K-pop has taken the Western world by storm, with groups such as BTS, Blackpink, Stray Kids, and Twice captivating fans with their addictive songs and magnetic personalities. If your pop culture consumption has primarily been in English up until now, the Korean tidal wave can seem intimidating and confusing.
This isn’t helped by the very K-pop specific language many fans use — and I don’t mean Korean. Phrases such as “clearing the searches,” “ending fairy,” and “finger heart” are widely understood amongst K-pop fans, but may just feel like a third layer of incomprehensibility to newcomers.
Fortunately, the K-pop community is always happy to help anyone who asks. Whether you’re getting into K-pop, want to get into K-pop, or just want to hold a conversation with someone who’s already into K-pop, here’s a glossary of terms that will help you navigate the scene.
4D
4D is Korean slang for someone who has a weird, eccentric personality. They seem to live in their own strange world, often behaving unusually or unexpectedly. Though it may seem like an insult, calling someone 4D is actually considered a compliment, and 4D idols are loved for their weirdness. Idols who are considered 4D personalities include BTS’ V, Stray Kids’ Lee Know, and GOT7’s Jackson.
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Aegyo
Aegyo is when an idol acts cute, typically pitching their voice higher, speaking in baby talk, and making gestures such as poking their cheeks or framing their face with their hands. It’s a bit of fanservice usually performed on request, though idols may display embarrassment or playful reluctance to perform it.
Idols are well aware some people cringe at aegyo, and having to do it is a common punishment for losing variety show games. However some idols will also perform aegyo at their fellow group members purely to annoy them, which radiates strong sibling energy.
All-kill
An all-kill or “perfect all-kill” is when a K-pop group is ranked at number one on all eight Korean music charts at once. This is incredibly difficult to accomplish, and doing so is a strong indicator that the group is very popular.
Anti
An anti is someone who spends their time attacking an idol they don’t like, as though they don’t have better things to do than needlessly spread malice. Antis will tear down idols and their fans for trivial reasons, such as not liking a performer’s music or believing their fave is a better rapper. Antis typically spread toxicity on the internet, however it has been known to go further. In 2006, TVXQ’s Yunho was admitted to hospital after drinking orange juice that an anti had mixed with super glue.
It’s best to avoid antis when navigating the K-pop scene, but also be careful not to become one yourself. It’s OK not to like an idol or their music. It isn’t OK to spread hate, or attack others just because they enjoy a song you don’t.
Bias
A person’s bias is their favourite idol in a K-pop group, while a “bias wrecker” is another member who tempts fans to switch their bias. An “ult” or “ult bias” is a fan’s favourite idol out of all idols in all groups. Having a bias is common, and not to be confused with being a solo stan.
Example: “RM keeps wrecking me, but Suga is my bias and I’m loyal.”
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Big 3
The Big 3 are the three K-pop entertainment companies which have historically been the largest and most successful: JYP Entertainment, SM Entertainment, and YG Entertainment. JYP manages groups such as Twice, GOT7, and Stray Kids; SM manages Exo, Red Velvet, and NCT; and YG manages Big Bang, Blackpink, and Treasure.
Big Hit Entertainment has recently threatened this trinity through the phenomenal success of BTS, as well as the upcoming debut of Enhypen — a joint project with CJ E&M.
Clearing the searches
Clearing the searches is a K-pop Twitter phenomenon in which fans repeatedly spam positive words alongside an idol’s name. Fans make a communal effort to do this when the automatically generated keywords associated with an idol in Twitter’s search bar are negative. The aim is to replace these negative phrases with positive ones and drown out derogatory tweets. Algorithm concerns are also why K-pop fans censor words such as “disband” and “die.”
K-pop fans frequently invent exciting, spreadable lies in order to clear the searches, hoping others trying to find out what’s happening will inadvertently help. Common types of lies include that an idol has changed their hair colour, is related to another celebrity, or has promised to release new content.
Comeback
A comeback is when a K-pop group releases and promotes new music. The first performance of a group’s new songs is called their “comeback stage,” after which they’ll promote their comeback by appearing on variety and music shows such as Weekly Idol and M Countdown. This promotional period lasts for a few weeks before wrapping up with a “goodbye stage.” Comebacks often have a specific theme or “concept” which ties a group’s songs together.
Daesang
A daesang is the highest accolade that can be won at one of the annual music award shows, the equivalent of Song of the Year at the Grammys. One award show can have multiple daesang, like Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year, but each daesang only has one winner. Winning a daesang is a significant achievement for a K-pop group, with fans coordinating and campaigning to get their favourite groups the win.
A daesang isn’t to be confused with a “bonsang,” which is like a main prize as opposed to a grand prize. Bonsang are awarded to multiple artists, while only one claims the daesang. Notable award shows that grant daesang include the Korean Music Awards, the Golden Disc Awards, and the Gaon Chart Music Awards.
