General K-pop trivia and fun facts

Source Music is the HYBE sublabel that manages LE SSERAFIM. It previously managed GFRIEND.

Jungkook was scouted by 7 agencies after his Big Hit audition

IU chose her stage name because I and You become one through music

Wonyoung became the youngest member to win Produce 48 at age 14

G-Dragon has been a trainee since age 8 and appeared in a music video at age 5

Armageddon features the hit single Supernova which went viral on TikTok

FL Studio is widely mentioned by K-pop producers; Suga of BTS famously started producing on FL Studio as a teenager.

SM Entertainment under Lee Soo-man pioneered the highly polished 'total package' production system in the early 2000s.

H.O.T. (High-five Of Teenagers) debuted in 1996 under SM Entertainment and is considered one of the pioneering acts of the K-pop idol wave. They are often called the 'gods of K-pop.'

Wanna One was formed through Produce 101 Season 2 (2017), which featured male trainees from various agencies. The group had 11 members and was active from 2017 to 2019.

Girls' Generation was formed internally by SM Entertainment through their standard trainee system. Lee Soo-man and SM management selected the members over years of training, without a public survival show format.

Bunnies is the fan name for NewJeans fans, fitting the playful and cute rabbit imagery associated with the group.

Soobin is the leader and tallest member of TXT

San is known for his intense stage presence and facial expressions

SHINee's Jonghyun was a trained classical pianist in addition to being a celebrated vocalist and songwriter.

G-Dragon shaved his head during a BIGBANG concert as a bold artistic statement, shocking fans worldwide.

Jackson Wang speaks Cantonese (native), Mandarin, English, Korean, and some Japanese and French -- one of K-pop's most multilingual idols.

Rosé (Park Chaeyoung) was born in New Zealand and grew up in Australia, giving her a distinctive accent in English.

EXO performed at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics closing ceremony, representing Korean culture on the global Olympic stage.

Suho (EXO) holds a degree in Korean Language and Literature from Korea National University of Arts, balancing academics and stardom.

Japanese debuts are major milestones for K-pop groups -- it involves releasing Japanese-language versions of songs or original Japanese tracks under a Japanese label.

Japanese versions are produced to provide localized content for Japanese fans, fitting the Japanese market's traditional preference for Japanese-language music.

In K-pop, an 'idol' (아이돌, aaidol) refers to a performer who was systematically trained by an entertainment company from a young age and manages their public persona according to industry standards.

In K-pop, a 'comeback' refers to any new music release. Unlike Western usage where it implies a long absence, K-pop groups can have multiple comebacks per year as they release new EPs or albums.

JYP Entertainment manages both TWICE (debuted 2015) and Stray Kids (debuted 2018), as well as other acts like ITZY, NMIXX, and DAY6.

HYBE acquired Pledis Entertainment in May 2020, making SEVENTEEN (Pledis's biggest act) part of the HYBE family of labels.

LE SSERAFIM is under Source Music, a HYBE subsidiary that was acquired in 2019. Source Music was previously known for managing girl group G-Friend.

BELIFT LAB was established in 2019 as a joint venture between HYBE and CJ ENM specifically to manage the group that would be formed through the I-LAND survival show -- ENHYPEN.

SM Entertainment manages EXO, SHINee, NCT, Red Velvet, aespa, and classic groups like Girls' Generation, H.O.T., S.E.S., BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, and f(x).

Cube Entertainment manages (G)I-DLE (debuted 2018) and BTOB (debuted 2012), along with other artists like HyunA and Dawn.

NewJeans is under ADOR (All Doors One Room), a HYBE sub-label headed by creative director Min Hee-jin. ADOR was specifically created to develop NewJeans' unique aesthetic.

'Lines' in K-pop refer to age groupings -- 'hyung line' (older brothers) and 'maknae line' (youngest members) -- creating fun group dynamic nicknames.

Every K-pop group officially designates a 'visual' -- the member deemed most conventionally attractive -- a position that fans debate passionately and endlessly.

