PremiumFrom ENHYPEN to (G)I-DLE: Let's see if you pronounce these 4th & 5th-gen group names properly
Let's have a look at some of the groups that need to be said right. Which group name did you have difficulty pronouncing?
Last Updated: 06.54 PM, Feb 22, 2024
Not the first, and surely won't be the last, fans have witnessed K-Pop groups experimenting with their names to make them more interesting and fun. Take, for example, the first-generation group 'Fin.K.L' (finkle). However, what is concerning is that many are unable to pronounce the names of these groups as they should be pronounced.
ALSO READ | From TWS to ALL(H)OURS - New and upcoming K-Pop boy groups to keep an eye out for in 2024
Specifically, names of 4th and 5th-gen groups are frequently mispronounced, with many enthusiasts likely getting at least one of them wrong. Let's have a look at some of the groups that need to be said right.
WEi
Formed by: Oui Entertainment
Members: Daehyeon, Donghan, Yongha, Yohan, Seokhwa, and Junseo.
While many might initially pronounce it as 'way', paying close attention to the capitalization reveals that the word is a combination of 'WE' and 'I' separately. Therefore, the correct pronunciation is 'wee-eye'.
TWS
Formed by: PLEDIS Entertainment
Members: Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon, and Kyungmin.
The name TWS is not meant to be read as separate letters; instead, it is derived from their tagline, 'twenty-four-seven with us'. Therefore, the correct pronunciation of TWS is 'too-us'.
(G)I-DLE
Formed by: Cube Entertainment
Members: Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua.
What's funny is that the members themselves use two pronunciations to tell their names. The first and original pronunciation in Korean is 'yeo-ja-ai-deul', with the letter 'G' representing 'yeoja' - the Korean word for 'girl'. However, the members requested that fans simply refer to them as 'idle' from then on.
VIVIZ
Formed by: BPM Entertainment
Members: Former GFriend members Eunha, SinB, and Umji.
While this seems like a simple name, pronouncing it with two syllables is not correct. The right pronunciation is 'vi-vi-ji', or 'bi-bi-ji' in Korean as there are 2 meanings. The spelling is an abbreviation of their concept 'vivid days', however, their pronunciation is taken from the last syllable of each member's name: Jung Eun Bi (Eunha), Hwang Eun Bi (SinB), and the 'ji' in Umji.
ENHYPEN
Formed by: Belift Lab
Members: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki.
Despite their immense popularity, many fans have continued to mispronounce their name. The correct pronunciation is exactly as it's spelt ('en-hy-pen'), yet many pronounce the last two syllables as 'hyphen'.
ALSO READ | New to ENHYPEN? Start here: Must-listen songs for new Engenes!
NiziU
Formed by: JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan
Members: Mako, Rio, Maya, Riku, Ayaka, Mayuka, Rima, Miihi, and Nina.
Since their recent Korean debut, many K-pop fans have been tuning in to listen to this Japanese girl group. However, in Japanese, the group's name is technically pronounced to how one might presume: 'ni-ji-yu'. However, the group's Korean name is a play on words pronounced 'need-you' ('ni-jyu').
CIX
Formed by: C9 Entertainment
Members: BX, Seunghun, Bae Jin-young, Yonghee and Hyunsuk.
The spelling or its similarity to AB6IX (another boy group) may see many fans pronouncing 'CIX' as just 'six'. However, in reality, it is supposed to be said as individual letters: 'see-eye-ex'.
TRI.BE
Formed by: TR Entertainment and Universal Music Group
Members: Songsun, Kelly, Hyunbin, Jia, Soeun and Mire.
This group is not as simple as the word 'tribe'. One must separate the name by the period, and it will get the correct pronunciation: 'try-bee'.
ILY:1
Formed by: FC ENM
Members: Hana, Ara, Rona, Ririka, Nayu and Elva.
Just like a user of common internet slang, fans' first instinct was to read it 'ILY' as the short form of 'I love you'. While the next most obvious pronunciation was to say each letter separately. However, the correct way to say it is 'Eye-lee-one'.
BLANK2Y
Formed by: Keystone Entertainment
Members: DK, Louis, Donghyuk, Siwoo, Mikey, U, Sungjun, and Sodam.
The '2' in the name is completely silent AND is pronounced as 'blan-kee'. However, for those who don't know, the number two in Korean is also pronounced 'ee'.
Which group name did you have difficulty pronouncing?