입덕 (ipdeok)
"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 the moment you fall for a group and become a fan — literally "entering" (입) the world of 덕후 (fandom). K-pop fans love sharing their 입덕 story: the exact video, song, or fancam that pulled them in. The verb is 입덕하다 (ipdeokhada).
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
Announcing you became a fan
The core sense — declaring you have fallen for a group.
The 입덕 부정기 (denial period)
The famous phase of resisting before you admit you are a fan.
The 입덕 영상 (the video that pulls you in)
The specific clip that converts someone into a fan.
입덕 to 탈덕 (the lifecycle and leaving)
Entering, leaving, and re-entering the fandom.
입덕 포인트 (the hook)
The exact thing that hooked you in.
입덕in K-pop & K-drama
입덕 영상 — the gateway video
Almost every K-pop fan has an 입덕 영상: the one performance, MV, or fancam that converted them. Sharing 입덕 영상s is a core bonding ritual, and fandoms curate "입덕 추천" lists specifically to recruit newcomers.
입덕 부정기 — the denial phase
A beloved fandom in-joke: the stretch where someone insists "I'm not a fan, I just like this one song" while already learning every member's name. The longer the 부정기, the deeper the eventual fall.
입덕 → 탈덕 → 재입덕 — the revolving door
Fans cycle through 입덕 (entering), 탈덕 (leaving), and 재입덕 (re-entering), sometimes across several groups. The precise vocabulary lets fans narrate exactly where they stand in their fandom journey.
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")
입덕 vs. similar terms
The K-pop fandom lifecycle — entry to exit
| Term | Hangul | Stage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ipdeok | 입덕 | Entry | Becoming a fan / falling into a fandom |
| deokjil | 덕질 | Active | The ongoing fan activity itself |
| hyudeok | 휴덕 | Pause | Taking a break from active fanning |
| taldeok | 탈덕 | Exit | Leaving the fandom / quitting |
| jaeipdeok | 재입덕 | Return | Falling back in after having left |
Related terms
More in Fan culture
K-pop / K-drama fandom vocabulary that doubles as everyday Korean.
A spontaneous "oh my!" or "OMG" — Korean's most common interjection of surprise, especially among women and older speakers.
Internet slang for "elementary schooler" — used to mock immature behavior in older people, especially online.
"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.
What is an 입덕 영상 (ipdeok video)?
An 입덕 영상 (ipdeok yeongsang) is the video that made you a fan — the specific performance, music video, or fancam that pulled you into a fandom. Fans swap 입덕 영상s as recommendations to convert their friends.
What does 재입덕 (jaeipdeok) mean?
재입덕 (jaeipdeok) means re-entering the fandom — falling back in after you had left (탈덕). Many fans 입덕, 탈덕, and 재입덕 more than once, sometimes for the same group years later.
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.