Discussing K-Pop in Korean

Sharing your passion for K-Pop with Korean speakers requires specific vocabulary and expressions. This guide provides essential phrases for discussing your favorite artists, songs, and aspects of K-Pop culture in Korean. Learn how to talk about groups, music, fandom, and express your opinions naturally.

Core Expression

This is the fundamental term you need to know.

• Expression: 케이팝 (or K팝)
  Pronunciation: Keipap
  Meaning: K-Pop (Korean Pop Music)

Basic K-Pop Vocabulary

Here are some fundamental words used when discussing K-Pop.

• Expression: 가수
  Pronunciation: gasu
  Meaning: singer
• Expression: 아이돌
  Pronunciation: aidol
  Meaning: idol
• Expression: 그룹
  Pronunciation: geurup
  Meaning: group
• Expression: 멤버
  Pronunciation: membeo
  Meaning: member
• Expression: 노래
  Pronunciation: norae
  Meaning: song
• Expression: 앨범
  Pronunciation: aelbeom
  Meaning: album
• Expression: 팬
  Pronunciation: paen
  Meaning: fan
• Expression: 팬덤
  Pronunciation: paendeom
  Meaning: fandom
• Expression: 데뷔
  Pronunciation: debwi
  Meaning: debut
• Expression: 컴백
  Pronunciation: keombaek
  Meaning: comeback
• Expression: 소속사
  Pronunciation: sosoksa
  Meaning: agency/entertainment company
• Expression: 뮤직비디오 (뮤비)
  Pronunciation: myujikbidio (myubi)
  Meaning: music video (MV)

Talking About Artists and Groups

Use these phrases to discuss specific K-Pop acts.

• Expression: 어떤 케이팝 그룹 좋아해요?
  Pronunciation: eotteon keipap geurup joahaeyo?
  Meaning: Which K-Pop group do you like?
• Expression: 저는 [그룹 이름] 팬이에요.
  Pronunciation: jeoneun [Group Name] paenieyo.
  Meaning: I’m a fan of [Group Name].
• Expression: 최애 그룹이 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: choeae geurubi mwoyeyo?
  Meaning: Who is your favorite group? (Choeae = most favorite/bias)
• Expression: 최애 멤버는 누구예요?
  Pronunciation: choeae membeoneun nuguyeyo?
  Meaning: Who is your favorite member (bias)?
• Expression: [그룹 이름]은 멤버가 몇 명이에요?
  Pronunciation: [Group Name]eun membeoga myeot myeongieyo?
  Meaning: How many members does [Group Name] have?
• Expression: [아티스트 이름] 솔로 앨범 나왔어요.
  Pronunciation: [Artist Name] sollo aelbeom nawasseoyo.
  Meaning: [Artist Name]’s solo album came out.
• Expression: 그 그룹은 춤을 정말 잘 춰요.
  Pronunciation: geu geurubeun chumeul jeongmal jal chwoyo.
  Meaning: That group dances really well.
• Expression: 그들은 라이브 공연을 잘해요.
  Pronunciation: geudeureun raibeu gongyeoneul jalhaeyo.
  Meaning: They perform well live.
• Expression: [그룹 이름] 신곡 들어봤어요?
  Pronunciation: [Group Name] singok deureobwasseoyo?
  Meaning: Have you heard [Group Name]’s new song?
• Expression: 언제 데뷔했어요?
  Pronunciation: eonje debwihaesseoyo?
  Meaning: When did they debut?
• Expression: 다음 컴백이 기대돼요.
  Pronunciation: daeum keombaegi gidae dwaeyo.
  Meaning: I’m looking forward to their next comeback.
• Expression: 그 그룹 콘서트 가봤어요?
  Pronunciation: geu geurup konseoteu gabwasseoyo?
  Meaning: Have you been to that group’s concert?

Discussing Songs and Music

Here’s how to talk about the music itself.

