by STEVE HAN
The incredible popularity of K-dramas around the world is doing more than putting Korean stars on the global stage. These shows are also driving the demand among foreigners to learn the Korean language.
A prime example of Hangeul‘s globalization is the term “xi,” pronounced “ssi,” which is a term of courtesy added after the end of one’s name, somewhat equivalent to “Mr.,” “Ms.” and “Mrs.” The use of the word “xi” was sparked by China’s airing of the hit K-drama My Love From the Star, which features actress Jun Ji-hyun of My Sassy Girl and actor Kim Soo-hyun of The Thieves. In the episodes aired in China, instead of Jun’s character calling Kim just by his name Do Min-jun in the drama, Jun adds “ssi” after it, reflecting its original Korean pronunciation, instead of adapting it to Chinese, as previously done in Chinese-language versions of K-dramas.
JoongAng Daily reports that this is the first time a Korean word was not translated into Chinese.
“It looks like people are drawn to know more about the Korean language after that word was used in the drama,” said Shen Yingqin, a Chinese-language tutor in South Korea.
“Educating the world with [the Korean language] can work as a bridge to make smoother cultural exchanges between countries, which enables active communications and better understanding of each other,” Kim Se-hun, a professor at Sookmyung Women’s University’s culture and tourism department, said at an annual international Korean-language forum.
Further evidence of the Korean language’s rising popularity is the increasing number of foreigners taking the Topik, also known as the Test of Proficiency in Korean. The exam, conducted in 46 different countries, could be used by foreigners who hope to become naturalized Korean citizens or those who wish to attend Korean universities.
Over 72,000 non-Korean citizens applied for the 34th test this past April, marking the most number of applications since the exam first launched in 1997, according to the South Korean Ministry of Education. Interestingly enough, the ministry received over 80 applications from Cuba, a country with no diplomatic relations with Korea.