Jin's distinctive 'windshield wiper' laugh -- a high-pitched giggle -- became one of the most beloved and memed K-pop sounds.

'Maknae on top' refers to the youngest member (maknae) surprisingly dominating -- like Jungkook being BTS's most-streamed member despite being youngest.

'Chicken Noodle Soup' with Becky G was a viral sensation in 2019, featuring j-hope alongside the popular Latina-American artist.

BLACKPINK performed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar, marking a major milestone for K-pop on the global sports stage.

'Bon Voyage' is BTS's travel documentary series where members go on unscripted trips together -- beloved by ARMY for candid moments.

K-pop trainees undergo rigorous training in singing, dancing, rapping, acting, foreign languages (especially Japanese and English), and media presentation skills, often for several years before debut.

Jihyo joined JYP Entertainment as a trainee at age 8 in 2005 and trained for approximately 10 years before debuting with TWICE in 2015, making her training period one of the longest on record.

Maknae (막내) is the Korean term for the youngest member of a group. The maknae often receives special treatment but is also expected to show respect to older members.

The Visual is the K-pop term for the member considered the most conventionally attractive by the agency. Many groups have a designated visual, though all members are considered beautiful.

In K-pop, a 'comeback' refers to any new music release by an active artist or group, even if only weeks have passed since their last release. The term differs from the Western usage where it typically implies a return after a long absence.

Bang Chan is the leader of the producing unit 3RACHA within Stray Kids, and fans refer to him in the context of his role as 3RACHA's central figure.

Season's Greetings packages typically include a new year calendar, photo book, and exclusive cards -- a beloved annual K-pop merchandise tradition.

SUGA's solo project name Agust D is derived from his hometown DT Suga (Daegu Town + Suga reversed). He released mixtapes in 2016 and 2020, and his first full album D-DAY in 2023.

Formula of Love sold over 700,000 copies on its first day

The ReVe Festival Finale includes the hit Psycho

Major K-pop comebacks typically take 6-18 months of preparation including song production, choreography, and promotional content.

Songwriting camps (pioneered by SM) bring dozens of global writers together for weeks to produce large batches of songs.

BTS members, especially RM, Suga, j-hope, and Jungkook, regularly co-write and produce tracks on their albums.

'Noise music' in K-pop fandom refers to songs that seem chaotic at first listen but become fan favorites -- like NCT's 'Boss' or 'Cherry Bomb'.

TOMBOY is by (G)I-DLE, not BLACKPINK

Psycho is by Red Velvet

Hype Boy is by NewJeans

4 Walls is by f(x), Red Velvet SM labelmates

O.O is by NMIXX, ITZY JYP labelmates

FEARLESS is by LE SSERAFIM

Eleven is IVE debut song

Dumhdurum is by Apink

Baekhyun solo album Delight sold over 1 million copies

Major K-pop releases often come in 2-8 versions with different covers and photo cards, encouraging multiple purchases -- a controversial but effective strategy.

The Japanese physical music market has a distinct culture of CD singles -- K-pop groups adapt by releasing multiple version CD singles specifically for Japan.

The Oricon Chart is Japan's dominant music chart system, and charting on Oricon is a major achievement for K-pop groups in Japan.

All major K-pop companies have dedicated Japan subsidiaries with full teams managing local releases, promotions, and fan events.

'Stan' is derived from Eminem's 2000 song Stan about an obsessive fan. In K-pop culture, it means to be a dedicated fan of a group or artist.

Fanchants are organized fan chants where the crowd calls out each member's name and group-specific phrases at precise moments in a song, requiring practice and coordination. They are a beloved part of K-pop concert culture.

Daesang (대상) means 'Grand Prize' and is the highest honor at Korean music awards shows. Winning a Daesang (Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year) is the ultimate achievement for a K-pop act.

BTS collaborated with Coldplay on 'My Universe' (2021), a feel-good anthem that topped charts in multiple countries.