• Expression: 이 노래 정말 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: i norae jeongmal joayo.
  Meaning: I really like this song.
• Expression: 가장 좋아하는 노래가 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: gajang joahaneun noraega mwoyeyo?
  Meaning: What is your favorite song?
• Expression: 멜로디가 중독성 있어요.
  Pronunciation: mellodiga jungdokseong isseoyo.
  Meaning: The melody is catchy/addictive.
• Expression: 가사가 마음에 들어요.
  Pronunciation: gasaga maeume deureoyo.
  Meaning: I like the lyrics.
• Expression: 이 노래는 신나요.
  Pronunciation: i noraeneun sinnayo.
  Meaning: This song is exciting/upbeat.
• Expression: 이 노래는 감성적이에요.
  Pronunciation: i noraeneun gamseongjeogieyo.
  Meaning: This song is emotional.
• Expression: 뮤직비디오 봤어요?
  Pronunciation: myujikbidio bwasseoyo?
  Meaning: Did you see the music video?
• Expression: 안무가 멋있어요.
  Pronunciation: anmuga meosisseoyo.
  Meaning: The choreography is cool.
• Expression: 이 앨범의 콘셉트가 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: i aelbeomui konsepteuga joayo.
  Meaning: I like the concept of this album.
• Expression: 타이틀 곡이 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: taiteul gogi mwoyeyo?
  Meaning: What is the title track?
• Expression: 수록곡들도 다 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: surok gokdeuldo da joayo.
  Meaning: The B-side tracks are all good too.
• Expression: 이 노래 들으면 기분이 좋아져요.
  Pronunciation: i norae deureumyeon gibuni joajyeoyo.
  Meaning: Listening to this song makes me feel good.

Expressing Opinions and Feelings

Share your thoughts and emotions about K-Pop.

• Expression: 정말 대단해요!
  Pronunciation: jeongmal daedanhaeyo!
  Meaning: It’s really amazing!
• Expression: 너무 멋있어요!
  Pronunciation: neomu meosisseoyo!
  Meaning: It’s so cool! / They are so cool!
• Expression: 완전 제 스타일이에요.
  Pronunciation: wanjeon je seutairieyo.
  Meaning: It’s totally my style.
• Expression: 제 취향은 아니에요.
  Pronunciation: je chwihyangeun anieyo.
  Meaning: It’s not my taste.
• Expression: [그룹 이름]의 음악을 존경해요.
  Pronunciation: [Group Name]ui eumageul jonkyeonghaeyo.
  Meaning: I respect [Group Name]’s music.
• Expression: 그들의 열정이 느껴져요.
  Pronunciation: geudeurui yeoljeongi neukkyeojyeoyo.
  Meaning: I can feel their passion.
• Expression: 퍼포먼스가 인상적이었어요.
  Pronunciation: peopomeonseuga insangjeogieosseoyo.
  Meaning: The performance was impressive.
• Expression: 이 그룹은 정말 재능이 많아요.
  Pronunciation: i geurubeun jeongmal jaeneungi manayo.
  Meaning: This group is really talented.
• Expression: 노래 실력이 뛰어나요.
  Pronunciation: norae sillyeogi ttwieonayo.
  Meaning: Their singing ability is outstanding.
• Expression: 비주얼이 장난 아니에요.
  Pronunciation: bijyueori jangnan anieyo.
  Meaning: Their visuals are no joke (amazing).
• Expression: 콘서트에 꼭 가고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: konseoteue kkok gago sipeoyo.
  Meaning: I really want to go to their concert.
• Expression: 팬이 된 지 얼마 안 됐어요.
  Pronunciation: paeni doen ji eolma an dwaesseoyo.
  Meaning: It hasn’t been long since I became a fan.

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding these aspects enhances your K-Pop discussions.

