Korean slang profile

키덜트

kideolteu

An adult who enjoys childlike hobbies or character merchandise.

Expanded form: kid(어린이) + adult(성인)kid (어린이) + adult (성인)
Other spellings: —
Earliest source found: May 13, 2026
Documented trend period: Not verified

This is the earliest source we have verified, not the date the term was coined.

01Examples, with English translations

Example by Julimmal
어릴 때 좋아한 캐릭터를 모으는 키덜트 취미가 생겼어.
I’ve picked up a 키덜트 hobby of collecting characters I liked as a child.

02Documented history

May 2026The First Media introduced the meaning and usage of 키덜트.[1]

03Origin & word formation

The First Media explains it as a blend of kid and adult and introduces character-merchandise consumption. Who created it and when could not be established.

Evidence for the origin explanationMedium

The meaning and usage were checked directly in the source. How the term was first coined and earlier evidence need further comparison.

04Sources

Original titles and links are preserved. An English translation does not replace the original source.

"어린이날? 어른이날!"... CU, 캐릭터 상품 매출 75% 증가 - 더퍼스트미디어 (더퍼스트미디어)Published May 13, 2026Original source checked Nov 12, 2026