케이팝
keipap[kʰe̞ipʰa̠p̚]
The English term k-pop is translated into Korean as 케이팝 (keipap). Wiktionary also lists 한국 팝 음악 (han'guk pap eumak).
Meaning: South Korean pop music (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 케이팝 | keipap | [kʰe̞ipʰa̠p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 한국 팝 음악 | han'guk pap eumak |
The term refers to South Korean pop music.
Which one should you use?
While 케이팝 is the common loanword used in media and daily conversation, 한국 팝 음악 is the more descriptive, formal way to say 'Korean pop music'. The combination of the English letter 'K' and the Korean word 팝 (pop) is a very common way to write the term in Korean media.
How do you pronounce it?
keipap
Did you know?
- In South Korea, fans often use 'lightsticks' during 케이팝 concerts, which are high-tech glowing wands unique to each artist or group to create a 'sea' of a specific color in the crowd.
- The 한 in 한국 팝 음악 originally referred to the 삼한 or 'Three Han', which were three ancient tribal confederations in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
- While 케이팝 is a global term, the industry is famous for 'trainee' systems where aspiring artists undergo years of rigorous training in dance, singing and foreign languages before debuting.
Examples in context
- 한국 대중음악이 좋아요!I like Korean popular music!
- 네, 한국 대중음악은 정말 대단하죠!Yes, Korean popular music is truly amazing!
- 케이팝 천재들의 춤은 멋있어!The dances of K-Pop geniuses are cool!
- 너무 멋져! 케이팝 음악을 무한 반복 중이야!So cool! I'm endlessly repeating K-Pop music!
- 저는 케이팝을 정말 좋아해요.jeoneun keipabeul jeongmal joahae-yo.I really love K-pop.
- 요즘 케이팝이 아주 인기 많아요.yojeum keipabi aju in-gi manh-ayo.K-pop is very popular these days.
- 케이팝 가수가 되고 싶어요.keipap gasuga doego sipeoyo.I want to become a K-pop singer.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about music at a cafe.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨는 케이팝 좋아해요?Dohyeon ssi-neun keipap joahae-yo?Dohyeon, do you like K-pop?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 케이팝 노래를 자주 들어요.Ne, keipap noraereul jaju deureoyo.Yes, I listen to K-pop songs often.
- 수빈 Su-bin어떤 그룹을 제일 좋아해요?Eotteon geurup-eul jeil joahae-yo?Which group do you like most?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 모든 케이팝 그룹을 다 좋아해요.Jeoneun modeun keipap geurup-eul da joahae-yo.I like all K-pop groups.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “k-pop” translations and entries 케이팝, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 음악, 팝, 한국, CC BY-SA 4.0.
