Follow Your K-Pop Bias! Your Guide to Korean Social Media
Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Are you a huge fan of K-pop or K-dramas? Do you want to see what your favorite stars are up to every day? Then you absolutely need to be on Korean social media! Today, we’re going to learn the essential Korean words and phrases for creating your very own social media account. Lately in Korea, everything happens on SNS (Social Networking Service) first – from new music releases to the hottest food trends. Let’s get you ready to join the fun!
Key Expressions You Need to Know
Here are the essential words to get you started on your social media journey in Korea!
- 한국어 표현: 계정 (gye-jeong)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Gye-jeong
- English Meaning: Account
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most common word for an “account” online, whether it’s for Instagram, Twitter, or a website. You can use it to say you have an account or want to make one. It’s a neutral word used in all situations.
- Example: 인스타그램 계정 있어요? (In-seu-ta-geu-raem gye-jeong i-sseo-yo?) – Do you have an Instagram account?
- 한국어 표현: 팔로우하다 (pal-lo-u-ha-da)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Pal-lo-u-ha-da
- English Meaning: To follow
- Detailed Explanation: This is a perfect example of Konglish (Korean-style English)! It comes directly from the English word “follow.” You use this verb when you want to follow someone’s account on social media. To make it a noun (“follower”), you can say 팔로워 (pal-lo-wo).
- Example: 제가 제일 좋아하는 아이돌을 팔로우했어요. (Je-ga je-il jo-a-ha-neun a-i-do-reul pal-lo-u-hae-sseo-yo.) – I followed my favorite idol.
- 한국어 표현: 아이디 (a-i-di)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: A-i-di
- English Meaning: ID / Username
- Detailed Explanation: Another easy Konglish word! This means your username or login ID. When you’re signing up for a new account, the website will almost always ask you for your 아이디.
- Example: 제 아이디는 “maeilhangeul”이에요. (Je a-i-di-neun “maeilhangeul”-i-e-yo.) – My ID is “maeilhangeul.”
- 한국어 표현: 인증샷 (in-jeung-syat)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: In-jeung-syat
- English Meaning: Proof shot / Verification photo
- Detailed Explanation: This is a very trendy and important word in Korean SNS culture! It’s a compound of 인증 (in-jeung), which means “verification” or “proof,” and 샷 (syat), from the English word “shot.” People post an 인증샷 to prove they went somewhere cool, ate something delicious, or bought a new item. It’s like saying, “Look! I was really here!”
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these words are used in a real conversation! Two friends, A and B, are talking about the new K-pop group “Starlight.”
A: 너 “스타라이트” 알아? 요즘 진짜 인기 많아!
(Neo “Seu-ta-la-i-teu” a-ra? Yo-jeum jin-jja in-gi ma-na!)
Do you know “Starlight”? They’re so popular these days!
B: 응! 나도 팬이야. 인스타그램 계정 만들었대!
(Eung! Na-do paen-i-ya. In-seu-ta-geu-raem gye-jeong man-deu-reot-dae!)
Yeah! I’m a fan too. I heard they made an Instagram account!
A: 진짜? 아이디가 뭐야? 바로 팔로우해야지!
(Jin-jja? A-i-di-ga mwo-ya? Ba-ro pal-lo-u-hae-ya-ji!)
Really? What’s their ID? I have to follow them right away!
B: “starlight_official”이야. 어제 멤버들이 카페에서 찍은 인증샷 올렸어!
(“starlight_official”-i-ya. Eo-je mem-beo-deu-ri ka-pe-e-seo jji-geun in-jeung-syat ol-lyeo-sseo!)
It’s “starlight_official”. Yesterday, the members posted a proof shot from a cafe!
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, the 인증샷 (in-jeung-syat) culture is huge, especially for the Z generation. It’s more than just a photo; it’s a way of participating in a trend and sharing your experience.
For example, when a member of a famous group like SEVENTEEN or BLACKPINK posts a photo at a specific restaurant or pretty cafe, fans will flock to that exact spot. They’ll order the same food, sit in the same seat if possible, and take their own 인증샷 to post on their social media. It’s a fun way for fans to feel connected to their idols.
So, if you want to sound like a real Korean local, try using 인증샷 the next time you post a picture from a cool place you visited in Korea!
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today! We learned some super useful words for navigating the world of Korean social media: 계정 (account), 팔로우하다 (to follow), 아이디 (ID), and the very trendy 인증샷 (proof shot).
Now it’s your turn to practice!
- Fill in the blank:
- I want to make a new Twitter __________.
- (저는 새로운 트위터 __________을/를 만들고 싶어요.)
- Short sentence:
- Using the word 팔로우하다 (to follow), write a short sentence about an idol or actor you want to follow.
Don’t be shy! Leave your answers in the comments below using the expressions we learned today. We can’t wait to see them
