Driven by the worldwide triumph of K-pop and K-dramas, the Korean language is now one of the most widely studied globally, a phenomenon fueled by the explosive popularity of Korean culture. This unprecedented interest is clearly reflected in the demand for the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). As of September this year, over half a million people—approximately 550,000—have taken the TOPIK, marking the highest number since the exam’s introduction in 1997. The number of test-takers has steadily climbed in recent years, demonstrating an “explosive rise” that is reshaping educational and cultural exchanges, especially across Asia.
The greatest concentration of this interest is found in Asia, which accounts for over 90% of test-takers, with applicant numbers more than tripling in countries like Vietnam and China over the last three years. This soaring demand for language education is also cementing Korean’s place in the global lexicon; the Oxford English Dictionary now includes 48 Korean words, such as “mukbang” and “chimaek.” To meet this surge, the Ministry of Education plans to significantly boost accessibility by increasing the number of annual TOPIK sessions from six to 15 by 2025 and expanding Internet-Based Testing (IBT) to more regions, with a total of 17 countries offering it next year.
Despite the rapid expansion of the language’s influence, the educational infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with the demand, particularly in Asia. For example, less than 15% of all worldwide Korean language schools and only 16.5% of registered teachers are currently assigned to Asian countries. Furthermore, popular institutions like the King Sejong Institute network are facing challenges, with approximately 8,800 students reportedly on waiting lists for classes in its Asian branches. This disparity highlights an urgent need for more institutional support and resources to effectively address the massive and still-growing global wave of Korean language learners.
Korean Language Takes Center Stage: Global Demand Surges
