Phrases for fansigns and video calls

Say ○○(이)라고 써 주세요 (○○(i)rago sseo juseyo), 'Please write ○○.' Since spellings can get mixed up, many fans bring a sticky note with their name written in Hangul or English. You can also introduce yourself first with 제 이름은 ○○이에요 (je ireumeun ○○ieyo), 'My name is ○○.'

Say 사인해 주세요 (sain hae juseyo), 'Please sign this.' If you want it on a specific page of your album, point and say 여기에 해 주세요 (yeogie hae juseyo), 'Here, please.' 사인 (sain) comes from the English word 'sign' and is the everyday Korean word for an autograph.

안녕하세요! 만나서 정말 반가워요 (annyeonghaseyo! mannaseo jeongmal bangawoyo), 'Hello! It's so nice to meet you,' is the safest opener. International fans often add ○○에서 왔어요 (○○eseo wasseoyo), 'I came from ○○,' which tends to stick in an artist's memory. Time is short, so plan your lines and practice them out loud.

영통팬싸 (yeongtong paenssa) is short for 영상 통화 팬사인회, a video-call fansign where an artist and fan chat briefly over a video call. 영통 (yeongtong) itself is short for 영상 통화 (yeongsang tonghwa, video call). How to join and what is allowed vary by event, so always read the official notice first.

Fans often check the connection first with 잘 들려요? (jal deullyeoyo, 'Can you hear me?') and 저 보여요? (jeo boyeoyo, 'Can you see me?'). Once it is working, jump straight into 안녕하세요! (annyeonghaseyo). Calls are very short, so test your camera, microphone and internet before your turn.

Say 소리가 안 들려요 (soriga an deullyeoyo, 'I can't hear you') or 화면이 멈췄어요 (hwamyeoni meomchwosseoyo, 'the screen froze'). To ask them to repeat, use 다시 한 번 말해 주세요 (dasi han beon malhae juseyo, 'Please say that once more'). Keep your sentences short and clear so they are easy to catch.

Say 제 별명 지어 주세요 (je byeolmyeong jieo juseyo), 'Please give me a nickname.' 별명 (byeolmyeong) means nickname or pet name. It is a popular request because fans often treasure a nickname chosen by their favorite artist for years afterward.

Say 저 기억해요? (jeo gieokaeyo), 'Do you remember me?' It is a common line from fans who have met an artist before. The casual version is 나 기억해? (na gieokae). Mentioning one detail from last time, such as the event or a nickname, helps the conversation flow.

Say 반말해 주세요 (banmal hae juseyo) or 말 편하게 해 주세요 (mal pyeonhage hae juseyo), both meaning 'Please speak casually with me.' Fans also call casual mode 반모 (banmo), short for 반말 모드. When an artist switches to casual speech, the exchange instantly feels closer and friendlier.

Say 오늘 머리 너무 잘 어울려요 (oneul meori neomu jal eoullyeoyo), 'Your hair really suits you today.' If they changed their hair color, try 머리 색 예뻐요 (meori saek yeppeoyo), 'Your hair color is pretty.' Short, specific compliments land best in the few seconds you get.

Say 손하트 해 주세요 (sonhateu hae juseyo), 'Please make a finger heart.' 손하트 (sonhateu) is the gesture of crossing your thumb and index finger to form a tiny heart. A big heart made with both arms over the head is often called a 큰 하트 (keun hateu, big heart).

Say 오늘 제 생일이에요. 축하해 주세요! (oneul je saengirieyo. chukahae juseyo), 'It's my birthday today. Please congratulate me!' If it is coming soon, say 다음 주가 제 생일이에요 (daeum juga je saengirieyo), 'My birthday is next week.' Artists often reply 생일 축하해 (saengil chukahae).

다음에 또 올게요 (daeume tto olgeyo) means 'I'll come again next time,' a little promise to return. Fans often use it as a closing line at a fansign or video call. For a video call, 또 만나요 (tto mannayo, 'see you again') works just as naturally.

Say 너무 떨려요 (neomu tteollyeoyo), 'I'm so nervous.' If your mind goes blank, saying 준비한 말을 까먹었어요 (junbihan mareul kkameogeosseoyo), 'I forgot what I prepared,' is honest and usually received warmly. Artists often reassure fans with 천천히 말해도 돼요 (cheoncheonhi malhaedo dwaeyo), 'Take your time.'

시간 다 됐어요 (sigan da dwaesseoyo) means 'Time is up.' At fansigns you will also hear 이동해 주세요 (idonghae juseyo), 'Please move along,' asking you to make room for the next fan. When you hear these, smile, say a quick goodbye and step aside.

Say 항상 옆에 있을게요 (hangsang yeope isseulgeyo), 'I'll always be by your side,' meaning you will keep supporting them. It is a perfect one-line message when you only have a few seconds. The casual version is 항상 옆에 있을게 (hangsang yeope isseulge), which fits if the artist is speaking casually with you.

Say 천천히 말할게요 (cheoncheonhi malhalgeyo), 'I'll say it slowly,' then pronounce it syllable by syllable. Showing your name written in Hangul is the surest way. If you have a short Korean nickname, you can say ○○라고 불러 주세요 (○○rago bulleo juseyo), 'Please call me ○○.'

Respect the time limit and staff directions, and avoid demanding requests or overly personal questions. Rules on physical contact and filming differ from event to event, so follow the official notice. Ending briefly with 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida, 'thank you') leaves the best impression on both the artist and staff.

Try 오늘 정말 행복했어요. 고마워요! (oneul jeongmal haengbokaesseoyo. gomawoyo), 'I was so happy today. Thank you!' During a promotion period, add 활동 끝까지 화이팅! (hwaldong kkeutkkaji hwaiting), 'Good luck until the end of promotions!' A simple wave and 안녕! (annyeong) is natural too.

Short ones work best, such as 요즘 뭐 먹어요? (yojeum mwo meogeoyo, 'What have you been eating lately?') or 가장 좋아하는 수록곡은 뭐예요? (gajang joahaneun surokgogeun mwoyeyo, 'Which B-side is your favorite?'). Yes-or-no questions save time. Steer clear of questions that pry into their private life.