Korean Dictionary
How to say "Become a Fan" in Korean
“Become a Fan” in Korean is 입덕 (pronounced "ipdeok").
입덕
ipdeok
Usage & Context
Abbreviation meaning to become a fan of someone or something. Used in fan culture to describe the moment someone starts supporting a celebrity or group.
Example Sentence
나 그 배우에 입덕했어.
I became a fan of that actor.
How to use 입덕 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Become a Fan” is 입덕, romanized as ipdeok.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
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 입덕.
Pronunciation Guide
'입' (ip) is a short, crisp sound like 'ip' in 'chip'. '덕' (deok) sounds like the English word 'duck'. Combine them: IP-deok.
More Example Sentences
Excitingly telling a friend about a new favorite.
그 아이돌 그룹 무대 보고 바로 입덕했잖아!
I saw that idol group's performance and immediately became a fan!
Asking for recommendations or entry points into a fandom.
어떻게 하면 이 드라마에 입덕할 수 있을까요?
How can I become a fan of this drama?
Explaining how one got into a fandom.
친구 덕분에 K-pop에 입덕하게 됐어요.
Thanks to my friend, I became a K-pop fan.
Cultural Context
입덕 is a portmanteau of '입문' (ipmun, entry/introduction) and '오덕후' (odeokhu, otaku/fanatic). It's a core term in Korean fan culture, especially K-pop and K-drama fandoms, signifying the precise moment or process of becoming a fan. It's often used with '하다' (to do) as '입덕하다'. The opposite is '탈덕' (taldeok).
Editorial note
We flag slang like 입덕 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
입덕 부정기
The denial phase of becoming a fan (humorous)
입덕 요정
"Fairy of becoming a fan" (a person/thing that makes others become fans)
입덕 문턱
The threshold to becoming a fan (the point of no return)
Related Expressions
덕질
deokjil
Fandom activities, being a fan
팬 되다
paen doeda
To become a fan (more general)
최애
choiae
Ultimate favorite (often the result of 입덕)
탈덕
taldeok
To stop being a fan (antonym)
More Slang Words
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