K-pop Glossary
Essential terms, slang, and Korean words every K-pop fan should know
Term used by girls to address older males; commonly used by female fans about male idols
Showing 60 of 60 terms
Album
A music release package; K-pop albums include photocards, photobooks, and CDs
B-side
Non-title tracks on an album; often fan favorites despite less promotion
Becoming a Fan
The moment a person enters a fandom and becomes a dedicated fan
Charting
When a song enters or rises on music charts
Choreography
The planned dance moves for a song performance
Comeback
A new music release or promotional period after a hiatus
Concept
The visual and artistic theme of a K-pop group for a particular era or album
Concert
A live performance event; K-pop concerts are known for elaborate production
Considerate Fan
A fan known for thoughtful, ethical behavior — respects idols' privacy and space
Dance Challenge
A viral social media trend where fans replicate a specific dance move from a song
Debut
The first official public performance or release of an idol or group
Drama / TV Series
Korean TV series; many K-pop idols also act in dramas
Encore
An additional performance at the end of a concert, prompted by fan chanting
Entertainment Agency
The company that manages and develops K-pop artists
Entertainment/Variety Show
TV variety or entertainment programs; idols often appear on these to promote
Fan Chant
A fandom's official chant performed during songs at concerts or music shows
Fan Sign Event
Short for 팬 사인회 — an event where fans meet their idols and get signatures
Fancam
A fan-recorded video focused on a single idol member during a performance
Fandom
The collective fan community of a K-pop group or artist
Fanning / Being a Superfan
The act of being a devoted fan — collecting merch, following activities, supporting
Favorite Idol / Bias
The idol a fan likes the most within a group
Group
A K-pop idol group
Hi-touch
A fan event where fans give a high-five to each group member in a line
I love you
Informal expression of love, frequently used by idols to fans
Idol
A K-pop performer trained and debuted by an entertainment agency
Idol Obsessive
Slang for someone extremely dedicated to following an idol's every move
Inkigayo
A popular weekly K-pop music show broadcast on SBS; one of the Big 3 music shows
Last / Final
Used to refer to the last song, performance, or moment
Lightstick
An official fan merchandise light device waved at concerts; unique to each group
Maknae
The youngest member of a K-pop group; often treated with affection by older members
Mass Attack
Coordinated fan streaming, voting, or purchasing campaign to help an artist chart
Member
A member of a K-pop group
Music Bank
Popular abbreviation of 뮤직뱅크 — one of the major weekly K-pop music shows
Music Show
Abbreviation of 음악 방송; weekly live broadcast shows where idols perform
Music Show
A weekly broadcast where K-pop groups perform; major shows include Inkigayo, Music Bank
Music Video
A visual accompaniment to a K-pop song, often highly produced
Older Brother (boy to boy)
Term used by boys/men to address older males; used between male group members
Older Brother (girl to boy)
Term used by girls to address older males; commonly used by female fans about male idols
Older Sister
Term used by girls to address older women; also used between female idols
Older Sister (boy to girl)
Term used by boys/men to address older females; used by male fans about female idols
Original Soundtrack
Songs recorded for Korean dramas or films; popular promotional outlet for idols
Photocard
A small trading card included in K-pop album packages featuring member photos
Point Choreography
The signature or highlight move of a dance; the iconic pose or step
Pre-release
A song released before the official full comeback to build anticipation
Repackage Album
A re-released version of a prior album with additional new tracks and new concept
Sasaeng
An obsessive fan who stalks or invades idols' privacy; considered a serious problem
Self-Produced Content
Short for 자체 콘텐츠 — content created and directed by the artists themselves
Sharp Group Choreography
Lit. "knife group dance" — perfectly synchronized group choreography
Show Champion
A weekly K-pop music show on MBC Music channel, known for fair voting
Singer
A musical performer; a broader term than 아이돌
Song
A musical piece; can also refer to singing in general
Special Benefit
Exclusive items or events that come with album purchases at specific stores
Stage
Performance stage; also refers to any performance itself
Successful Fan
A fan who has successfully met their favorite idol in person
Teaser
A short preview image or video released before a full music video or album
Title Track
The main promotional song from an album, also called the lead single
Trainee
A person undergoing intensive training at an entertainment agency before debut
True Self / Main Account
One's authentic personality or main account on social media, as opposed to a fan account
World / Universe / Lore
The narrative universe or mythology of a K-pop group's concept
Year-end
Year-end period; known in K-pop for award shows including MMA, MAMA, GDA