A
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Displaying cuteness or charming qualities with his/her behavior, typically changing his/her voice/ speech or making specific gestures.
Derived from the Chinese characters “love (ae)” and “beautiful (gyo).”
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A grouping of idols according to their age (e.g. ‘97 line). This could be within a specific group or across all idols.
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Short for akseong gaeinpaen (악성개인팬), an akgae is a malicious individual fan, who only supports a single member of a group and feels that their bias should be featured more, sometimes supporting disbandment.
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When an idol’s song or album simultaneously takes the top spot of all eight Korean music charts.
Real-Time All-Kill refers to the real time charts. This is an indicator that a group is extremely popular or is a new group on the rise.
Certified All-Kill includes both real-time + daily charts.
Perfect All-Kill includes real-time + daily + weekly charts. "
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An Anti-Fan, typically those who are against a specific group or all groups who are not their favorite (ult).
Although attacks are typically verbal through toxic online posts or collective efforts of a group of anti's, there have been instances of anti's physically attacking other fans or idols.
B
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Derived from 베이 "baby-face" and 글 "glamorous"
Typically used for female idols, it refers to someone with a baby face and a glamorous (slang for voluptuous) body.
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Your favorite member of the group.
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Your second favorite member(s) of the group that has the potential to become your bias.
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Big 3 - The three largest K-Pop agencies - SM, JYP and YG.
Big Four - The Big 3 has expanded to include Hybe / BigHit, which is now larger due to the success of BTS.
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At a multi-artist concert, festival or awards show, non-fans of the group that is performing turn off their light sticks so the performing artist only sees a sea of black.
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Bubble was created by SM's DEARU and has launched several separate apps for different K-Pop labels.
The app is subscription based for each artist and has chat, news and exclusive content. Live-streaming was also launched in 2022 with select apps.
SM's Bubble app, Lysn, closed in 2022 after the launch of Kwangya Club.
Participating labels include JYP, FNC, WM, Jellyfish, IST, TOP, RBW as well as a multi-artist app called Bubble for Stars.
Participating artists for each app are noted on Bubble's website here.
C
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The member of a group frequently positioned front & center in performances and/or visual content.
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A variety show game frequently played among idols.
Player 1 points their finger in one direction (left, right and sometimes up & down) and Player 2 tries to turn their head in the opposite direction. If Player 2 turns the same direction as Player 1's finger, they lose.
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When an artist returns with a new album, mini-album or single.
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A visual and thematic design for a specific album, track or era.
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Commercial Film - a commercial or advertisement
D
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Daesangs (literal translation: grand prize or big award) are the most important awards of the evening and can include Song of the Year, Album of the Year & Artist of the Year as well as other specific awards based on the show.
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A video recorded of the artist "practicing" the dance to their song.
Originally used internally to review choreography & formations (and still are), it has now become standard for idols to release a dance practice video for their song.
Alternative versions may also be created for fans (e.g. idols dancing in halloween costumes).
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When a new group or solo artist is launched to the public
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Dispatch is a Korean publication that reports on entertainment, and is most commonly known for its tradition of outing a celebrity couple every year on Jan. 1.
E
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At music shows when the performance is over, cameras typically focus on one of the performers faces.
Originally a beauty shot (frequently the visual was the ending fairy), it has evolved to include jokes and cute poses.
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The period of time from one comback until the next.
This may extend over several comebacks if the concept is continued over multiple albums (e.g. BTS had an HYYH era encompassing 3 albums)
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Fan Event - Created by the fans, Fan Events include pre-planned activities to support the artist for a variety of reasons (e.g. anniversary, birthday, filming a drama / commerical, etc.). They sometimes directly support the artist (e.g. sending a coffee truck to an artist's filming location) or for fans to gather to support the artist (e.g. a cupsleeve event at a local cafe / coffee shop).
Label / Artist Event - An activity planned by the artist or label / agency to support a specific promotion (e.g. birthday, concert, sponsorship, merch launch).
F
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Typically housed on the DAUM service. A fancafe a forum dedicated to a certain artist, specifically Korean artists.
