"Ah, Shit" Abroad Can Cause Trouble... Foreigners Learning Korean Slang

K-Drama Popularity Sparks Trend of Swearing
Foreigners Interested in Korean Slang
Learning from Actors to Better Understand Dramas

With the global success of K-dramas like "The Glory" and "Squid Game," Korean "slang" has also gained fame. This is because foreigners have become familiar with frequently repeated swear words and catchphrases in domestic video content.

On the 6th (local time), US-based Bloomberg News focused on the phenomenon of the "Korean slang trend" in the United States. According to the media, makeup artist Sharnet Thompson, who lives in Los Angeles (LA), California, has recently become familiar with Korean slang. Although she knows little Korean, she has reportedly learned the pronunciation by watching Korean dramas and movies over the past decade.

Thompson sometimes utters the Korean expression "Aish" when she bumps her elbow or toe. She told Bloomberg, "It corresponds to expressions like 'Oh no' or 'Damn it' in English."

Netflix drama 'The Glory'
[Image source=Netflix]

As in Thompson's case, the number of foreigners who are unfamiliar with Korean but familiar with certain slang words is increasing. These individuals usually learn swear words frequently mentioned by actors while watching Korean dramas and movies.

For foreigners interested in Korean swear words, a "slang dictionary" has even been created. Last year, a foreign blogger related to travel posted an article summarizing "11 swear words frequently appearing in Korean dramas," attracting attention from overseas netizens. The blogger explained, "Korean dramas include not only the lives of modern Koreans but also the swear words they use," adding, "These are not words to be used in public places, but please use them for educational purposes."

A foreign YouTuber who compiled frequently appearing slang and swear words in Korean video content attracted the attention of English-speaking netizens. [Image source=Tripzilla]

English-speaking viewers also learn swear words to better understand actors' emotional performances. One overseas netizen said, "The Korean slang 'Jugeullae' can be translated into English as 'Do you want to die?' However, in Korea, it is usually a light joke thrown among close friends, so the nuance is different."

As the number of foreigners who understand Korean swear words increases, there have been complaints about feeling uncomfortable using Korean while living abroad. The world's largest English-language Hallyu media outlet, Allkpop, recently introduced a related experience of a Korean YouTuber. This YouTuber said that when traveling abroad, they used to swear in Korean when upset, but recently, as more people understand the swear words, they have become more cautious.

Other netizens responded, "I had a similar experience working at a foreign company. Now everyone understands Korean swear words, so I have to swear while wearing a mask," and "People seem to learn swear words first when learning a foreign language."

According to Netflix, The Glory was the most viewed drama for two consecutive weeks last month. It ranked among the top 10 Netflix series in more than 90 countries, including Argentina, France, India, and South Africa.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.