K-pop album and stage terms

타이틀곡 (taiteulgok, title track) is the song that represents an album, the one promoted with a music video and music show performances. It is similar to a lead single. The album's name and the title track's name are often different, so check both when searching for a release.

수록곡 (surokgok) means a track included on an album, and it usually refers to songs other than the title track, much like 'B-side.' Fans praise albums full of great non-title songs by calling them a 수록곡 맛집 (surokgok matjip), literally 'a restaurant famous for its B-sides.'

정규 앨범 (jeonggyu aelbeom) is a full-length album with many tracks, while 미니 앨범 (mini aelbeom) is a shorter EP-style release. There is no fixed official track count, and labels decide for themselves. A release with just one or two songs is called a 싱글 (singgeul, single).

선공개 (seongonggae) means releasing part of an album, usually one song, ahead of the full album. That track is called a 선공개곡 (seongonggaegok), a pre-release single. It is a common promotional move to build anticipation before the main comeback date arrives.

티저 (tijeo, teaser) is a short photo or video released before a comeback that hints at the new album's mood. Fans study teasers to guess the concept. Photos are called 티저 이미지 (tijeo imiji) and clips 티저 영상 (tijeo yeongsang), and they usually roll out on a published schedule.

뮤비 (myubi) is short for 뮤직비디오 (myujikbidio), music video. Right after a release, fans watch together to push up the view count. Videos showing behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot are called 뮤비 비하인드 (myubi bihaindeu), and they usually come out a few days later.

쇼케이스 (syokeiseu, showcase) is an event introducing a new album, with live performances of the new songs. Some are held for the press and others for invited fans. A 데뷔 쇼케이스 (debwi syokeiseu), held when a group first debuts, is an especially important milestone.

안무 (anmu) is choreography, the dance moves set to a song. The person who creates it is an 안무가 (anmuga, choreographer). Dance practice clips are 안무 영상 (anmu yeongsang), and flipped versions called 거울 모드 (geoul modeu, mirror mode) are popular for learning the moves.

칼군무 (kalgunmu) describes group choreography so perfectly synchronized it looks cut with a knife. 칼 (kal, knife) suggests precision and 군무 (gunmu) means a group dance. Fans use it to praise performances where many members move in exact unison, a hallmark many K-pop groups are known for.

킬링 파트 (killing pateu, killing part) is the most striking, addictive moment in a song or performance. A single line or move can become the killing part and go viral. Fans also talk about each member's moment, as in ○○의 킬링 파트 (○○ui killing pateu), '○○'s killing part.'

파트 분배 (pateu bunbae) means line distribution, how the singing parts of a song are divided among members. Fans sometimes compare how many seconds each member gets. When parts are spread evenly, people say 파트 분배가 좋다 (pateu bunbaega jota), 'the line distribution is fair.'

엔딩 요정 (ending yojeong, 'ending fairy') is the member the camera closes in on at the very end of a music show performance. 요정 (fairy) was added because these final close-ups are so memorable. Members catching their breath while posing for the camera often become viral moments.

사녹 (sanok) is short for 사전 녹화 (sajeon nokhwa), pre-recording a music show stage before the live broadcast. Some fans can attend in person to watch the recording. Entry methods differ, so check the broadcaster's and agency's official notices for details.

음원 (eumwon) refers to digital music you stream or download, while 음반 (eumban) means physical albums such as CDs. So 음원 차트 (eumwon chateu, digital charts) and 음반 판매량 (eumban panmaeryang, album sales) are counted separately. Fans support both kinds of records.

올킬 (olkil) comes from 'all kill' and means a song topping several digital music charts at the same time. Fans celebrate with 음원 올킬 달성 (eumwon olkil dalseong), 'achieved an all-kill.' Which charts count toward an all-kill depends on who is tracking it, so definitions vary.

챌린지 (chaellinji, challenge) is a trend where people film themselves doing a short piece of a new song's choreography and post it. Idols promote new releases by filming challenges with other artists. Fans join in too, uploading their own versions to social media.

공약 (gongyak) means a public promise. A 1위 공약 (irwi gongyak) is a promise an artist makes to fans to do something special if they win first place on a music show. Common examples include performing in cute costumes or covering another group's song, which fans love to see fulfilled.

활동기 (hwaldonggi) is a promotion period when an artist appears actively on shows and at events with a new song. 공백기 (gongbaekgi) is a hiatus, time spent resting or preparing without public activities. During a long hiatus, fans keep sending messages saying they are waiting for the comeback.

팬송 (paensong, fan song) is a song an artist makes to thank their fans. It is often performed at the end of a concert or during the encore, with the audience singing along. Some fan songs even include the fan club's name in the lyrics, which makes them especially meaningful to fans.

유닛 (yunit, unit) is a smaller team formed by some members of a group to release music or promote separately, the same idea as a 'sub-unit.' After unit activities end, the members return to the full group. Units let groups show different styles without changing their lineup.