K-pop Inside Jokes and Running Gags

A preview of every question in this General K-pop quiz. Try it first. Answers and explanations are at the bottom of the page (spoilers). General K-pop · Easy · 10 questions. 10 multiple-choice questions.

1. 1. What is the famous 'Jungkook is everywhere' meme about?

   • Jungkook performing in multiple countries simultaneously
   • Jungkook unexpectedly appearing in other members' content and going viral
   • Jungkook's multiple clone robots at concerts
   • Jungkook having multiple stage personas

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

2. 2. What is the 'eat, sleep, dance' joke associated with TWICE?

   • A TWICE workout routine
   • TWICE members joking about their hectic lifestyle being reduced to basics
   • A TWICE viral video
   • A TWICE song title

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

3. 3. What does 'line' mean in K-pop group terms (e.g., 'hyung line', 'maknae line')?

   • The vocal line-up for a song
   • A grouping of members by age or role -- 'hyung line' is older members, 'maknae line' is younger
   • A dance formation
   • The members' social media grid aesthetic

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

4. 4. What is the 'Bangtan Universe' joke about?

   • BTS having their own planet
   • The increasingly complex lore of BTS's cinematic universe that fans analyze intensely
   • BTS members being aliens
   • A BTS video game

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

5. 5. What is the 'visual' position in K-pop and why is it funny to fans?

   • The most talented dancer
   • The member considered the most handsome/beautiful by the company -- often debated endlessly by fans
   • The member who does facial expressions in MVs
   • The member who appears most in promotional photos

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

6. 6. What is a K-pop 'crack video'?

   • A bootleg recording of a concert
   • A fan-edited compilation of funny or out-of-context idol moments set to humorous music
   • A censored music video
   • A controversial idol video

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

7. 7. Which BTS meme became one of the internet's most recognizable reaction images?

   • RM smashing things
   • The 'RM destroying things' meme
   • Jin's windshield wiper laugh
   • Suga sleeping anywhere

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

8. 8. What is the fan joke about idol 'Mandarin' in K-pop?

   • All idols are secretly fluent in Mandarin
   • Idols' attempts at Mandarin on Chinese fan platforms are often amusingly imperfect
   • Mandarin is always the last language idols learn
   • SM groups always release Mandarin versions

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

9. 9. What is 'maknae on top' in K-pop fan culture?

   • The youngest member of a group dominating everyone else in talent or popularity
   • A ranking system by age
   • A game where the youngest performs first
   • A choreography term for the youngest member's position

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

10. 10. What does fans calling a K-pop idol 'soft' mean?

    • The idol has weak dance skills
    • The idol is gentle, sweet, and endearing -- often used affectionately
    • The idol is unknown internationally
    • The idol releases ballads only

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

Spoilers: the right answer to each question of this General K-pop quiz, with its explanation and source when we have one.

1. 1. What is the famous 'Jungkook is everywhere' meme about?

   Answer: Jungkook unexpectedly appearing in other members' content and going viral

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

2. 2. What is the 'eat, sleep, dance' joke associated with TWICE?

   Answer: TWICE members joking about their hectic lifestyle being reduced to basics

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

3. 4. What is the 'Bangtan Universe' joke about?

   Answer: The increasingly complex lore of BTS's cinematic universe that fans analyze intensely

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

4. 5. What is the 'visual' position in K-pop and why is it funny to fans?

   Answer: The member considered the most handsome/beautiful by the company -- often debated endlessly by fans

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

5. 6. What is a K-pop 'crack video'?

   Answer: A fan-edited compilation of funny or out-of-context idol moments set to humorous music

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

6. 7. Which BTS meme became one of the internet's most recognizable reaction images?

   Answer: Jin's windshield wiper laugh

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

7. 8. What is the fan joke about idol 'Mandarin' in K-pop?

   Answer: Idols' attempts at Mandarin on Chinese fan platforms are often amusingly imperfect

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

8. 10. What does fans calling a K-pop idol 'soft' mean?

   Answer: The idol is gentle, sweet, and endearing -- often used affectionately

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