Jungkook impact: Report references BTS member Jungkook as Oxford English Dictionary adds 'maknae' in new update

The Oxford English Dictionary recently added the term 'maknae' along with six other Korean words in its new word update in December 2024, and fans now have BTS member Jungkook to credit. Why, one may wonder? For those who may not be aware, 'maknae' is referred to as the youngest member of a family or a group. Among BTS members, Jungkook, 27, is the youngest; hence, he is called the 'maknae' of the group.

7 new Korean words added to the Oxford English Dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) website has expanded its linguistic repertoire with the addition of seven new Korean words. In a December 2024 update, OED added 'dalgona' and 'maknae,' as well as 'noraebang,' 'hyung,' 'jjigae,' 'tteokbokki,' and 'pansori.'

The fresh update follows a three-year gap since 26 Korean words were earlier added to the EOD in September 2021. The update came shortly after the release of Squid Game.

Report references BTS member for addition of 'maknae' in OED

South Korean broadcast network Arirang News in its The Daily Report recently shared a segment about the new additions of the Korean words in OED and referenced BTS star Jungkook 'maknae.'

MAKNAE is now an english word. #Jungkook impact #BTSPavedTheWay https://t.co/hStQWLgsaM

¡ª Asian Entertainment And Culture (@AsianEAC) January 12, 2025

While every youngest member in a K-pop group is referred to as the maknae, the Seven hitmaker is known for popularising the term, with fans worldwide adorably taking a page out of BTS members' book and calling him 'golden maknae.'

BTS also widely uses the term 'maknae line' to refer to three of the youngest members¡ªJimin, V, and Jungkook¡ªin the group. Meanwhile, the hyung line, meaning the oldest members, consists of RM, Jin, Suga, and J-Hope.

The ultimate maknae; Fans rave about BTS' Jungkook

Fans have been doting on Jungkook, hailing his global impact after noticing his mention on the national television. They have now flooded X with high praise for the K-pop idol, highlighting the K-pop idol's contribution in promoting Korean culture across the globe.

One user said, "Because of Jungkook, the golden maknae, the Oxford English Dictionary added ¡°maknae.¡± His global influence as the ultimate maknae has made the word a worldwide phenomenon."

Another user raved about the BTS star, writing, "WDYM OXFORD ENGLISH DECIDED TO MAKE "maknae" AS AN ACTUAL WORD AFTER BEING INFLUENCED BY JUNGKOOK."

news report! because of jungkook, the golden maknae, the Oxford English Dictionary added ¡°maknae.¡± his global influence as the ultimate maknae has made the word a worldwide phenomenon ? pic.twitter.com/0oMqdZxMHQ

¡ª ? (@kookvocalist) January 12, 2025

WDYM OXFORD ENGLISH DECIDED TO MAKE "maknae" AS AN ACTUAL WORD AFTER BEING INFLUENCED BY JUNGKOOK ? pic.twitter.com/9ZLdtAGnCO

¡ª luna? (slow) (@tetebbi) January 12, 2025

A fan commented, "That's incredible! Imagine being the influence for a new word in the Oxford English Dictionary. He's just amazing." "This again proves and enunciates the meaning of paved the way. "Because, one, they didn't "create" that concept and context, but it is/was BTS that popularized and introduced it," another highlighted.

Jungkook scripts Spotify history!

In other updates, BTS member Jungkook recently became the one and only K-pop artist to have a song reach 2 billion streams on Spotify after Dynamite crossed 2 billion streams on the digital music streaming app. The K-pop star had earlier scripted history when his solo track Seven off his debut album Golden hit 2 billion streams on Spotify.

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