Created before social network / SNS was used as the primary communication, agencies could release information & updates to fans. Fans could also leave messages for the artists. There is typically a level / rank system within each fan cafe where fans try to level up for additional access or communicate with other fans.
Note: Daum operates in Korean only.
Major agencies now typically use their own websites or SNS for communications, although some Fan Cafes are still active.
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A performance video focused on a specific idol.
Music shows frequently release fancams, but it may also refer to a concert video captured by a fan.
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Fan chants are typically created for a group’s title tracks by the group’s agency.
These chants are created to enhance fan interaction in a performance with a call & response style format.
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The collective group of fans for a specific idol. Fandoms are typically given names by the Artist / Label that are typically tied to the Artist’s name and/or theme.
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Fictional stories written by fans featuring idols.
Frequently told in the Y/N (your name) format to immerse the reader in the story.
Note: this term is not specific to K-Pop.
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A smaller gathering of fans focused on interaction with the Artist.
It may include performances, but less structured and more casual.
These are ticketed events, sometimes reserved only for official fan club members.
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Fanservice has multiple meanings.
In the broadest sense of the term, it means activities of behaviors that idols do to please their fans. That can be something like aegyo, giving gifts to fans, showing off their muscles, etc.
It can also include public displays of affection (or skinship) between members of a group, feeding into the “shipping” culture.
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Similar to a meet & greet in the West, a fansign is an opportunity for a fan to meet an idol one-on-one, get something signed and potentially give a gift (if allowed).
Access to fansigns are awarded through a lottery either through an album (a golden ticket is inside the album) or sponsor.
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A hand gesture where the thumb and index finger make a heart shape. Frequently used to express love for their fans.
G
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Gawi bawi bo (가위 바위 보) is a Korean version of Rock Paper Scissors, although paper is a wrapping cloth.
Muk jji ppa (묵 찌 빠) is a variation of Gawi bawi bo that includes a secondary round where the players yell out one of the options with the corresponding hand gesture. The winner of round 1 wins if player 2's choice matches player 1. If not, the game continues until the winner's choice is matched by the other player.
묵 (Muk)=Rock, 찌 (Jji)=Scissors, 빠 (Ppa)=Paper"
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1) The Korean term for K-Pop.
2) At the end of each year, the three major Korean broadcasting companies host year-end shows - SBS Gayo Daejun, MBC Gayo Daejejun, and the KBS Gayo Daechukje.
Each show features special collaborations and performances.
H
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The Korean Wave - the term used to describe the spread of Korean culture to the West since the 1990's.
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A fan who lusts after an idol and thinks about them in a non-platonic way.
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Similar to a fansign, Hi-touch is where fans can walk down the row of the group members and greet them.
Pre-pandemic, there were opportunities to touch (i.e. high five) the idols, but may now be meetings through plexiglass.
They frequently take place before / after concerts or at fan meetings and are an extra cost in addition to a ticket.
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Korean as a language changes based on the level of formality and who you are speaking to and this is reflected in honorifics.
Age and status play a major role in how people speak and treat others. This is not only related to older / younger but also within a business setting like the K-Pop industry.
In this case, artists who debuted earlier are “sunbaenim” or senior to artists who debuted later, even though the senior artists may be younger in age.
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A phrase frequently used to cheer someone on.
Similar to " you can do it" or "good luck."
Can also be pronounced as “Paiting.”
I
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A person who sings, dances and performs as a solo act or part of a group. They are managed by an agency that trains and develops them. They graduate from "trainee" to 'idol" when they debut.
J
K
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A memorable part of a song that stands out to the listener / viewer. This could be a dance move or a line of a song.
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A non-Korean person with an obsession toward Korean culture.
Typically not used in a positive way.
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Kwangya Club is the dedicated social network for SM Entertainment artists launched in 2022.
Baoth free & paid tiers are available for access to artists and content.
Live-streaming is planned to launch soon.
Kwangya is the metaverse created by SM & its SM Content Universe.
L
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This is the spokesperson of the team both to the public and to the agency.
They typically act as the liaison between the agency and the group as well as a group mediator.
This is not always the oldest member of the group.
