Korean slang profile

멘탈데믹

mentaldemik

The epidemic-like spread of emotional distress such as anxiety and depression as an infectious disease crisis continues.

Expanded form: 정신(mental) + 감염병(epidemic)정신(mental) + 감염병(epidemic) (mental + epidemic)
Other spellings: 멘털데믹
Earliest source found: Aug 5, 2020
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
멘탈데믹이라는 표현은 마음을 돌볼 필요성도 보여 줬다.
The expression 멘탈데믹 also showed the need to care for our emotional well-being.

02Documented history

August 2020한국일보 introduced it while explaining emotional distress spreading during an infectious disease crisis and psychological support.[1]
December 2020영남일보 covered it as a neologism expressing COVID-19-related emotions.[2]

03Origin & word formation

한국일보 explains it as a blend of ‘Mental’ and ‘Epidemic’. This entry follows that source’s explanation and does not present it as a medical diagnosis. The first user and time could not be established.

Evidence for the origin explanationMedium

The meaning and blended formation were checked in 한국일보. This does not establish the first coiner or certify it as an official medical term.

04Sources

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

큐코노미, 멘털데믹, 코로나 카스트…달라진 세상, 쏟아지는 신조어들 (한국일보)Published Aug 5, 2020Original source checked Nov 13, 2026
[우리말과 한국문학] 신조어를 통해 본 코로나 한국 (영남일보)Published Dec 3, 2020Original source checked Nov 13, 2026