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Dance practice
Dance practices videos show K-pop groups performing the full choreography for a song without focusing on singing. These are typically recorded in a group’s practice room, with the idols dressed more casually than they would for a full performance.
While many are straightforward, dance practices can involve costumes, minor changes to choreography, and general goofing around.
Dating ban
Several South Korean entertainment companies temporarily prohibit their artists from dating, with bans typically lasting around three to five years after their debut. There are multiple reasons for this, including that it makes idols appear more dedicated to their fans, minimises potential for scandal, and reduces distraction during those crucial first years when they’re building up both their skills and a fanbase. Of course, that hasn’t stopped some idols from dating in secret.
Dispatch
Dispatch is a Korean publication that reports on the K-pop scene, and is most commonly known for its tradition of outing a celebrity couple every year on Jan. 1. K-pop idols often keep their romantic relationships secret not just because of dating bans, but also due to the simple desire to keep their private lives private. The publication’s practice of exposing couples is so notorious that fans and idols alike have joked that pairs who seem close will be featured on Dispatch.
Emotional support K-pop boy
An emotional support K-pop boy or girl is an idol that fans draw inspiration and comfort from. This reassurance is gained not only from an idol’s music, but also through observing their personality and personal struggles. Idols such as Stray Kids’ Bang Chan have also been known to speak to fans during live streams, offering encouraging words to those who are going through a difficult time.
Example: “Bang Chan is my emotional support K-pop boy. His live streams really comfort me and help me to keep going when I’m struggling.”
Ending fairy
An ending fairy is the member of a K-pop group who the camera lingers on at the end of a performance. The idol holds a pose and looks directly into the camera until it cuts away, sometimes making a gesture such as winking. Usually there is just one ending fairy per performance, but there can be multiple if the close-up shot cuts between two or three members. Like performing aegyo, being the ending fairy can be embarrassing for idols and is sometimes the punishment for losing a game.
Era
In K-pop, an era is the period of time from one comeback to the next. An era ends when a K-pop group releases a new title track, at which point a new era named after that track begins. Fans may nostalgically recall certain eras, or compare their bias’ looks throughout eras.
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Fancam
A fancam is a video that tracks a single idol throughout a group performance, allowing fans to follow their bias’ every move. Frequently shot in portrait mode, fancams are recorded by fans and music shows alike, with official fancams often released after stage performances.
K-pop fancams are frequently used to spam threads on Twitter, derailing posts or drowning out information fans don’t want spread. This also has the added benefit of promoting fans’ favourite groups at the same time.
Fanchant
Fanchants are set cheering guides that K-pop fans follow during song performances. They can be lyrics, responses, or even just group members’ names. Fans still yell, cheer, and sing along throughout K-pop performances, but fanchants tend to be the loudest, and are a significant part of the concert experience. These organised cheers allow fans to participate and show their appreciation for their idols while still being able to hear them sing.
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Fanmeets
Fanmeets are relaxed performances with a small audience, typically focusing on crowd interaction rather than songs. Idols will play games, answer questions, and may casually perform their music, doing things such as switching parts among members. Entry to fanmeets is ticketed, and frequently sold alongside concert tickets.
Fansigns
Fansigns are greeting events that give K-pop fans a minute or so of one-on-one time with each member of a group. This allows them to have a conversation, get something signed, and potentially give gifts depending upon the entertainment company’s policies. Fansigns aren’t to be confused with fanmeets, where idols interact with the general audience rather than individually. Participants in fansigns are also chosen by lottery, prompting dedicated fans to buy multiple copies of an album to increase their odds.
Finger heart
A finger heart is a gesture in which a person crosses their thumb and index finger to make a small V, or the shape of a tiny heart. Idols frequently make this gesture to fans to indicate their love and appreciation — or to each other if they’re feeling playful.
Idols may display finger hearts while saying “saranghae.”
Image: ELVIE MAE PARIAN / MASHABLE
Hard stans
Hard stans are fans who appreciate a K-pop star’s sexual side, and tend to be the ones who post photos of idols’ abs on Twitter. Contrast with “soft stans,” who are much more platonic in their affections. Soft stans are more likely to call idols cute than sexy, and enjoy seeing them with plush toys and soft sweaters.
Hi-touch
A hi-touch is an in-person event where fans can briefly physically interact with their idols. Group members line up while fans move down the row, getting a few seconds to give them a hi-five and maybe blurt out a sentence. Hi-touches often take place after concerts or during fanmeets, and are much quicker than fansigns.
Hwaiting
“Hwaiting” is an expression of encouragement and resolve, derived from the English word “fighting.” Idols may say this to gear themselves up before taking the stage, or to bolster their members when faced with a challenging game.
