Say "Core Scene" Instead of "Key Visual"

Recommendations for Replacing Foreign Terms
"Key Visual," "Safety Screen," and "Smart Shelter"
to Be Replaced with Korean Alternatives

On July 7, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language recommended replacing the term "key visual" with the Korean expressions "core image" or "core scene." They also suggested replacing "安心 screen" (anxin screen, meaning "safety screen") and "smart shelter" with the Korean alternatives "safety partition" and "multi-functional shelter," respectively.

The term "key visual" refers to the most essential scene or image that represents the content and atmosphere in media such as advertisements, films, and games. The alternative terms "core image" and "core scene" were selected based on survey results. In a public acceptance survey conducted with 600 people from June 29 to 30, 67.4% of respondents answered that the alternatives were appropriate.

"Safety screen" refers to a device that blocks the empty spaces above and below partitions in public restrooms to prevent illegal filming crimes that exploit gaps between the floor and partitions or the ceiling and partitions. "Smart shelter" refers to a space equipped with various functions for user convenience, utilizing the Internet of Things. The Ministry and the Institute selected "safety partition" and "multi-functional shelter" as the respective alternatives during the New Words Committee meeting held from June 26 to 28.

The New Words Committee is a panel that provides easy-to-understand Korean alternatives for difficult foreign neologisms before they become widespread. Experts from various fields, including Korean language, foreign languages, education, public relations and publishing, information and communications, and media, participate in the committee. The Ministry and the Institute plan to continue promoting the use of these alternatives by encouraging government agencies and media outlets to take the lead in adopting them.