🟢 Making Negative Sentences with 안/못 | Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)

From BTS to K-pop Demon Hunters, discover how K-pop fandom culture has evolved and why millions worldwide are passionate about this vibrant phenomenon.

🎯 Learning Goal

• Understand the history and rise of K-pop fandom culture
• Learn why international fans are drawn to K-pop
• Explore K-pop’s global reach, top stars, and fan-driven trends
• Acquire useful Korean phrases related to concerts and fandom activities

Did you know that K-pop fandoms now influence global trends beyond music? From passionate fan chants to massive streaming projects, K-pop culture has become a worldwide movement connecting millions of fans through social media and concerts.

Table of Contents

• 1. Key Expressions
• 2. Reading Passage & Vocabulary
• 3. Grammar Tip
• 4. Say What?
• 5. Teacher’s Tip
• 6. K-pop History & Global Appeal
• 7. Practice Dialogue
• 8. Pop Quiz
• 9. Did You Know?
• 10. It’s Your Turn

✨ Key Expressions

• 팬덤 (paen-deom) – fandom
• 응원봉 (eung-won-bong) – light stick
• 스밍 (seu-ming) – streaming (fans streaming music/videos)
• 직캠 (jik-kaem) – direct fancam video
• 팬싸인회 (paen-ssa-in-hoe) – fan signing event

📖 Reading Passage & Vocabulary

K-pop 팬덤 문화는 단순한 음악 팬 문화를 넘어선 현상입니다. 팬들은 응원봉, 팬덤 색, 팬 프로젝트 등 다양한 방법으로 아티스트를 지지합니다. 특히 소셜미디어를 통해 전 세계 팬들이 동시에 활동하며 글로벌 커뮤니티를 형성하고 있습니다.

K-pop fandom culture goes beyond typical music fandom. Fans show support through light sticks, official colors, and fan projects. With social media, fans worldwide engage simultaneously, creating a global community.

📘 Grammar Tip

~하면서 means “while doing something.” Example: “노래를 들으면서 춤춰요.” (I dance while listening to music.)

💬 Say What?

팬덤 문화에서 “덕질”이라는 표현을 자주 씁니다. ‘덕질’은 좋아하는 아이돌을 적극적으로 따라다니며 응원하는 활동을 말해요.

In fandom culture, the term “덕질 (deok-jil)” is often used. It refers to enthusiastically supporting and following one’s favorite idols.

👩‍🏫 Teacher’s Tip

한국어로 아이돌 이름을 부를 때 발음을 자연스럽게 연습해 보세요. 해외 팬들은 종종 영어식 발음을 쓰는데, 한국어식 발음을 익히면 더 친근하게 느껴집니다.

Practice pronouncing idol names naturally in Korean. Many international fans use English pronunciation, but learning the Korean version makes interactions feel more authentic.

🎵 K-pop History & Global Appeal

Brief History: K-pop emerged in the 1990s with groups like H.O.T and Seo Taiji and Boys, blending Western pop with Korean elements. The 2000s saw the rise of second-generation idols (TVXQ, Girls’ Generation, BIGBANG). The 2010s ushered in global superstars like BTS and BLACKPINK, paving the way for 2025 trends like K-pop Demon Hunters.

Why People Love K-pop: - Catchy melodies and synchronized choreography - Unique fandom culture (fan chants, light sticks) - Personal interaction via fan meetings and livestreams - High production value and storytelling in music videos - Strong community among international fans

🗣 Practice Dialogue

A: 가장 인기 있는 K-pop 그룹이 뭐예요?
A (EN): What is the most popular K-pop group?

B: 요즘은 Demon Hunters가 정말 인기 많아요.
B (EN): These days, Demon Hunters is extremely popular.

A: 팬덤 문화가 왜 특별해요?
A (EN): Why is the fandom culture special?

B: 팬들이 프로젝트를 직접 만들어서 전 세계에서 함께 응원해요.
B (EN): Fans organize projects and support them together worldwide.

📝 Pop Quiz

1. Translate: “While listening to music, I study Korean.”

Answer

음악을 들으면서 한국어를 공부해요.

2. Fill in the blank: The Korean slang for enthusiastic idol support is _______.

Answer

덕질 (deok-jil)

3. True or False: BTS was part of the first generation of K-pop idols.

Answer

False – They debuted in the third generation.

💡 Did You Know?

• The most-followed K-pop star on Instagram in 2025 is Lisa (BLACKPINK) with over 103 million followers.

• 2025년 인스타그램에서 가장 많은 팔로워를 가진 K-pop 스타는 블랙핑크 리사로, 1억 300만 명 이상의 팔로워를 보유하고 있습니다.

• The most-followed K-pop group on Instagram is BLACKPINK with more than 60 million followers.

• K-pop 그룹 중 인스타그램 팔로워가 가장 많은 그룹은 블랙핑크로, 6천만 명 이상의 팔로워를 보유하고 있습니다.

• The K-pop group with the largest global fanbase is BTS, often referred to as “ARMY,” with tens of millions of active fans worldwide.

• 전 세계적으로 팬덤 규모가 가장 큰 K-pop 그룹은 BTS로, “아미(ARMY)”라 불리는 팬들은 전 세계 수천만 명에 달합니다.

• The countries consuming the most K-pop are USA, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Mexico.

• K-pop을 가장 많이 소비하는 국가는 미국, 일본, 인도네시아, 필리핀, 멕시코 순입니다.

• The global K-pop market size in 2025 is estimated at over $12 billion USD, growing about 8–10% annually.

• 2025년 전 세계 K-pop 시장 규모는 약 120억 달러로 추산되며, 매년 8~10% 성장하고 있습니다.

✍️ It’s Your Turn

Write 2 Korean sentences about your favorite K-pop group and why you like them. Share in the comments to connect with other fans!

🧾 Final Thoughts

K-pop fandom culture blends passion, creativity, and community. Whether you’re new to K-pop or a long-time fan, exploring its history and current trends like Demon Hunters opens a window into Korean pop culture’s global impact.

Practice on italki: Book a lesson to learn K-pop related Korean expressions and discuss fandom culture with a native teacher.

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