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In regards to positions of the group - lead rapper / vocalist / dancer - this is typicially the second most skilled member with frequent features of their talents in songs & performances.
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Customized, battery operated hand-held lights that are designed to light-up along with the artist’s performance.
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Grouping members of a group together based on specific characteristics (e.g. hyung line = older members, vocal line = vocalists, 97 line = members born in 1997).
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How lines of a song are allocated among members in a group.
M
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A game frequently played among idols on variety shows.
Members are assigned roles (mafia, citizens, police) and over a few rounds determine who is the mafia.
This has also been adapted to dance mafia - where all members wear headphones and a few are listening to a different song (the mafia). They all need to perform the dance to the song without getting caught.
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The term “maknae” in Korean literally means the youngest sibling in a family. In K-Pop, the maknae is the youngest member of the group.
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Manner hands: When a male idol hovers his hands over a female instead of making direct contact
Manner legs: Usually when a taller idol takes a wider stance to accommodate shorter people like their hair/makeup team or photos with shorter idols.
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The most skilled in the group within a specific talent (vocal, dance, rap) and is featured most prominently.
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Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality assessment that is frequently discussed and used in K-Culture.
The 16 different personality types are a combination of 4 letters each indicating a preference.
I/E - Introvert or Extrovert
S/N - Sensing or Intuition
T/F - Thinking or Feeling
J/P -Judging or Perceiving
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The largest of the major digital music providers in South Korea
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This is the part of a concert where an idol talks directly to the audience and gives a short speech. Likely derived from the English word "comMENT.”
There can be multiple Maents during a live show - to introduce themselves, talk about the show and give their final comments.
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Military service is required for all able-bodied Korean born men, with their eligibility determined at 18/19. They are required to enter before their 28th birthday and the term of service is approximately 18-21 months.
Exemptions from active duty may be granted based on health conditions or special achievements (e.g. Olympic medals, international classical music compeitions, etc.). Most need to complete alternative service instead.
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May also be known as an LP. It’s an album with a limited number of tracks (4-8).
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A fan of K-Pop who follows / likes multiple groups.
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Weekly music shows that showcase K-Pop.
Typically hosted by idols or up-and-coming actors who briefly interview the artists and encourage the viewers to vote and include performances by the artists of their new music.
A winner is crowned each week, which is calculated by a multitude of factors including fan voting, sales and airplay.
Winning artists, if they are in the studio, will typically do an ‘encore performance’ that includes a type of ceremony. (e.g. singing other members’ parts, wearing costumes, etc.)
The main music shows are M! Countdown, Inkigayo, Music Bank, Music Core, Show Champion and The Show. "
N
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The primary Korean search portal (similar to Google).
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Netizen - an internet citizen.
K-Netizen - a netizen from Korea
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Translated to "who?"
It refers to idols / groups who have not found recognition yet (new or established).
O
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Original Soundtrack.
Refers to original songs written & recorded for K-Dramas or films. Many idols record the OST and may also star in the show / film as well.
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Derived from the fandom term OTP or One True Pair / Pairing, which is used to describe your ultimate fictional pairing (or ship) of characters.
In K-Pop, the P is replaced by the number of members in the group to denote that a fan does not have a bias in the group and they love all members equally. (e.g. OT5 of TXT)
In some cases, if a members leaves or enters a group, fans may use the original number to show their support of the original members.(e.g. OT7 for Monsta X although Wonho is no longer a member)
P
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A translation website & app owned by Naver, typically more accurate than Google Translate for Korean & includes an honorific option.
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Program Director. A title given to the person in charge of a show. Their role can be similar to a director or producer.
"-nim" can be added when speaking formally.
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A person at an agency who is in charge of choreography and live performances.
Depending on the agency, this could include in-house choreographers or supervisors in charge of an entire performance / concert.
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A small photo the size of a playing card featuring a member or group's photos. They are typically included in albums but can also be included in other merchandise. They are collected and shared like trading cards.
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An easily recognizable & replicated part of the choreography.
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Members of a group who have specific talents they showcase and what they are primarily responsible for - vocal, dance, rap, performance, visual as well as the leader. There may also be levels to these positions (Main, lead, sub).
