K-POP 101

New to K-Pop and feeling lost? No worries, here are some of the most basic K-Pop fandom terminology to get you started! You'll feel like an expert in no time.

“SELF-PRODUCED” VARIETY IN K-POP

“Self-Produced” variety content (자체 제작 콘텐츠 / 자컨) or “original content” refers to variety-style content produced by the K-Pop artists’ management company, rather than an external organization like a TV broadcasting station or a YouTube series.

WHAT IS “CHEMISTRY” IN K-POP?

“Chemistry” is non-romantic; rather, it is the unique friendship dynamic between two people; the interaction between two or more personalities.

LIST OF COMMON FOOD “BALANCE GAMES”

Balance games are basically “What would you rather?” questions asked between friends, on the internet, or to celebrities in interviews. Popular food-related balance game questions often pop up in candid interviews (or “TMI interview”) with K-Pop idols.

WHAT IS “TMI” IN K-POP?

TMIs are usually personal preferences or interests, as opposed to information about the celebrity’s professional career - topics could include food, hobbies, siblings, interests, habits, etc.