내 최애
nae choeae
The Korean phrase for "my bias" is 내 최애 (nae choeae).
최애 is used to describe your absolute favorite person, such as a member of a music group. While it originated in idol culture, it is now widely used to refer to any favorite character in a movie, anime or webtoon.
Which one should you use?
최애 refers specifically to your number one favorite. If you want to refer to your second favorite member, you would use 차애.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 내 is the informal/casual form of "my". For a polite version, use 제.
How do you pronounce it?
nae choeae
Did you know?
- In Korean fandom, switching your 최애 from one member to another is described by the verb 갈아타다, which is the same word used for 'transferring' between buses or trains.
- The moment you officially become a fan of your 최애 is called 입덕, which literally translates to 'entering the fandom gate'.
- The word 최애 is a Sino-Korean term, meaning it is constructed from Hanja (Chinese characters) rather than native Korean roots. This makes it a more formal-sounding way to name a favorite, even though its use is highly casual in modern internet culture.
Examples in context
- 저는 방탄소년단의 제이홉씨가 제 취향입니다.I have a preference for J-Hope from BTS.
- 나는 ITZY의 예지 팬이야.I'm a fan of Yeji from ITZY.
- 내 최애는 이 그룹의 리더야.nae choeae-neun i geurup-ui ri-deo-ya.My bias is the leader of this group.
- 이 드라마에서 내 최애는 주인공이야.i deu-ra-ma-e-seo nae choeae-neun ju-in-gong-i-ya.My bias in this drama is the main character.
- 너도 내 최애를 알고 있어?neo-do nae choeae-reul al-go is-seo?Do you know my bias too?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite K-pop idols.
- 민준 Min-jun지은아, 네 최애는 누구야?Ji-eun-a, ne choeae-neun nu-gu-ya?Jieun, who is your bias?
- 지은 Ji-eun나는 이 그룹의 메인 댄서가 내 최애야.na-neun i geurup-ui mein daen-seo-ga nae choeae-ya.My bias is the main dancer of this group.
- 민준 Min-jun그 멤버 정말 멋있지!geu mem-beo jeong-mal meos-it-ji!That member is really cool!
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 정말 좋아해.eung, jeong-mal jo-a-hae.Yeah, I really like him.