BLACKPINK and Lady Gaga collaborated on 'Sour Candy' from Gaga's 'Chromatica' album (2020), a major K-pop/pop crossover.

Halsey featured on BTS's 'Boy With Luv' -- but the Halsey 'IDOL' remix is also notable, with all members credited.

BTS's 'Dynamite' sparked a massive TikTok dance challenge and helped introduce millions of new fans to K-pop during the pandemic.

BLACKPINK's 'How You Like That' generated a massive TikTok challenge centered on the iconic finger gesture from the chorus.

IVE's 'After LIKE' inspired numerous TikTok challenges and dance cover videos with its infectious hook and sharp choreography.

K-pop's 'point choreography' tradition -- where one move defines a song -- perfectly matches TikTok's short-form format.

A Perfect All-Kill (PAK) is achieved when a song simultaneously tops all major Korean music chart platforms (Melon, Genie, Bugs, FLO, and VIBE). It is one of the most coveted achievements in K-pop.

The Gaon Chart (now called the Circle Chart) is South Korea's national music chart, officially launched in 2010. It tracks digital downloads, streaming, and physical sales, and is considered the most authoritative measure of K-pop popularity.

Fansigns are events where selected fans (usually winners of album purchase lotteries) can meet their favorite K-pop idols, have albums signed, and briefly chat. They are one of the most coveted K-pop fan experiences.

Soyeon is the main producer and songwriter for (G)I-DLE

Jin famously declared himself 'World Wide Handsome' at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, creating a beloved and enduring fan meme.

IU is often called a 'one-person entertainment company' for her exceptional songwriting, singing, acting, and variety talents.

Woozi (Lee Jihoon) is called 'God Woozi' by Carats for his phenomenal songwriting and production ability, being the main composer for SEVENTEEN.

Random photocards are inserted into albums without the buyer knowing which member's card they'll get -- driving collection and trading culture.

Multiple album versions with different concept photos, books, and photocard sets are a sales strategy that fans both enjoy and debate.

K-pop releases are typically: Full Album (10+ tracks), Mini Album/EP (4-7 tracks), Single Album (1-3 tracks) -- each with different photo book contents.

Hanteo Chart tracks real-time physical album sales and is used by fans to boost first-week sales records -- a major competitive metric.

Unboxing videos are a massive K-pop YouTube subgenre -- fans open albums on camera, revealing photocards and reacting with excitement or disappointment.

PSY's 'Gangnam Style' made global headlines as the first video to hit 1 billion YouTube views in December 2012.

BTS topped the UK Albums Chart with 'Map of the Soul: 7' in 2020, a first for a K-pop act in the UK.

TWICE became the first K-pop girl group to sell over 1 million copies of a single album in South Korea with 'Formula of Love' in 2021.

EXO-K promoted in South Korea while EXO-M promoted in China, both debuting on April 8, 2012 with the song MAMA.

J-Hope released his debut solo mixtape Hope World in 2018, which charted on the Billboard 200 at number 38, the highest charting by a K-pop solo at the time.

Jimin released his first solo album FACE on March 24, 2023, with the lead single Set Me Free Pt. 2. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.

Jungkook released his debut solo album Golden on November 3, 2023. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, with multiple singles charting worldwide.

Winning three consecutive weeks on a music show is called a 'triple crown' -- a major achievement that demonstrates sustained chart dominance.

The Gaon Chart is the South Korean national chart system, equivalent to the US Billboard chart.

Music show winners are determined by a combination of digital sales, physical sales, broadcast score, fan votes, and social media metrics.

If a previous song re-enters the charts strongly (e.g., on a anniversary or after a viral moment), groups can win music shows with older songs.

Davichi contributed multiple OSTs for Descendants of the Sun, including the fan-favorite ballad. The drama's soundtrack was a massive commercial success.

Through the Night (Boo) by IU was not an OST but a standalone song from her 2017 album Palette. However, her actual OSTs for dramas like Hotel Del Luna have also been mega-hits.

