Which K-pop group should a beginner start with?

Start with any group whose songs you already like. BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE and Stray Kids are common first groups because they have many popular songs and English-friendly content.

Do I need to understand Korean to enjoy K-pop?

No. Most fans start without knowing Korean. Most music videos and clips have English subtitles, and you pick up common words over time.

How to Get Into K-pop: A Beginner's Guide

Q: How do I make K-pop friends?

Join a space built around one fandom and start with 'Who's your bias?'. Avoid sharing your phone number with strangers in large public groups.

Pick one group, listen to 4–5 of their best-known songs, watch one live stage, learn a few fan words like bias and comeback, then find a few fans to talk to. That's it.

K-pop can feel huge from the outside: hundreds of groups, new releases every week and a whole vocabulary. You don't need to know all of it. Most fans got in through one song, one group and one friend.

Meet K-pop fans →

1. Start with one group

Trying to follow everything at once is the fastest way to give up. Pick one group whose sound you like. Common first groups:

BTS (fans: ARMY): pop, hip-hop and ballads, plus a few English-language hits.
BLACKPINK (fans: BLINK): big, bold girl-crush tracks.
TWICE (fans: ONCE): bright, catchy pop.
Stray Kids (fans: STAY): loud, experimental and largely self-produced.

Not sure? Try the 20 K-pop songs for beginners and see which group sticks.

2. Watch, don't just listen

K-pop is as much performance as music. After a song you like, watch its music video, then a live stage. Then watch a variety show or behind-the-scenes clip: personality is what makes most people stay.

3. Learn the fan words

Fans mix Korean and English. Start with five: bias (favourite member), maknae (youngest member), comeback (new release), era (one album's look and sound) and stan (a dedicated fan). Full list: K-pop words meaning.

4. Pick a bias (when you're ready)

Your bias is your favourite member. There's no rush and no rule; it can be their voice, dance or personality. Read what a bias is in K-pop for bias wreckers, ult bias and OT7.

5. Learn the fandom name

Every group's fans have a name, like ARMY or STAY. Knowing it helps you find fans online. See the K-pop fandom names list.

6. Find people to share it with

K-pop is more fun with friends, but many new fans don't know anyone offline who listens. Some ways to meet fans:

The Fandom Hub: pick your fandom and bias and get matched with a fan who picked the same. Free and anonymous.
Fan chats by group: ARMY · BLINK · ONCE · STAY.
Fan polls and questions in the Community.

7. Stay safe and kind

Never share your phone number, address, OTP or passwords with strangers.
Stream songs on trusted music apps.
Skip fan wars. Every fandom loves its group as much as you love yours.

More tips in the Safety Center.

FAQ

Which group should a beginner start with? Any group whose songs you already like. BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE and Stray Kids are common first picks.
Do I need to understand Korean? No. Most videos have English subtitles.
How do I make K-pop friends? Join a space for one fandom and start with "Who's your bias?".

Open the Fandom Hub →

Related guides: What is a bias · K-pop words meaning · Fandom names · Songs for beginners

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