This may be formalized but some groups do not have designated positions (aside from Leader) to showcase the well-rounded nature of the members.
Q
R
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A group of performers line up in front of a camera & take turns performing parts of the song.
This could be one act performing their title track, a cover song or medley of songs. This could also be members of several groups or a soloist with his/her dancers.
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An artist will re-release their previous album with new packaging and additional tracks including a new Title Track.
This release is promoted similar to the original release with music show appearances, etc.
S
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A obssessive fan who tries to get close to idols inappropriately and invade their privacy. This can include stalking, breaking into homes and sometimes kidnapping. They are frowned upon by the overall fandom and most fans try to prevent the sharing of sasaeng images as they are an invasion of privacy.
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A selfie - a combination of the words “SELf” & “CAmera.”
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Most idols are signed to 7 year contracts. When contract renewal happens, sometimes group members decide to leave the group or the agency (and remain part of the group). It frequently leads to group disbandment.
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A fan or group of fans’ wish for two (or more) idols to be together in a romantic / non-platonic way.
Derived from the term relationSHIP. This could be within a group or across groups.
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A game frequently played on variety shows. This can be played with two teams of two or multiple players.
All players wear noise cancelling headphones so they cannot hear the other member. One member needs to guess what the other is saying by reading their lips. This can be played with large groups, where the correct term needs to be communicated down the line. The group with the most correct answers wins.
Misreading lips and shouting out incorrect / inappropriate terms results in funny moments shared on social media.
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Physical affection between two people. This can be within a romantic releationship or platonic between friends. Frequently seen within groups who hug, cuddle and are physically affectionate.
In K-Pop, skinship is typically only between group members or within the same gender.
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When a fan only cares about one member of the group and feels ambivalent about rest of the members. This is not necessarily a negative term if the fan's support isn't detrimental to the rest of the group.
A solo stan who is an anti of the rest of the group is called an Akgae.
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Social Network Service - includes Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, WEibo, etc.
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The opposite of a hard stan. Someone who thinks about an idol in a platonic / friendly way.
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A set of members within a specific group created to highlight / showcase the specific members or skills.
They are sometimes created within male groups when some members are completing their military service.
There may also be permanent units within the group who perform as a separate group (e.g. NCT Dream is a unit of NCT)
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Music competition shows, better known as ‘survival shows’ in Korea, have been successful in developing and creating successful K-Pop groups and artists. These shows have taken a variety of formats with a heavy component of viewer voting.
T
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The lead song off of the album or single that’s performed at music shows or other promotional events.
Refereed to as the lead single in Western markets.
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K-Pop agencies or labels will train and groom their talent as trainees for many years before debuting them. Agencies will find talent via auditions (in-person or online) as well as through in-house talent scouts who will find trainees outside schools or other popular locations for teenagers.
Trainees are not only trained in singing / rapping and dancing. Depending on the agency, they may also study multiple languages, interviewing / speaking skills, songwriting / producing, culture, live streaming and more. "
U
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Your ultimate. Can be used to describe your favorite idol overall or your favorite group (e.g. ult-group).
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A term and policy developed by the South Korean government during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic meaning no contact.
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Universe is a music social network & app for Korean music that includes communication, news and content from a select number of artists. The platform heavily features exclusive and original content from the participating artists.
Fans sign up for each ""planet,"" the specific artist community and can pay to message artists directly, although responses from the artists aren't direct.
You can find a list of participating artists here.
V
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Pre-recorded videos typically played at concerts or other performances, typically between sets so artists can change / get a break.
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Cmonsidered the best lookin member in the group & featured frequently in visual materials.
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VLive had been the go to digital destination for live streaming. On this platform, artists could, in real time, interact with fans.
VLive was shut down on January 1, 2023 and replaced with Weverse after the acquisition.
W
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A free music social network & app, primarily for K-Pop, that integrates communication, media and live-streaming.
Fans sign up for each artist they want to follow.
Weverse also owns Weverse Shop that sells the merchandise from participating acts.
All HYBE acts are on Weverse as it’s owned by HYBE, but many other acts have joined (YG, etc.).
X
Y
Z
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