K-pop words to knowK-pop
Fandom (팬덤, paendeom) — and the official fandom name
A fandom is a community of devoted fans. K-pop artists usually have an official fandom name, such as BTS’s ARMY.
팬덤 · paendeomFandom name = 팬덤명Updated Oct 20, 2026
A fandom’s official light stick
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Official product image
ATEEZ Official Light Stick Ver.2
An example of a fandom’s official light stick. Amazon lists it as official merch from ATEEZ’s tour collection, with four light modes.
What does it mean?
Urimalsaem defines 팬덤 as people, or a group of them, who are extremely devoted to a celebrity such as a singer, actor or athlete, and 팬덤명 as the name of such a group.
Fandom names
BTS’s agency announced the name ARMY when it recruited its first official fan club in December 2013, six months after debut, according to The Korea Herald. Other examples from Wikipedia: TWICE’s fans are ONCE, Stray Kids’ are Stay, and BIGBANG’s are V.I.P.
Light sticks
Many fandoms also have an official light stick. Our guide explains how to choose one and what to check before buying.
In a sentence
“Our fandom name is ONCE.” / “팬덤이 정말 커요.” (The fandom is really big.)