K-pop glossary

The Korean and fan words you will see around K-pop, explained in plain English.

Aegyo 애교
Aegyo means acting cute on purpose, with a sweet voice, gestures or faces.
Bias 최애
Your bias is your favorite member of a group.
Bias wrecker
A bias wrecker is a member who makes you doubt your favorite.
Comeback 컴백
A comeback is any new release and the promotions that come with it, not a return after a long break.
Fandom name 팬덤
A fandom name is the official name for a group's fans, chosen and announced by the group or agency.
Leader 리더
A group's leader speaks for the members, often gives the greetings on stage and is announced by the agency.
Light stick 응원봉
A light stick is the official glowing wand fans hold at concerts. Each group has its own design.
Maknae 막내
Maknae means the youngest member of a group. It is the Korean word for the youngest child in a family.
Oppa and unnie 오빠 · 언니
Oppa is what a girl or woman calls an older man, and unnie is what she calls an older woman.
Sunbae and hoobae 선배 · 후배
Sunbae is a senior who started earlier, and hoobae is a junior who started later.
Title track 타이틀곡
The title track is the main song of an album, the one that gets the music video and the music show stages.