Idol
An idol is a K-pop artist who has debuted. Idols begin as “trainees” who are taught how to sing, dance, and rap by an entertainment company. The length of this training varies depending upon the trainee, even lasting 15 years in one case. When the company finally deems the trainee ready they are allowed to officially debut and begin their career. Newly debuted idols are called “rookies” for the first two years or so.
Killing part
The killing part of a song is a segment that stands out, grabbing a listener’s attention and sticking in their brain. This could be memorable choreography, such as Ryujin’s shoulder dance during the opening of Itzy’s “Wannabe,” or a notable lyric, like Felix’s “cooking like a chef” line in the second verse of Stray Kids’ “God’s Menu.” Notably, the killing part isn’t necessarily the chorus or hook, and might not be repeated in the song.
Leader
Almost every K-pop group has a leader, who takes on the responsibility of being the group’s spokesperson and decision-maker. It’s their job to guide the team, mediate between members, and occasionally pull them back in line. The leader is often the group’s oldest member but doesn’t necessarily have to be, with RM right in the middle of BTS in terms of age.
Other leaders include Bang Chan of Stray Kids, S.Coups of Seventeen, and Yeji of Itzy. Blackpink is unusual in that it does not have an official leader, though Jisoo makes a lot of decisions as the oldest.
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Lightstick
A lightstick is an official cheering wand that K-pop fans wave at concerts. Lit with LEDs, these battery-powered rods have Bluetooth capabilities enabling them to light up in time with a group’s music.
Lightsticks are one of the most coveted items of K-pop paraphernalia, and each group has their own stick specifically designed for them. Different groups’ lightsticks are also given their own names, such as Twice’s Candy Bong, EXO’s Pharynx, and Mamamoo’s Moobong.
Line
A line is a collection of idols within a K-pop group who all have something in common. For example, the dance line is a group’s dancers, the maknae line is its younger members, and the ‘00 line is all of its members who were born in 2000. In Stray Kids, Felix and Bang Chan are considered the “Aussie line” because both are from Australia.
Fans also enjoy having fun with lines, giving various idol combinations names like “cutie line,” “dumpling line,” and “husband line.”
Line distribution
Line distribution has nothing to do with the above type of lines. Rather, it refers to how a song is split up, with each member of a group given different parts to sing. Fans may get indignant if they feel a song’s lines weren’t evenly distributed among members.
Locals
A local is someone who is not a K-pop fan, and unfamiliar with the community’s terminology and intricacies. K-pop fans may get excited when locals take notice of their favourite groups, as it’s an indication that their popularity is growing. However, fans can also become angry if they feel the locals aren’t affording their idols proper respect and acknowledgement.
Jungkook is BTS’ youngest member, known amongst fans as the Golden Maknae.
Image: ELVIE MAE PARIAN / MASHABLE
Maknae
The term “maknae” isn’t specific to K-pop. Rather, it’s used in Korean communities to refer to the youngest person in a group. In K-pop, a group’s maknae will often be babied, teased and doted on by their fellow members. Idols who are their groups’ maknae include BTS’ Jungkook, Mamamoo’s Hwasa, and Twice’s Tzuyu.
Many Korean honorifics also frequently appear in the K-pop scene. Men use “hyung” and “noona” to refer to older men and women respectively, while women use “oppa” and “unnie.” A younger person is called a “dongsaeng” regardless of gender, and a “sunbae” is someone who began at your workplace or school before you. You may therefore hear idols refer to performers who debuted before them as “sunbaenim.”
Ment
A ment is a portion of a concert where idols talk to fans and give speeches. Ments give idols a short break from their vigorous dancing, and can lead to some heartfelt and hilarious moments. If an idol does aegyo at a concert, it will likely be during a ment.
Multi
A multi is someone who is a fan of multiple K-pop groups. Multis frequently use portmanteaus of their groups’ fandom names to identify themselves. For example, fans of BTS are called “Army” and fans of Stray Kids are called “Stay,” so multis who support both call themselves “Stayarmys.”
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Music show
Music shows are weekly Korean television shows on which K-pop stars perform and promote their music. Multiple groups will appear each episode, performing their latest songs and giving brief, casual interviews. Comeback stages are typically performed on these shows.
Music shows also grant the number one group an award at the end of each episode, decided from a combination of sales, streaming numbers, and online voting depending upon the show. This is one of the reasons K-pop fans feverishly stream their group’s music and encourage others to do the same, frequently coordinating community streaming and voting events. Music shows include Inkigayo, Show Champion, M Countdown and Music Bank.
Photocards
Photocards are basically K-pop trading cards, with each card bearing a photo of an individual idol. Most album releases include a couple of random photocards, but they can also be obtained through promotional events. Fans buy, sell, and trade photocards with each other, aiming to build complete sets or collect all their bias’ cards.