Crush performed the iconic OST 'Beautiful' for Goblin (도깨비), which became one of the best-selling drama soundtracks ever. The song topped multiple Korean charts.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (이상한 변호사 우영우) had a massive soundtrack success. The theme song and OSTs accumulated tens of millions of streams, boosting both the drama and its music.

V performed Even If I Die, It's You (죽어도 너야) as an OST for Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016), his first acting role. The song was a hit and showcased his vocal abilities.

Crash Landing on You (사랑의 불시착) became a massive international hit on Netflix in 2019-2020. Its OSTs, including IU's Sondia, accumulated massive streams globally.

IU is widely known as the OST Queen for her numerous hit drama soundtracks over the years, including contributions to Producer, My Ahjussi (My Mister), Hotel Del Luna, and others.

It's Okay to Not Be Okay (사이코지만 괜찮아) had a critically acclaimed OST featuring songs from various artists. The drama won multiple awards and was a Netflix global hit.

Girls' Generation debuted on August 5, 2007 under SM Entertainment with the single Into the New World.

Gee was released in January 2009 and broke records by staying at number one on Korean music charts for nine consecutive weeks.

Into the New World has frequently been sung at protests and social movement rallies in South Korea, becoming an unofficial anthem of change and hope.

I Got a Boy, released in January 2013, was praised for its genre-blending structure and won Video of the Year at the YouTube Music Awards.

FOREVER 1 was released on August 5, 2022 to commemorate Girls' Generation's 15th debut anniversary, reuniting all 8 remaining members.

Genie's choreography features a distinctive seated leg movement often called the 'leg dance' or the 'Genie dance,' which became iconic and widely imitated.

5-STAR debuted at number one on the Billboard 200

Wings was BTS first album to enter the Billboard 200

SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN sold over 5 million copies

Obsession featured an X-EXO concept with alter ego versions

FREEFALL debuted at number one on the Billboard 200

DARK BLOOD is ENHYPEN darkest concept album

Sticker was controversial for its experimental sound but became a massive hit

THE WORLD EP.2 includes the hit single BOUNCY

Breath of Love was GOT7 last album before leaving JYP

MADE was released as individual singles over a year before the full album

SHINee debuted May 2008, EXO April 2012, BTS June 2013, GOT7 January 2014.

Stray Kids March 2018, ATEEZ October 2018, TXT March 2019, ITZY February 2019 - ITZY actually debuted before TXT!

IVE December 2021, NMIXX February 2022, LE SSERAFIM May 2022, NewJeans August 2022.

Red Velvet August 2014, TWICE October 2015, BLACKPINK August 2016, aespa November 2020.

Teddy Park has been BLACKPINK's primary producer since their debut, creating their signature YG sound.

S.E.S. debuted in 1997 under SM Entertainment and is one of the most iconic 1st generation girl groups. Along with FinKL and Baby V.O.X, they defined 1st gen female K-pop.

BLACKPINK is a 3rd generation K-pop group, debuting in August 2016. They are often considered the group that most dramatically expanded the global reach of 3rd gen K-pop girl groups.

BIGBANG, debuting in 2006, are 2nd generation K-pop pioneers who helped pave the way for global K-pop acceptance. G-Dragon in particular became one of K-pop's most internationally recognized figures.

TXT debuted in March 2019 under Big Hit Music (HYBE) and is classified as 4th generation. They were HYBE's first new act after BTS and quickly became one of the most globally popular 4th gen boy groups.

ARMY stands for 'Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth', and was officially named on July 9, 2013, a year before BTS's first anniversary.

Hongjoong writes and produces most of ATEEZ music

BTS has broken multiple consecutive-win records on Korean music shows, particularly with 'Butter' in 2021.

Lisa became a Celine House Ambassador in July 2021, making her the first K-pop idol to serve as a house ambassador for the French fashion brand.

