Second and third generation idols helped push K-Pop into the global spotlight. This quiz looks at key groups, eras and hit tracks from those formative years.
What is a lightstick in K-Pop fan culture?
A studio-only tool for adjusting stage lighting
A limited edition snack box sold at airports
An official glowing stick used by fans at concerts
A small microphone used only during dance practice
What does the word selca commonly mean in K-Pop and Korean internet slang?
A live broadcast studio
A self-taken photo or selfie
A concert sound check session
A special type of dance break
Which position in a K-Pop group is usually responsible for speaking first in interviews and guiding members?
The main dancer
The lightstick designer
The leader
The visual
In K-Pop vocabulary, what does the word maknae refer to?
The main producer of the group
The fan who runs the largest account
The leader who manages schedules
The youngest member of the group
Why are music show wins often a big milestone for K-Pop groups?
They allow the group to take ownership of the music show channel
They guarantee that the group will never change line-ups again
They mark the final performance before a group disbands
They show a mix of sales, votes and performance recognition during a promotion period
What does OST stand for when people discuss K-Pop and K-Drama music?
Online Support Team
Overseas Sales Target
Original Soundtrack
Official Stage Training
What does the phrase all-kill usually celebrate when mentioned in K-Pop chart discussions?
A song ranking first place across multiple major real-time charts at once
A fan event where every album is given away for free
A group announcing a complete break from making music
A show where only one group is allowed to perform
What is one feature that often distinguishes K-Pop performance stages from many other pop stages?
Performing only while sitting at desks
Using no lighting or visual effects at all
Highly synchronised group choreography and visual formations
Avoiding any movement on stage to keep costs low
What does the term second generation, or 2nd gen, broadly describe in K-Pop discussions?
Producers who only compose trot music
Groups that rose in the late 2000s and early 2010s with expanding international reach
Only the trainees who have never debuted
Exclusive fan clubs limited to one city
What does the term comeback usually mean in K-Pop fandoms?
A group permanently retires from the industry
A new release and promotion period for a group or artist
A fan stops listening to K-Pop entirely
A company changes its name and logo
Starter
You recognise some classic names, but second and third gen history still feels patchy.
Solid
You track most 2nd and 3rd gen groups and hits, missing only a few detailed points.
Expert!
You treat K-Pop history like a timeline, placing second and third gen eras with confidence.
