considered senior on account of age or experience, who can give guidance or assistance to a junior member. Also as a respectful title or form of address.
Ajumma (noun): a middle-aged or older woman, esp. one who is married. Also used as a form of address.
- Bingsu (noun): A Korean dessert of shaved ice with various sweet toppings such as condensed milk, red beans, chopped fruit, fruit syrup, etc.
- Jjimjilbang (noun): a bathhouse providing facilities for cleansing or relaxing such as hot and cold baths, traditional Korean kiln saunas, showers, and massage tables, as well as other amenities such as lounges, snack bars, exercise rooms, and sleeping areas with bunk beds or mats.
- Officetel (noun): a building with commercial as well as residential units. Also: a flat in such a building, typically a furnished studio apartment.
- Korean barbecue (noun): A Korean dish of thinly sliced, marinated meat such as chicken, pork, or beef, usually served raw to be cooked by the diner on a tabletop grill.
The additions mark another year of Korean vocabulary entering the OED, a trend driven by the Korean Wave.
Scholars note once a word is included, it remains permanently, underscoring how Korean language and culture are securing a lasting place in global English and modern communication.
News
35-Year-Old Takato Ishida Goes Viral as Japan’s Youngest Governor
On January 25, Takato Ishida, 35, won the Fukui gubernatorial election, becoming the youngest incumbent prefectural governor in Japan.
He collected 134,620 votes, narrowly beating former Echizen city mayor Kenichi Yamada, who received 130,290 votes, in one of Japan’s most conservative prefectures.
Ishida holds two bachelor’s degrees along with a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.
He joined Japan’s Foreign Ministry in 2015 and later served as deputy consul at the Japanese Consulate-General in Melbourne before resigning in December 2025 to run for office.
During his campaign, Ishida pledged to expand child-rearing support and actively used social media to reach voters.
He also took a firm stance on immigration, expressing strong opposition to what he described as ‘disorderly immigration’ and calling for stricter controls on mass migration into Japan.
But his record and policy stance are not what have the internet buzzing. It is his looks, apparently.
Political opponents accused voters of populism, arguing his win was driven more by his wholesome image than actual policy. Netizens, however, did not seem too bothered by that argument.
Despite this, supporters see Ishida as a symbol of generational change and a sign of growing voter frustration with political elites.
At 35, he has become proof that Japan’s political landscape is shifting and that a new generation is ready to lead.
News
‘Golden’ Makes History After Becoming First K-Pop Song to Win a GRAMMY
‘Golden’ from the hit animated film ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ just won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
The win cements its place in music history as the first K-pop song ever to earn a Grammy.
Performed by EJAE with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the song previously made chart impact by leading the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks.
Globally, it also topped the Billboard Global 200, remaining at number one for 20 weeks across the world.
‘Golden’ stood out among strong competitors, including songs from ‘TRON: Ares,’ ‘Sinners,’ and Elton John’s ‘Never Too Late.’
Beyond the win, the song also earned additional nominations for Song of the Year, Best Pop/Duo Performance, and Best Remixed Recording.
With its Grammy win secured, attention now shifts to the Academy Awards, where ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ competes in two major categories.
Fans and creators are hopeful that ‘Golden’ will continue its remarkable run, proving the song still has more milestones waiting ahead.
News
Jackie Chan Goes Viral After Recording a Farewell Song to Be Released After His Passing
71-year-old Jackie Chan has moved fans worldwide after revealing he has already recorded a personal farewell song meant to be released on the day he passes away.
This emotional project serves as his last goodbye, ensuring his voice remains even when he is gone.
The announcement was shared last December 28 during the Beijing premiere of his latest drama, ‘Unexpected Family.’
Chan said the idea came after losing close friends and colleagues in recent years, which led him to reflect on aging, life’s fragility and the importance of expressing one’s feelings while there is still time.
Despite the audience’s curiosity, he refused to sing a single note. He explained that performing it now would only make people cry.
Instead, the track remains locked away, a private treasure waiting to offer comfort to the world on the day he finally rests.
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