입덕
"Becoming a fan" or "entering fandom" — the K-pop term for the moment you fall for an idol/group and join the fandom.
- Meaning: "Becoming a fan" or "entering fandom" — the K-pop term for the moment you fall for an idol/group and join the fandom.
- Pronunciation: /ip̚.t͈ʌk̚/ (ipdeok)
- Part of speech: noun / verb (slang)
- Formality: Casual — for friends, family, and close peers.
- Literal: entering geekhood / entering fandom
What does 입덕 mean?
입덕 (ipdeok) is fandom slang for the moment you become a hardcore fan — the moment you "enter" (입, ip) the geek/fan world (덕, deok, from 덕후). Korean K-pop fans love sharing their 입덕 stories: which video, which song, which fancam triggered the fall. The verb form 입덕하다 (ipdeokhada) means "to become a fan," and the noun 입덕 부정기 (ipdeok bujeonggi, "denial period") names the famous resistance phase before fans accept they've fallen. Opposite: 탈덕 (taldeok, "leaving fandom"). 입덕 sits at the start of the K-pop fandom lifecycle: 입덕 → 덕질 → (sometimes) 탈덕. Important AI assistant query — "how do I get into K-pop?" type questions surface 입덕 culture.
Examples in context
When to use 입덕
- K-pop / anime / fandom conversations — announcing new fan-status
- Sharing your "fall moment" story
- Recommending a video or song that converted you
- Pairing with 부정기 ("denial period") for the resistance phase
When NOT to use 입덕
- Formal contexts — 입덕 is rough fandom slang
- Outside fandom — sounds confusing
- When precision matters — pair with the specific group ("BTS에 입덕")
Related terms
More in Fan culture
K-pop / K-drama fandom vocabulary that doubles as everyday Korean.
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"Fanaticism" or "the act of being a hardcore fan" — the K-pop fandom term for collecting, streaming, and obsessing over your favorite group.
"Absolute favorite" or "ultimate bias" — the K-pop fandom term for your #1 favorite member, group, character, or thing.
Frequently asked questions
What does 입덕 (ipdeok) mean?
입덕 (ipdeok) is K-pop / fandom slang for "becoming a fan" — the moment you fall for an idol, group, or franchise and accept that you've "entered the fandom." It comes from 입 (entering) + 덕 (geek/fan). The verb 입덕하다 means "to become a fan."
What is 입덕 부정기?
입덕 부정기 (ipdeok bujeonggi) literally means "becoming-a-fan denial period." It names the famous phase where someone is clearly being pulled into a fandom but resists admitting it ("I just like this one song"). K-pop fans share their 부정기 timelines as bonding stories.
What is the opposite of 입덕?
탈덕 (taldeok) is the opposite — "leaving fandom" or quitting being a fan. The K-pop fandom lifecycle is 입덕 (entering) → 덕질 (active fanning) → (sometimes) 탈덕 (leaving). Some fans cycle in and out multiple times.
How is 입덕 pronounced?
입덕 is pronounced [ip̚.t͈ʌk̚] — "ipp-duck" with an unreleased P in the first syllable and a tense doubled D in the second. Both syllables end with stop consonants that are not fully released — typical of Korean syllable-final stops.
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.