• Fandom Culture (팬덤 문화 – paendeom munhwa): Korean fandoms are highly organized and dedicated. They often participate in streaming parties, bulk album purchases, voting for music shows, and organizing fan projects like birthday ads for idols. Understanding the term 팬덤 (paendeom) is key.
• Lightsticks (응원봉 – eungwonbong): Each major K-Pop group has an official lightstick with a unique design and color(s). Fans bring these to concerts, creating an “ocean” of light. They often sync via Bluetooth to create coordinated light effects during performances.
• Fan Chants (응원법 – eungwonbeop): These are specific words or phrases fans chant during performances at designated times, often including members’ names or parts of the lyrics. Learning the 응원법 (eungwonbeop) is a way fans show support and unity.
• Music Shows (음악 방송 – eumak bangsong): K-Pop groups promote their new songs on weekly music shows like Inkigayo, Music Bank, M Countdown, etc. Winning first place on these shows is a significant achievement, heavily influenced by digital sales, album sales, streaming, and fan votes.
• Trainee System (연습생 시스템 – yeonseupsaeng siseutem): Aspiring idols often spend years as trainees (연습생 – yeonseupsaeng) in entertainment companies, receiving intense training in singing, dancing, rapping, and sometimes languages before debuting. This rigorous system is a defining characteristic of the K-Pop industry.

Real Conversation Example

Here’s a sample conversation about K-Pop.

Situation: Two friends are chatting about their musical interests.
Roles:
* A: K-Pop Enthusiast
* B: Curious Friend

• Expression: A: 요즘 어떤 음악 들어요?
  Pronunciation: yojeum eotteon eumak deureoyo?
  Meaning: What kind of music are you listening to these days?
• Expression: B: 저는 주로 팝송 듣는데, 민지 씨는요?
  Pronunciation: jeoneun juro papsong deutneunde, Minji ssineunyo?
  Meaning: I mainly listen to pop songs, how about you, Minji?
• Expression: A: 저는 케이팝 좋아해요! 특히 BTS 팬이에요.
  Pronunciation: jeoneun keipap joahaeyo! teuki BTS paenieyo.
  Meaning: I like K-Pop! I’m especially a fan of BTS.
• Expression: B: 아, BTS! 저도 노래 몇 곡 알아요. 최애 멤버는 누구예요?
  Pronunciation: a, BTS! jeodo norae myeot gok arayo. choeae membeoneun nuguyeyo?
  Meaning: Ah, BTS! I know a few of their songs too. Who is your favorite member (bias)?
• Expression: A: 저는 정국이요! 목소리도 좋고 춤도 잘 춰요. 혹시 다른 케이팝 그룹도 알아요?
  Pronunciation: jeoneun Jeonggugiyo! moksorido joko chumdo jal chwoyo. hoksi dareun keipap geurupdo arayo?
  Meaning: I like Jungkook! His voice is good and he dances well. Do you happen to know any other K-Pop groups?
• Expression: B: 음… 블랙핑크? 그 그룹 뮤직비디오는 몇 번 봤어요. 정말 멋있더라고요.
  Pronunciation: eum… Beullaekpingkeu? geu geurup myujikbidioneun myeot beon bwasseoyo. jeongmal meositdeoragoyo.
  Meaning: Hmm… Blackpink? I’ve seen their music videos a few times. They were really cool.
• Expression: A: 맞아요! 블랙핑크도 퍼포먼스가 대단하죠. 이번에 나온 신곡 들어봤어요? 멜로디가 중독성 있어요.
  Pronunciation: majayo! Beullaekpingkeudo peopomeonseuga daedanhajyo. ibeone naon singok deureobwasseoyo? mellodiga jungdokseong isseoyo.
  Meaning: That’s right! Blackpink’s performances are amazing too. Have you heard their new song that just came out? The melody is catchy.
• Expression: B: 아니요, 아직 못 들어봤어요. 한번 들어봐야겠네요!
  Pronunciation: aniyo, ajik mot deureobwasseoyo. hanbeon deureobwayagenneyo!
  Meaning: No, I haven’t heard it yet. I should give it a listen!

Practice Tips

Now you have a great set of phrases to discuss K-Pop~! Try using them when you talk with Korean friends or other fans. Watch K-Pop interviews or variety shows and listen for these expressions. You can even try writing comments on music videos or fan communities using what you’ve learned. The more you practice, the more natural it will become! Fighting! (화이팅! – hwaiting!)