English in KPop Band Names
Another interesting phenomenon within KPop is the formation of band names. The majority of them are acronyms for English phrases or complete English phrases within themselves. Few are names in complete Korean, and the ones that are often use the English translation of their band name, or an acronym using the English alphabet.
Acronyms for English Phrases
Band name MBLAQ
BTOB U-KISS VIXX F.Cuz CLC B.A.P. HALO EXID NU'EST AOA OMG |
MeaningMusic Boys Live in Absolute Quality
Born To Beat Ubiquitous Korean International Super Stars Voice, Visual, Value in Excelsis For Century Ultimate Zest Crystal Clear Best Absolute Perfect Hexagon of Absolute Light and Organization Exceed in Dreaming NU, Establish, Style, Tempo Ace of Angels Oh My Girl |
Acronyms for Korean Phrases
Band name Romanization Meaning Acronym
방탄소년단 Bangtan Sonyeondan Bulletproof Boy Scouts BTS
소녀시대 Sonyeo Shidae Girls’ Generation SNSD
동방신기 Dongbangshinki Rising Gods of the East DBSK
소녀시대 Sonyeo Shidae Girls’ Generation SNSD
동방신기 Dongbangshinki Rising Gods of the East DBSK
English Alphabet + Numbers
Band name Pronunciation Meaning
B2ST “BEAST” Boys of the East Standing Tall
Note: In Korean, the number ‘2’ is pronounced ‘ee’. Therefore, when read with the English pronunciations of ‘B’, ‘S’, and ‘T’, but the Korean pronunciation of the number ‘2’, the band name sounds like the word “beast”.
2NE1 “TWENTY ONE / TO ANYONE” New Evolution of the 21st Century
Note: In Korean, the number ‘2’ is pronounced ‘ee’. Therefore, when read with the English pronunciations of ‘B’, ‘S’, and ‘T’, but the Korean pronunciation of the number ‘2’, the band name sounds like the word “beast”.
2NE1 “TWENTY ONE / TO ANYONE” New Evolution of the 21st Century
English Band Names
SHINee
Big Bang Super Junior After School Boyfriend Cross Gene Rainbow |
Brown Eyed Girls
Girl’s Day Infinite MYNAME Teen Top Topp Dogg Red Velvet |