G-Dragon has had multiple high-profile collaborations with Adidas, including the limited-edition G-Dragon x Adidas Originals STAN SMITH series, which became one of the most coveted sneakers in Korea.

Jisoo became a Dior Global Ambassador in 2021, known as one of the most prominent K-pop x luxury fashion partnerships. She has appeared in numerous Dior campaigns.

Rosé became a global ambassador for both Saint Laurent fashion and Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, one of the most comprehensive K-pop and luxury brand partnerships.

Kai (Kim Jong-in) became a Gucci Global Ambassador in 2019, one of the first K-pop male idols to receive a major luxury fashion house ambassadorship. His collaboration led to several iconic fashion moments.

TVXQ (Tohoshinki) achieved unprecedented success in Japan, becoming one of the highest-selling foreign acts in Japanese history.

Tohoshinki (東方神起) is TVXQ's Japanese name, and they became one of the most successful foreign acts in Japan's music history.

BTS's Japan tours have set records for foreign acts in terms of attendance and revenue, particularly their 'Love Yourself' and 'Map of the Soul' tours.

K-pop lightsticks are official branded glowing devices sold by groups for fans to use at concerts. Each group has a unique lightstick design, and modern ones can connect via Bluetooth to sync colors with the concert lighting.

Crack videos are beloved fan creations editing together the funniest, most chaotic idol moments into absurdist compilations -- a K-pop YouTube tradition.

Rumors and speculation about potential cross-label collaborations regularly excite K-pop fans, though most remain unofficial.

BTS performed at the 2017 and 2019 American Music Awards, representing K-pop's growing presence in mainstream Western award shows.

TWICE's 'TT' hand gesture -- mimicking a crying face -- became one of 2016's most viral K-pop challenges.

SM Entertainment's founder Lee Soo-man is credited with formalizing the modern K-pop trainee system in the mid-1990s with H.O.T., creating a template that the entire K-pop industry now follows.

Jennie trained at YG for almost 6 years before debuting

Felix almost got eliminated during Stray Kids survival show

BoA became a massive star in Japan from 2002, paving the way for K-pop's Japan expansion before Hallyu became mainstream.

BLACKPINK headlined Coachella in 2019 and 2023, becoming the first K-pop act -- and the first female Asian act -- to headline the festival.

No Korean artist has won a Grammy Award in a competitive category as of 2024. Psy never won a Grammy.

While Super Junior has won MTV EMA awards, the first Korean acts to receive recognition varied. BTS were the first K-pop group to win an MTV EMA.

BTS performed at the Citi Field stadium in 2018, and other groups followed. The specific MSG milestone was achieved by different artists across years.

NCT U debuted on April 9, 2016, with The 7th Sense and Without You, followed by NCT 127 in July and NCT Dream in August of the same year.

SEVENTEEN's three official units are the Hip-Hop Unit (S.Coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon), Vocal Unit (Jeonghan, Joshua, Woozi, DK, Seungkwan), and Performance Unit (Hoshi, Jun, The8, Dino).

EXO-CBX (Chen-Baek-Xi) debuted as EXO's first official sub-unit in October 2016. Their name comes from the first letters of Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin.

Weekly music show wins are called '1st place' wins or 'Triple Crown'. A 'Daesang' (대상) is a Grand Prize at major awards ceremonies like MAMAs or Melon Music Awards.

M Countdown (엠카운트다운) is a weekly music show on Mnet, airing Thursdays, and is notable for being the first to feature international fan voting.

Sky Castle's iconic piece was Segno (세뇨) by Lee Seo-yeon, a haunting piano piece that became one of the most recognizable drama themes in recent Korean history.

Stay with Me was performed by EXO's Chanyeol and singer Punch for the drama Goblin. It became one of the best-selling K-drama OSTs ever, with millions of streams.

Self-producing idols like G-Dragon, RM, and Suga are celebrated for their artistic input beyond just performing.

BTS (2013), EXO (2012), and BLACKPINK (2016) are all 3rd generation K-pop acts. The 3rd gen era (roughly 2012-2019) saw K-pop achieve true global dominance.

