'Unnie, are you OK?' — Japanese Generation Z is mixing Korean into everyday speech

A hybrid language blending Korean and Japanese — dubbed "Hanbonneo" — is spreading among Generation Z in Japan, as the surging popularity of K-pop, K-dramas and other Korean content reshapes the country's linguistic culture.

The New York Times covered the phenomenon Sunday (local time) in a piece headlined "The Surprising Korean Origins of Japan's Hottest New Slang."

The Times drew a contrast with the suppression of the Korean language during Japan's colonial rule roughly a century ago, describing the growing use of Korean in Japan today as evidence of Korean culture's global appeal.

The success and influence of K-pop, K-dramas and the popular cosmetics industry have allowed Korean to seep deep into the cultural lives of young people in Japan, analysts say.

Sasa Hiroko, a professor in the Japanese language department at Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said the trend became noticeably more pronounced "from 2018, when BTS released their album 'Love Yourself: Tear' and BLACKPINK performed in Tokyo and Osaka."

As BTS, BLACKPINK and other acts gained worldwide popularity, young Japanese began embracing Korean naturally and without resistance, Sasa said.

Takamatsu Moeka, a university student and K-pop fan living in Tokyo, told the Times that Korean words such as "jinjja" (really) and "mianhae" (sorry) regularly appear in everyday conversation.

"I don't know anything about Korea, but it's trending on social media, so I find myself saying 'gwaenchana' (it's OK) without even thinking about it," Takamatsu said.

Experts point to the phonological similarities between Korean and Japanese, as well as the two countries' geographic proximity, as factors that lower the linguistic barrier.

The COVID-19 pandemic also played a significant role, analysts say, as people spent more time at home and had greater exposure to Korean content. Terms of address such as "hyeong" (older brother) and "unnie" (older sister) have also been adopted wholesale, as Japanese has no direct equivalents.

Choi Eun-kyeong, a professor in the Korean language department at Kansai University in Japan, said Korean "has become a language that anyone can use easily, regardless of whether they have Korean heritage," adding that using Korean is "a way of expressing affection for K-pop and Korean culture."