A Guide for International K-pop Fans
If you’re an international K-pop fan, chances are you’ve struggled with pronouncing your favorite idols’ names correctly. Korean names follow a different structure than Western names, and many idols use stage names or native Korean pronunciations that aren’t obvious to English speakers.
This guide breaks down the correct pronunciation of well-known Korean idols’ names using English phonetics. Whether you’re talking about BTS in class, streaming a V LIVE, or joining a fan chant at a concert, you’ll be able to say their names with more confidence and accuracy.
Why Korean Names Can Be Tricky for English Speakers
Korean names typically consist of a family name (one syllable) followed by a given name (usually two syllables). Many K-pop idols, however, use stage names that might be based on their real names or completely made up. Adding to the complexity, some letters in Korean have sounds that don’t exist in English or are somewhere in between.
For example, the Korean letter “ㄹ” can sound like both “r” and “l,” depending on its position. Also, there are no exact equivalents for double consonants like “ㅃ” or “ㄲ,” which are pronounced with more force than their single consonant versions.
To help fans worldwide feel more connected to their idols and communicate more naturally, we’ve listed out a range of commonly mispronounced idol names and how to say them properly in English.
BTS Members – Real Names and Pronunciation
Even the most famous K-pop group in the world has names that many fans mispronounce. Here’s how to get it right.
RM (Kim Namjoon) → kim nahm-joon
Jin (Kim Seokjin) → kim suk-jin (like “suhk” but soft, not harsh)
SUGA (Min Yoongi) → min yoon-gi
j-hope (Jung Hoseok) → jung ho-suk (“jung” like “young” with a soft j)
Jimin (Park Jimin) → park jee-min
V (Kim Taehyung) → kim tay-hyung
Jungkook (Jeon Jungkook) → jun jung-gook (not “cook,” but “gook” with a soft g)
BLACKPINK Members – Korean Names Explained
Although BLACKPINK uses stage names that are simple for English speakers, some fans don’t know their Korean names or how to pronounce them correctly.
Jisoo (Kim Jisoo) → kim jee-soo
Jennie (Kim Jennie) → kim jeh-nee (just like “Jenny” in English)
Rosé (Park Chaeyoung) → park chae-young (chae rhymes with “day”)
Lisa (Lalisa Manoban) → la-lee-sa (her Korean pronunciation often puts emphasis on the first syllable)
TWICE Members – Tricky but Beautiful Names
TWICE has a multinational lineup, but here we focus on the Korean member names.
Nayeon (Im Nayeon) → eem nah-yeon (not “nay,” but more like “nah-yeon”)
Jeongyeon (Yoo Jeongyeon) → yoo jung-yeon (again, “jung” is like “young” with a j)
Jihyo (Park Jihyo) → park jee-hyo (“hyo” rhymes with “yo” but softer)
Dahyun (Kim Dahyun) → kim dah-hyun (hyun sounds like “hyun” in “Hyundai”)
Chaeyoung (Son Chaeyoung) → son chae-young
Tzuyu (Chou Tzuyu) → joo-ee or tzoo-ee (Koreans often say joo-ee, the Mandarin pronunciation is different)
EXO Members – Classic K-pop Names to Know
EXO has both Korean and Chinese members. Here are the most common Korean pronunciations for the Korean members.
Suho (Kim Junmyeon) → kim joon-myuhn
Baekhyun (Byun Baekhyun) → byun beck-hyun
Chanyeol (Park Chanyeol) → park chan-yeol
D.O. (Do Kyungsoo) → doe kyung-soo
Kai (Kim Jongin) → kim jong-in
Sehun (Oh Sehun) → oh seh-hoon
Stray Kids – Rising Popularity, Rising Confusion
Some fans are unsure how to pronounce names from newer groups like Stray Kids. Here’s a quick guide:
Bang Chan → bahng chan (Bahng rhymes with “song”)
Lee Know (Minho) → lee no (just like “no” in English)
Changbin → chang-bin (chang like “long”)
Hyunjin → hyun-jin
Han Jisung → han jee-sung
Felix → fee-lix (Korean pronunciation tends to soften the x)
Seungmin → seung-min (seung rhymes with “sung,” but with more nasal tone)
I.N (Jeong In) → jung-in
ATEEZ – Global and Bold, with Korean Roots
ATEEZ members all have Korean names with subtle pronunciation points.
Hongjoong → hong-joong (joong rhymes with “moon”)
Seonghwa → sung-hwa (sung like “song” with an “uh” sound)
Yunho → yoon-ho
Yeosang → yuh-sang
San → sahn (not “san” like sand, but with an open ‘a’)
Mingi → min-gi
Wooyoung → woo-young
Jongho → jong-ho
NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM – Pronunciations for the New Gen
As new K-pop groups gain international fans, pronunciation can get even trickier, especially with unique stylizations.
NewJeans
Minji → min-jee
Hanni → ha-nee
Danielle → dan-yell (Western pronunciation)
Haerin → hae-rin (hae like “hey”)
Hyein → hye-in (hye rhymes with “eye”)
LE SSERAFIM
Kim Chaewon → kim chae-won
Sakura → sa-koo-ra (Japanese pronunciation)
Huh Yunjin → huh yoon-jin
Kazuha → kah-zoo-ha (Japanese)
Hong Eunchae → hong un-chae
Why Pronouncing Names Correctly Matters
Saying someone’s name properly is a sign of respect. It shows that you’re making an effort to connect across cultures and languages. For K-pop idols who spend years training to perform internationally, hearing their names said correctly by global fans is a small but meaningful way to show support.
It also helps when you’re introducing K-pop to new fans, writing about idols online, or simply cheering during a live performance. Fan chants, interviews, and online community discussions often use romanized names, and getting them right helps avoid confusion.
Where You Can Hear Correct Pronunciations
If you’re unsure about how to pronounce a name, here are a few helpful resources:
Official YouTube channels where idols introduce themselves
Variety shows with English subtitles like “Weekly Idol” or “Knowing Bros”
Romanization guides on sites like KProfiles
Instagram Lives and TikTok clips where idols greet fans
Google Translate for basic phonetics (use with caution)
Listening to the idols themselves is always the best way to learn. Many of them introduce themselves with both English and Korean pronunciations at the start of their debut videos or fan meetings.
Practice Makes Confidence
You don’t need to be fluent in Korean to enjoy K-pop, but getting the names right adds depth to your fandom experience. Start with your favorite group and practice saying each member’s name aloud. Over time, you’ll get more comfortable and start recognizing the patterns that exist in Korean pronunciation.
The K-pop community is full of fans from every corner of the world. Learning how to say names the way they’re meant to be said helps bridge cultures and brings you closer to the music and the people behind it.