Surprising Facts about KPop

The term "idol" in K-pop originated because early K-pop stars were meant to be role models for young people, hence being "idols" to look up to. K-pop training can last between 2-10 years before debut, with some trainees starting as young as 10 years old. The first K-pop group to break onto the Billboard Hot 100 wasn't BTS - it was Wonder Girls in 2009 with "Nobody." Most K-pop choreographies have a specific "killing part" - a signature move designed to go viral. The lightstick culture started with K-pop - each group has a unique lightstick design called "official light" "Aegyo" (cute gestures) became a mandatory part of K-pop culture in the late 2000s. The industry term "comeback" in K-pop doesn't mean returning after a long break - it's used for any new release. Monthly idol evaluations are common practice - trainees are graded on singing, dancing, appearance, and even weight.