K-pop is a global phenomenon today, and with the increase in the number of K-pop groups today, we are also seeing a flux in unique names for the groups. K-pop started off in 1991 with a group simply named Seo Taiji and Boys. Today 31 years later we have groups called Kep1er, LOONA, Stray Kids, Golden Child, ASTRO and so much more.
Unlike popular belief, these names aren’t chosen randomly. All these names are well thought out with significant meanings attached to them and the fandom names.
Here’s a list of top 5 K-pop group names with deep and beautiful meanings and how they connected their fandom names with the group’s name.
1. TWICE
TWICE is a nine membered girl group under JYP Entertainment. They made their debut in 2015, with the EP The Story Begins. The group consists of Nayeon, Jongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu.
TWICE has since achieved immense success both in South Korea and Internationally. As of December 2020, the group has sold over 10 million albums just in South Korea and Japan, making them the best-selling Korean girl group of all time.
They are known for their viral hooks in a song, fun to dance choreographies, and humble personalities. Fans and staff who have met them claim that cameras don’t do justice to the members’ angel-like visuals.
The group’s name – TWICE – is also considered to be one of the most meaningful names in the industry. JYP Entertainment founder, Park Jinyoung announced the group name and said that TWICE refers to making an impact in the industry twice, once through the ears and once through the eyes.
Their fandom name, ONCE, has an equally beautiful meaning. The members had revealed the meaning via social media right after their debut, “If you love us even once, we will repay your love with twice of our love.”
2. SHINee
SHINee is a South Korean boy group under SM Entertainment. The group currently consists of Onew, Key, Minho, and Taemin. They made their debut in 2008 with the EP Replay. They started gaining popularity after the release of their first studio album, The SHINee World.
The group’s name, SHINee, is a newly coined term revealed to be a combination of “shine” and the suffix “ee”, meaning, “one who receives the light.” It refers to the members being fortunate enough to receive the love of people and grow as artists. The fandom was named after their first full album, SHINee World, but fans often refer to themselves as Shawols.
3. Girls’ Generation
Girls’ Generation is recognized as one of the greatest artists K-pop has ever received. The group has also received the title of The Nation’s Girl Group. The group consists of eight members – Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun.
The group made its debut in 2007 with the single, Into The New World. Around this time girl groups weren’t really a thing nor received well by the general public. The industry was over-saturated with boy bands. The situation of the industry led to the inception of the group’s name.
Girls’ Generation, also known as Sonyeo Sidae in Korean, signifies that girls are here to take over the world, which evidently they did. Their fandom’s name is SONE. It is pronounced as “So One”, referring to Sonyeo Sidae and their fans will forever be one.
4. SEVENTEEN
Hearing the word seventeen will make anyone instantly assume that the group’s name comes from the number of members they have. But that’s not the case. There are just simple maths involved behind the name. SEVENTEEN consists of 13 members – S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino. Furthermore, the group is divided into 3 units – Vocal, Dance and Hip-Hop. But, at the end of the day that makes them 1 group.
Therefore, 13 members + 3 units + 1 group = SEVENTEEN.
Their fandom’s name is CARAT. In an interview with Vanity Fair, member Vernon explained that, “Back to 2015, before our debut, we performed this song called Shining Diamonds. The fan name CARAT started off from that song, So our fans are diamonds, carats.”
5. ATEEZ
ATEEZ is one of the leading boy groups of 4th generation K-pop, so much so that they have been named 4th Generation Leaders by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
The group made its debut in 2018 under KQ Entertainment. The group comprises eight members – Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho. The group is known for its unique concept and charisma on stage.
The group’s name, ATEEZ, is actually a shortened version for A TEEnager Z. It also stands for A-Z, meaning they are just a group of teenagers aiming to do everything and everyone can be their fans.
The fandom name, ATINY, was actually chosen by fans themselves. The word is a combination of ATEEZ and Destiny, meaning, “ATEEZ and their fans were destined to meet.”