If you are new to the KPOP world, then - WELCOME! But, as you enter Kpop, you may encounter some KPOP fandom terms that will surely make you wonder like, “what does that mean?” If this is your concern, then let me help you out! Whether this is your first entry to Kpop or you’ve been in the Kpop community for years, let me break down some Kpop terms and what’s the meaning behind them!
Idol
The term ‘Idol’ is often used to refer to Kpop stars. Idols can be a member of a group or a solo artist who has debuted and is no longer a trainee at a certain entertainment agency. For example, Kpop idol Jennie, Kpop idol Daniel Kang, Kpop idol Jungkook, and more. That’s it!
Comeback
Although non-Kpop fans may use the word comeback to refer to an artist who has been on hiatus, Kpop primarily uses the word ‘comeback’ to refer to when a solo artist or group releases a new song. Each comeback also has a concept or theme that Kpop idols keep throughout their performances.
Fandom
This term refers to the fans of a certain Kpop idol or group. In fact, every Kpop idol has a specific name for their fandom, and it’s very special to fans. For example, BTS - ARMY, TWICE - ONCE, STRAY KIDS -STAY, MONSTA X - MONBEBE, BLACKPINK - BLINK, and so on. So, what fandom are you in?!
Fanchant
Fanchants are often used before an artist’s performance. Fans include the names of the members of a group and words or lyrics specific to that artist.
Bias
Bias is usually the first word that a new Kpop fan learns. This Kpop term refers to your favorite member of the group. Then, ‘Bias Group’ means your all-time favorite among all the other groups. In addition, ‘Ult Bias,’ or short for ‘Ultimate Bias,’ is another word that refers to your favorite idol out of all the groups you stan for. Make sense?!
Bias Wrecker
Bias wrecker is your second favorite Kpop star who has a high chance of becoming your new favorite. Also, a bias wrecker makes you think twice about your bias.
Visual
All Kpop idols are good-looking, but the word ‘visual’ often refers to a member of a group who’s the most attractive based on Korean beauty standards. Some of the most popular group visuals are Jisoo of BLACKPINK and Jin of BTS.
Center
The term ‘Center’ is often used to refer to the member who is most likely to appear in the center of a group's performance. Centers are often thought of as the member that fans would most often think of when they think of the group. The most popular ‘Center’ is TWICE member Nayeon.
Maknae
The term ‘Maknae’ means ‘youngest sibling’ in Korean. So, in Kpop, it often refers to the group's youngest member. Popular examples are BLACKPINK Lisa, BTS Jungkook, TWICE Tzuyu, and ENHYPEN Niki. Meanwhile, ‘Golden Maknae’ is a word referring to the youngest member of the group that excels in all aspects of performing, more like an ‘all-rounder.’
All-Kill
‘All-Kill’ is when a group or soloist is number one on all of Korea's main music charts. Your idol group made an ‘all-kill’ if it ranked number one on Melon Daily TOP 100, Melon 24Hits, Genie TOP 100 Daily, Genie TOP 100 Realtime, FLO Realtime, VIBE Today Top 100, Bugs Song Chart Daily, and Bugs Song Chart Realtime. Some Kpop idols who have achieved ‘All-Kill’ include BTS, IU, Red Velvet, BLACKPINK, and Brave Girls.
Sasaeng
‘Sasaeng’ is an obsessive fan who has crossed the line, which is like a stalker. This refers to fans who invade the privacy of their favorite Kpop celebrities. If you’re on Kpop years ago, for sure, you have heard Kpop trending news reporting Sasaengs stalking their favorite Kpop stars.
Daesang
‘Daesang,’ meaning ‘grand prize, is the highest achievement that a Kpop soloist or group may receive based on album sales. Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Artist of the Year are examples of Daesang.
Killing Part
The ‘Killing Part’ is a part of a dance or music video that's considered to be the best. Every Kpop idols’ music video has its own killing part.
ZZZ
The term ‘ZZZ’ refers to 4th generation boy groups ATEEZ, THE BOYZ, and Stray Kids. ‘ZZZ’ came out when the popular Kpop program ‘Kingdom: Legendary War’ allegedly gave an ‘unfair advantage’ to ‘ZZZ’ members, which are the three Kpop groups. After the Kpop trending news broke out, fans used the term ‘ZZZ’ to refer to ATEEZ, THE BOYZ, and Stray Kids.
Big 3
In Kpop, ‘Big 3’ refers to the three most popular entertainment agencies in South Korea. ‘Big 3’ includes JYP Entertainment, SM Entertainment, and YG Entertainment. However, in the present, BIGHIT Entertainment, under HYBE Labels, is also an emerging and competitive entertainment agency to which the top Kpop group BTS belongs.
As you dive deeper into Kpop, you may encounter more Kpop terms for sure, but over time, you’ll surely know and learn what’s the meaning behind these words. At least for now, you have some knowledge about the common terms used in Kpop and won’t be confused when you hear them more often.
For those who have been in the Kpop community for years, do you have more Kpop terms to add? Kindly share yours in the comment section!
Anyway, if you’re looking for the best Kpop news website to find Kpop current news, you can check out Kpopida and be updated with the latest Kpop trending news about your favorite Kpop idols!
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