KPop for Americans: Terms you should know

It wasn't that long ago that I would have defined Kpop as a throwaway genre akin to some weird variant of hiphop mashed up in the cringiest way with R&B. It took a full year for me to understand what was going on in that industry. I didn't realize that it was not the music that is the final "deliverable"; it's the idols themselves. This is strikingly different to Western music..the closest I can think of in terms of brand affinity would be Taylor Swift, but even she doesn't reveal as much of herself as the most introverted idol. It's invasive, but this life is clearly entered into voluntarily (the autonomy of very young people is something Westerners need to adapt to when looking at Asian cultures).

The way to Kpop understanding is through the fandom. Even if you want to get into the business or technical side of Kpop, you still need to immerse yourself into the social construct of the industry.

So in the interests of getting you acclimated, here is a non-exhaustive list of terms you should be familiar with as you start digging. Kpop terminology is sophisticated, specific, and mature as a communication medium.

I invite you to read more articles with the tag "KPop101" here to further familiarize yourselves.

Bias

In K-pop, your "bias" is your favorite member in a group. Fans often have a bias they admire the most, called an "ult" or ultimate bias.

Bias-wrecker

A "bias-wrecker" is another member in a group who often threatens to take the place of your bias as your favorite due to their charm, talent, or personality.

Debut

This is when a K-pop group or solo artist officially starts their career by releasing their first music single or album. As of the writing of this article, the most significant recent debuts have been Illit, Unis, Young Posse, and Baby Monster.

Maknae

The "maknae" is the youngest member of a K-pop group. They're often seen as the baby of the group and might get special attention for their youthful energy. (Sometimes, maknaes are hard to identify because of the Korean age system, where everybody advances in age on January 1st). A variant of the term is "evil maknae" or "maknae on top", which refers to the youngest in a group that is collectively loved and spoiled by the rest of the members. The opposite of "maknae" is "madrone", but it's rarely used in Kpop.

Sunbae and Hoobae

In the context of K-pop, the terms "sunbae" and "hoobae" refer to the seniority and hierarchy within the industry, as well as in the culture at large. They are based on the length of time an individual has been active in the industry.

"Sunbae" (선배) means "senior." In K-pop, a sunbae is someone who has debuted or been active in the industry longer than another person. Sunbaes are respected by hoobaes and often serve as mentors, offering guidance and support to their juniors. They may also be expected to set an example for their hoobaes in terms of professionalism and behavior.

"Hoobae" (후배) is a term meaning "junior." In K-pop, a hoobae is someone who is newer to the industry or has debuted more recently than someone else. Hoobaes are typically expected to show respect to their sunbaes and may seek advice or guidance from them as they navigate their careers.
These terms help define the relationships and dynamics within K-pop groups and the broader entertainment industry, highlighting the importance of respect and hierarchy in Korean culture.

Comeback

In K-pop, when an artist or group releases new music after a break, it's called a "comeback." It's a major event in the fandom, and involves a several week run on music competition shows and live appearances, release of physical media like CDs and photocards, and a slew of YouTube content.

Era

Each album or significant project a K-pop group releases can be considered an "era." Fans often talk about different eras to differentiate between styles and concepts. Usually, on YouTube, it's used by fans in compilation videos, like "Aespa's "Drama" era was pure chaos".

Choreo

Short for "choreography," this refers to the dance routines K-pop groups perform on stage and in their music videos.

Drop

This is a key moment in a song, typically where the beat intensifies, the music swells, and the song reaches a climactic point.

Anti drop
Instead of the expected build-up and intense drop in a song, an "anti drop" is a surprise moment where the music becomes softer or more subtle, creating a unique effect. Some recent songs that have antidrops as of the writing of this post: Blackpink's "Pink Venom" and Chungha's "Eenie Meenie".

Fit

"Fit", short for "outfit", refers to the clothing an artist or group wears, especially in performances or music videos.

Saesang

Saesangs, or saesang fans, are fans who take their admiration for K-pop idols to an extreme, often invading their privacy or crossing boundaries.

Netizen

A netizen is an internet user, often referring to someone who actively comments and participates in online communities, especially around K-pop.

PD-nim

PD stands for "Producer," and "nim" is a respectful Korean title. Fans use it to address producers, such as a music video producer, or TV show producer. The most recognizable PD is JYP.

Unnie

"Unnie" is the Korean term for "older sister" and is used by females to address older female friends or sisters. Fans sometimes use this to refer to female idols.

Hyung or Oppa

"Hyung" is the Korean term for "older brother" and is used by males to address older male friends or brothers. It's sometimes used by fans to refer to male idols. "Oppa" is the same, but only used by females and female fans.

Mafia

This refers to a popular party game played by K-pop groups in variety shows and live streams. It's a game of strategy and deception.

Tsundere

This is a character trait often found in K-dramas and anime. A tsundere character can appear cold or harsh initially but warms up and shows a softer side. In a Kpop context, it refers to a girl who likes to aggressively flirt with other girls in a "greasy" way.

JYP

This can refer to JYP Entertainment, one of the major K-pop entertainment companies, or its founder, J.Y. Park.

Pigeons
For a variety of reasons, Kpop idols are terrified of pigeons. Don't even try to understand it...just accept it.

Photocards

These are collectible cards featuring photos of K-pop idols that come with albums or can be purchased separately. Fans trade and collect them.

Variety Shows

These are popular TV shows where K-pop idols often appear to play games, participate in challenges, and interact with hosts, which allows fans to see different sides of their personalities.

Peppero Game

The Peppero Game is a popular Korean party game often played by K-pop idols on variety shows. Two players each bite opposite ends of a long, stick-shaped cookie (like a Peppero or Pocky stick) at the same time, trying to get as close as possible to each other without stopping. The goal is to leave the shortest length of the stick between them, creating fun and often amusing moments.

Subunits and Lines
When a subset of a group releases a song, that smaller group is called a subunit. It sometimes also refers to groups consisting of members from different groups (Super M, GoT, etc), but there is some dispute over the use of that term in that context.

A line refers to the members of the group that share a certain characteristic. Some commonly used "lines":

• J Line: The Japanese members of the group.
• Rap Line: The rappers of the group.
• Vocal Line: I think you can see where this is going...

Aegyo

"Aegyo" is a Korean term that refers to a cute, charming, or adorable way of speaking and acting, often characterized by a sweet voice, exaggerated expressions, and playful gestures. It's a style many K-pop idols use to endear themselves to fans, often incorporating cute phrases, pouts, or hand movements.

Perilla Leaf and Winter Coat Zipper Questions

The perilla leaf question involves a scenario where you are out at a meal with your significant other and a friend. You serve a dish that includes perilla leaves (a popular ingredient in Korean cuisine). The question is whether your significant other should help the friend separate the leaves from each other if they're sticking together. 

The winter coat zipper question is a scenario where your significant other and a friend are wearing winter coats. The question is whether your significant other should help zip up your friend’s coat if they're struggling.

These scenarios explore boundaries and the appropriateness of physical closeness between your significant other and a friend, leading to discussions about trust, jealousy, and what is considered acceptable behavior.