Korean Dictionary

How to say "Idol debut" in Korean

Idol debut” in Korean is 데뷔 (pronounced "Debut").

데뷔

Debut

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Usage & Context

The official public launch of a K-pop idol group or solo artist. 데뷔하다 (to debut). Debut days are meticulously planned events with intense fan anticipation. Trainees (연습생) can train for years before debuting. A group's debut concept sets the tone for their entire image and music direction.

Example Sentence

그 그룹이 내년에 데뷔한다는 소식을 들었어요.

I heard that group will debut next year.

How to use 데뷔 naturally

Quick answer

The Korean word for “Idol debut” is 데뷔, romanized as Debut.

Usage tip

Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.

Common mistake

Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 데뷔.

Pronunciation Guide

Pronounce 'De-bwi'. 'De' sounds like 'deh' in 'debt'. 'Bwi' sounds like 'bwee' in 'sweet' but with a 'b' sound at the beginning. The 'wi' part is a single syllable.

More Example Sentences

Discussing an upcoming K-pop group's first appearance.

그 신인 그룹은 다음 달에 데뷔해요.

That rookie group will debut next month.

A fan expressing excitement for a new artist's first album.

데뷔 앨범이 정말 기대돼요!

I'm really looking forward to their debut album!

Talking about an actor's early career start.

그 배우는 어릴 때 아역으로 데뷔했어요.

That actor debuted as a child actor when they were young.

Cultural Context

In K-pop, '데뷔' (debut) is a monumental event. Trainees often spend years honing their skills before getting the chance to debut. A group's debut concept, music video, and showcase are meticulously planned to make a strong first impression. Fans eagerly await '데뷔 무대' (debut stage) performances on music shows, which are crucial for gaining recognition.

Editorial note

We review entries like 데뷔 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.

Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.

Common Phrases

데뷔하다

To debut

데뷔곡

Debut song

데뷔 무대

Debut stage

Related Expressions

연습생

Yeonseupsaeng

Trainee

컴백

Keombaek

Comeback (new music release)

쇼케이스

Syokeiseu

Showcase

신인

Sin-in

Rookie, newcomer

More Culture Words

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