K-pop words to knowK-pop
Bias (최애, choi-ae) — your favorite artist
In K-pop, “bias” is not prejudice. It means your favorite artist, and the closest Korean word is 최애.
최애 · choi-aeNot a negative wordUpdated Oct 20, 2026
What does it mean?
The Korea Times explains that for global music fans a bias is “not a prejudice but a favorite K-pop artist.” Urimalsaem defines the Korean word 최애 (最愛) as “loving most, or the person or thing loved most.”
In the news
In June 2026 the Korea Tourism Organization launched BIAS (Be In Artists’ Scenes), a campaign that runs through November. Idols film travel content about regions tied to them, such as MONSTA X in Gyeongju and Stray Kids in Busan.
In a sentence
“Who is your bias in the group?” / “제 최애는 막내예요.” (My favorite is the maknae.)
Similar words
Urimalsaem also lists 최애하다 (to love most). 최애캐 means your favorite character in comics or dramas.