Point dance
A point dance is a prominent, signature move in a song’s choreography. If someone asked you to a K-pop dance on the spot, chances are you’d include the point dance. In contrast to the killing part, the point dance is more likely to be repeated throughout the song, frequently during the chorus. There can also be multiple point dances in one song.
Position
An idol’s position within a K-pop group determines what areas of performance they are primarily responsible for. While all members are generally well-rounded, each idol specialises in specific skills, whether that be dance, rap, or singing.
Common positions include main and lead dancers, rappers, and vocalists; the leader; the maknae; and the visual. Each member can hold one or more positions, and positions can also be shared among them. For example, BTS’ Jungkook is the group’s main vocalist, lead dancer, and maknae, but his fellow member V is a lead dancer as well.
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Relay dance
A relay dance is a performance in which a K-pop group will line up behind each other and take turns to dance to their song. Each idol will dance for a few seconds before moving to the back of the queue, letting the next person in line have their turn and continuing to cycle through until the song ends.
Saranghae
“Saranghae” is the informal way of saying “I love you” in Korean. Idols will often say this to fans during appearances.
Sasaeng
A sasaeng is an obsessive fan who violates the bounds of a normal idol-fan relationship. Sasaengs may invade an idol’s privacy, taking part in stalking behaviour such as tracking down idols in their personal time, breaking into their homes, contacting their family members, and stealing from them. Some sasaengs have also physically assaulted or attempted to kidnap idols.
Sasaengs are widely reviled in K-pop communities, and will often be reported to the harassed idol’s entertainment company when identified. Fans also attempt to suppress photographs obtained by sasaeng fans and refuse to spread them, hoping to protect their idols’ privacy.
Selca
“Selca” is the Korean word for “selfie.” Idols will post selcas for their fans on their group’s official Instagram account, and many fandoms have unofficial “selca days” where they post their own to social media.
Skinship
Skinship refers to platonic physical affection, such as hugs, head pats, cuddles, and cheek kisses. A portmanteau of the words “skin” and “relationship,” skinship is often displayed between idols in the same group, and indicates a very close bond.
Solo stan
A solo stan is a fan who loves one member of a group but feels ambivalent at most toward the rest. They’re typically harmless, spending their time focusing love on their bias and ignoring the other members. However, if taken to extreme, solo stans can become “akgae.” Akgae are solo stans who actively hate the other members of their bias’ group, becoming antis.
SOPA
SOPA is an acronym for Seoul Performing Arts High School. Many K-pop idols attend or have attended this school, including The Boyz’ Eric, Ateez’ Yunho, and BTS’ Jungkook. Students who have debuted may sometimes wear the school’s distinctive uniform in vlogs or livestreams, which consists of a bright yellow blazer with navy trim.
Sub-unit
A sub-unit is similar to a line in that it is a smaller group of idols within an established group. However, rather than having a trait in common, sub-units are more official, permanent musical groups that release their own side projects. This gives idols the opportunity to be more experimental, or demonstrate skills they might not use so often. For example, Stray Kids’ sub-unit 3Racha is composed of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, and focuses more on impactful rap performances.
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Survival show
A survival show is a television show in which several trainees compete to earn a place in a new K-pop group. Trainees are eliminated throughout the show via a mix of audience voting and judges’ decisions, with the group’s final lineup revealed in the finale.
Survival shows include I-Land, which created Enhypen, and Sixteen, which created Twice. The Stray Kids survival show was unique in that the group had already been formed, with trainees instead working to prove they were good enough to stay in it.
V Live
V Live is a video streaming website used by K-pop artists for their broadcasts. If an idol is livestreaming, chances are it’s on V Live. Groups also upload prerecorded performances, music videos, and in-house variety shows to the website.
Variety show
Variety shows are Korean television shows such as Weekly Idol and After School Club, in which celebrity guests give interviews, play games, and do short dance performances. Unlike music shows, variety shows focus on idols’ personalities rather than their stage performances, and each episode is dedicated to one group. K-pop groups frequently appear on variety shows when promoting new releases.
Visual
The visual in a K-pop group is the member considered the most striking or visually appealing. A person’s aesthetic appeal is subjective of course, but idols and fans alike tend to agree certain members fit Korean beauty standards best. The theory is that a visual’s charismatic good looks will spark people’s curiosity, causing them to give the group’s music a shot. Visuals include SF9’s Rowoon, Red Velvet’s Irene, and Stray Kids’ Hyunjin.
Fortunately, you don’t have to study or memorise all these terms in order to dive into K-pop. Most of them you’ll absorb through constant exposure, like learning a language by living in an unfamiliar country.
The best way to join the K-pop scene is simply to watch a few fan compilations, check out some performances, and just see where the music takes you.