What Do Sunbae and Hoobae Mean? A K-Pop Culture Deep Dive with Bada & K-Demon Hunters
So lately, I’ve been looping Hutrix’s “Golden” non-stop
(나 요즘 Golden에 완전 빠졌어~ㅎㅎ 👉You can check what that means here),
but you know what really blew me away?😲
Bada’s cover.
Yep, that Bada — the legendary member of S.E.S.
Let me tell you — her version of "Golden"?
It hit different. So powerful, so emotional, and just... golden.😭💝
When she sang
🎵 “I’m done hidin’,
now I’m shinin’
like I’m born to be”🎵
I got chills. It didn’t feel like she was just singing — it felt like she was living the lyrics.👍
Go watch her video — you’ll definitely feel why Bada’s version gave me chills ^^
And there’s a reason it hit so deep — she’s not just any singer.
She debuted way back in the first generation of K-pop,☝
so in Korea, we call her a 시조새 [shi-jo-sae].
(Yes, that actually means archaeopteryx, the bird-dinosaur^^;;)
It’s a funny nickname, but it means she was there at the beginning of it all —
basically the OG queen unnie of all girl groups 👑
As a legendary K-pop idol, Bada truly represents the heart of K-pop culture.
Because of that, most idols today call her 선배님 [sunbae-nim],
which means respected senior —
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선배님 – a respectful way to say “senior” in Korean ^^💓 |
and naturally, Bada has lots of 후배 [hoobae], or juniors, in the K-pop world.
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후배 – someone who debuted later or is
junior in age or experience ^^💓 |
💛Pronunciation Tip!
선배 [sun-bae] = senior (someone who debuted or started before you)
후배 [hoo-bae] = junior (someone who came after you)
Add “님 [nim]” for extra respect — like sunbaenim~
💜 K-pop Generations 101
K-pop idols are often grouped into generations, kinda like school years or waves:
- 1st Gen (late 1990s – early 2000s): H.O.T, S.E.S., Fin.K.L, g.o.d
- 2nd Gen (mid-2000s – early 2010s): TVXQ, Girls’ Generation, BIGBANG, Wonder Girls
- 3rd Gen (2013–2017): BTS, EXO, TWICE, BLACKPINK
- 4th Gen (2018–2022): Stray Kids, ATEEZ, ITZY, TXT
- 5th Gen (2023–present): NewJeans, ZEROBASEONE, ILLIT, TWS
So even if idols are close in age, what really matters is when they debuted.
Back in the day, even just a few months apart could define a strict 선후배 (senior-junior) relationship.
💜 The Old K-pop Etiquette (Pre-COVID Days)
Before COVID-19, it was considered proper etiquette for hoobae idols
to visit their sunbaes’ waiting rooms before a music show —
just to bow, say hello, and wish them a great stage.😊
This wasn’t just about politeness —
it was a meaningful ritual of showing respect, gratitude, and humility.^^
💜 But Times Are Changing...
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, those backstage visits have mostly disappeared.
And as newer 4th and 5th gen idols debut,
the lines between sunbae and hoobae are slowly fading —
especially among idols from the same generation.
Instead of strict hierarchy, there’s more of a friend-like vibe,
and many artists now focus on collaboration, mutual respect,
and just being comfy peers.💕
The culture is shifting —
but that deep-rooted concept of sunbae/hoobae still quietly lives on.😊
It’s like a soft thread connecting generations of K-pop idols.💖
💜 Even in K-Dramas: Sunbae / Hoobae Is Everywhere!
One of my favorite moments is in K-pop Demon Hunters,
when Huntrix slides down the ball pool 😆ㅎㅎ
Right before that, Rumi says:
"We just wanted to stop by and congratulate our hoobaes on their debut and..."
This moment in K-pop Demon Hunters really shows how the sunbae/hoobae culture plays out in K-dramas too.
It’s playful, sure — but it reflects the same cultural mindset.
Huntrix debuted earlier, so they’re the 선배,
and the Saja Boys are their 후배.
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Even in K-dramas, school life, or the workplace —
you’ll hear sunbae / hoobae used all the time in Korean life.
So the next time you hear someone say:
“선배님~" or “후배~”
You will know — it’s more than just words.
It’s about legacy, respect, and a beautiful sense of connection.💓
Isn’t that kinda… golden? ⭐🤩
With love,
Hangeulia😊