The 4th generation of K-pop is generally considered to have started around 2018-2019, with groups like ATEEZ (2018), TXT (2019), ITZY (2019), and Stray Kids (2018) leading the wave.

ATEEZ (2018), aespa (2020), and IVE (2021) are key 4th generation acts. The 4th gen is defined by stronger global fanbases, self-producing artists, and innovative concepts.

BLINK is the official fandom name for BLACKPINK fans, combining 'Black' and 'Pink' from the group's name.

ONCE is TWICE's official fandom name -- reflecting the motto 'Love us once, we'll love you twice.'

EXO-L is EXO's official fandom name -- the 'L' stands for 'Love' and sits between 'EXO-K' and 'EXO-M' alphabetically.

STAY is the official fandom name for Stray Kids fans, with the plural 'STAYS' also commonly used.

CARAT is SEVENTEEN's official fandom name -- diamonds are measured in carats, and SEVENTEEN says their fans are their precious gems.

Neverland is the official fandom name for (G)I-DLE fans, inspired by the fantastical world theme in some of the group's concepts.

DIVE is the official fandom name for IVE fans, as IVE + DIVE implies a deep dive into the fandom together.

FEARNOT is the official fandom name for LE SSERAFIM fans, referencing the group's name which is an anagram of 'I'M FEARLESS'.

Hoshi created SEVENTEEN famous synchronized choreographies

Sunghoon was a competitive figure skater before becoming an idol

Jackson is also a successful solo artist in China

Super Junior has had 13 main members, making them one of the largest K-pop groups ever. The group has had various sub-units and additional associates.

RM is a passionate art enthusiast who regularly visits art museums worldwide, has contributed to Korean art awareness, and collects contemporary art.

Jennie has been a Chanel Global Ambassador since 2017, earning her the nickname 'Human Chanel' for seamlessly incorporating the brand into her personal style.

V (Kim Taehyung) became a Louis Vuitton House Ambassador in July 2021, following all 7 BTS members being announced as Louis Vuitton brand ambassadors collectively.

HYBE's Weverse platform became a crucial tool for BTS to connect with global fans, offering exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and fan interactions that helped them build their massive following.

BTS became the global brand ambassadors for MCM in 2018, appearing in campaigns and helping to bring attention to the German luxury brand to new global audiences.

2021 is widely seen as the inflection point when major luxury fashion houses (Dior, Chanel, Celine, Louis Vuitton, etc.) simultaneously began competing for K-pop idol ambassadors, recognizing their enormous global marketing impact.

Korean-Japanese historical tensions have occasionally impacted K-pop idols in Japan, with some groups facing protests or reduced promotion due to political sentiments.

A 'bias' in K-pop refers to your personal favorite member of a group. Having a 'bias wrecker' means another member keeps threatening to take over as your favorite.

Saesang (사생) refers to a type of obsessive fan who invades the privacy of idols, following them, breaking into hotels, or stalking. The term is considered negative and is opposed by both idols and the broader fanbase.

OT (One True) followed by the member count means a fan loves all members equally. OT7 means loving all 7 BTS members equally, as opposed to having a bias. Similar terms exist for other groups (OT9 for TWICE, etc.).

Weverse is HYBE's official global artist-fan community platform, launched in 2019. Artists including BTS, SEVENTEEN, ENHYPEN, and others use it to communicate with fans through posts and live streams.

Jungkook has a running reputation for unexpectedly appearing in other artists' content, photos, or backgrounds -- a beloved fan meme.

'Eat, sleep, dance' is a lighthearted joke about how idol life is often described -- K-pop groups use it to comedically summarize their schedules.

The BTS Universe (BU) has become so complex that fans joke it's more complicated than the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The attempts of non-Chinese K-pop idols to speak Mandarin for Chinese fans often produce charming, beloved, occasionally chaotic content.

Calling an idol 'soft' is a high compliment in fan culture -- it means they come across as gentle, lovable, and emotionally endearing.

'eight' by IU featuring Suga (BTS) became a massive hit in 2020, blending IU's indie-pop style with Suga's lyrical depth.

aespa (SM) and NMIXX (JYP) collaborating was a rare cross-company moment that excited fans of both groups.

NewJeans' 'Super Shy' hip sway went massively viral on TikTok, with fans and celebrities worldwide recreating the simple but addictive move.

The Gangnam Style horse dance was brilliantly accessible -- its simplicity allowed everyone from toddlers to politicians to recreate it.

LE SSERAFIM's 'EASY' sparked a viral challenge where people attempted the choreography while doing physical challenges like running or doing pushups.

BTS's 'Permission to Dance' was specifically designed to be simple and fan-friendly, launching a global challenge with accessible choreography.

STAYC member Yoon's various dance challenge videos went viral, helping raise the group's international profile.

'Weekly Idol' (주간 아이돌) is famous for its speed dance challenges and random dance tests that became iconic variety segments.

'Knowing Bros' features MC regulars as teachers, with celebrity guests pretending to be new transfer students in a classroom setting.

The nunchi counting game (not saying the same number as someone else) is a K-pop variety staple used to pick who performs a punishment.

'We Got Married' was a long-running MBC variety show pairing idols as pretend married couples, sparking countless fan 'ships'.

Idol Room featured 'sole-cam' segments -- dedicated camera time on individual members during dances -- a highly anticipated segment.

'BLACKPINK House' was a reality show following BLACKPINK living together and going on trips, airing in 2018.

K-pop variety show punishments vary but commonly include aegyo performances, spicy food challenges, or embarrassing physical stunts.

'NCT Life' is a web variety series featuring different NCT sub-units in various travel and challenge formats.

Pepero Day (11/11) is a fun South Korean occasion where friends exchange Pepero snacks -- K-pop idols often post cute Pepero content.

ADOR is a sublabel of HYBE founded by Min Hee-jin

Jennie is called 'Human Gucci' for her effortless high-fashion looks and her ability to make any outfit look like a runway moment.

Mingyu of SEVENTEEN is famous for his broad shoulders and tall frame, earning him various nicknames related to his physique.

BTS members nicknamed Jungkook 'Gorilla' as a term of endearment for his strong, muscular build.

Jeongyeon has been nicknamed 'Penguin' by ONCE fans for her cute waddling walk and lovable personality.

Key is known as a fashion icon and trendsetter in SHINee, earning the nickname 'Bling Bling' for his bold style choices.

Baekhyun is often called 'Sunshine' or associated with bright, happy energy -- he's part of EXO's 'Beagle Line' for the noisy, playful members.

Photocard trading communities exist on social media and apps -- fans trade duplicates of non-bias members for the member they want.

'WTS' (Want to Sell) and 'WTB' (Want to Buy) are standard abbreviations in K-pop photocard trading communities.

Fansiter masters are highly skilled photographers who invest heavily in equipment to take stunning high-quality photos of specific members at events.

Sasaeng merchandise uses private photos or information illegally obtained -- it is widely condemned in the K-pop community.

The Korean Wave (Hallyu) is generally traced to the late 1990s when Korean dramas became hits in China and Southeast Asia.

IU is consistently ranked among the top-selling solo Korean artists, with massive digital and physical sales throughout her decade-long career.

'Inkigayo' (인기가요) airs on SBS every Sunday and is one of the big three Korean music shows.

Music Bank (뮤직뱅크) airs on KBS2 every Friday and uses a point-based system to determine its weekly winner.

Show Champion (쇼챔피언) airs on MBC Every1 on Wednesdays, while Music Bank airs on Fridays.

Show! Music Core (쇼! 음악중심) airs on MBC every Saturday and is one of the main weekly K-pop music shows.

Jessica parted ways with Girls' Generation in September 2014 and has since pursued a solo music career and authored several novels.