As you explore the vibrant world of K-pop, you'll soon come across a variety of terms that define the roles of each group member. Words like "Leader," "Maknae," "Main Rapper," "Lead Dancer," and "Visual" are commonly used, and sometimes an idol holds multiple roles. These titles are key to understanding how a group operates and why fans become so attached to each member.
If you're new to K-pop, these terms might feel a little overwhelming at first. But for seasoned fans, it’s second nature to recognize which member fills which role, and discussions about these positions are a big part of K-pop culture. Media outlets also frequently reference these titles, often highlighting idols with phrases like “EXO’s Main Rapper Chanyeol” or “ATEEZ’s Leader Hongjoong.”
So, what exactly do these titles mean? If you’re a bit lost, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with an explanation of some of the most common positions you’ll encounter in K-pop groups:
In any group or organization, the leader is typically the person in charge, responsible for guiding and overseeing the others. This holds true in K-pop groups as well, where the leader plays a crucial role in maintaining harmony, motivating the members, and representing the group in public settings.
The leader often takes charge of speaking engagements at award ceremonies, interviews, and other public events, acting as the voice of the group. Beyond this, the leader is responsible for supporting the other members, listening to their concerns, and mediating conflicts when disagreements arise. It’s also common for the leader to be the one who communicates with the agency when the group faces challenges.
Although the leader is often the oldest member of the group, this isn’t always the case. The leader is typically chosen based on their maturity, experience, and ability to guide the group effectively. In many K-pop bands, the members themselves vote for their leader, selecting the individual who has demonstrated leadership qualities, regardless of age.
Here are a few examples of K-pop groups where the leader is the oldest member:
However, there are many instances where the leader is not the oldest member. In these cases, the leader’s maturity or past experiences within the group make them the natural choice to lead. Here are some examples of K-pop groups where the leader is not the oldest:
As you can see, the leader’s role is about more than just age—it’s about the ability to support and guide the group with wisdom and experience. The leader is often the pillar the group can rely on, helping to create unity and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
In the K-pop industry, the leader role is often filled by one member who leads the group, manages conflicts, and represents the band publicly. However, did you know that some K-pop groups don’t have a single leader at all? Instead, these groups share leadership responsibilities, often working together to make decisions and solve problems as a collective.
These groups tend to be smaller in size, allowing the members to take on leadership roles equally or alternately. Here are some examples of K-pop groups where leadership is shared:
Groups like Miss A and JYJ, which debuted in 2010, are often credited as pioneers of the no-leader concept in K-pop. In these groups, the absence of a designated leader allows for a more democratic approach to decision-making, where each member’s voice is valued equally.
Interestingly, there are also groups where multiple members hold leadership roles—this is often seen in larger groups, where dividing responsibilities can help manage the different aspects of the group’s activities.
In larger K-pop groups, it’s not uncommon for leadership to be divided across different members, especially when the group is split into sub-units. Here are a few examples of groups where multiple members hold leadership positions:
SEVENTEEN – This 13-member group is divided into three units: the Vocal Unit, the Performance Unit, and the Hip-Hop Unit. Each unit has its own leader:
NCT – Known for its multiple sub-units, NCT has a leader for each unit:
ONF – This six-member group is divided into two teams: On (focused on vocals) and Off (focused on choreography). The leaders of these teams are:
TREASURE – This 10-member group has two leaders, with leadership responsibilities split between the eldest member, Choi Hyunsuk, and the second eldest, Jihoon.
In the world of K-pop, the term “maknae” refers to the youngest member of a group. While it’s widely used in the K-pop industry, it’s also a term common throughout South Korea. The Korean word 막내 (maknae) simply means "youngest," and it doesn’t just apply to K-pop groups—it can also refer to the youngest person in a family or among a group of friends or colleagues.
Here are some well-known maknaes from our favorite K-pop groups:
In the K-pop world, you'll often hear about other types of maknaes, each with their own unique twist! Here are some fun variations:
Fake Maknae:
These are idols who might not be the youngest but are often mistaken for the maknae because of their youthful appearance or behavior. Fans sometimes get confused because these idols seem like they belong to the youngest spot in the group.
Evil Maknae:
Evil maknaes are the mischievous ones! Instead of acting cute and innocent, these maknaes are known for their playful pranks and cheeky behavior toward older members. They’re sharp-tongued and don’t mind challenging the older members, all in good fun!
Some famous “evil maknaes” include:
Even today, many groups have their own version of the evil maknae:
As the name suggests, giant maknaes are the youngest members who are notably taller than the rest of the group. They stand
out, not just for their age, but for their height! One famous example is Wonyoung from IVE, who was known for her impressive height during her time in IZ*ONE.
Other examples of giant maknaes include:
In K-pop, the visual refers to the member who is considered the most physically attractive, often embodying Korean beauty ideals. While beauty is subjective, the visual is typically regarded as the one who stands out the most in terms of appearance.
The visual is often called the "face of the group," as they
represent the band visually in public appearances, photoshoots, and promotional materials. However, some people distinguish between the two concepts: the visual is the member who is considered the best-looking, while the face of the group is the most well-known member—the one fans often associate first with the group. Sometimes, the visual and the face of the group may be the same person, but this isn't always the case.
Here are a few famous visuals from K-pop groups:
Center – The Spotlight Performer
The center is the member who is typically placed in the middle during performances, particularly during the chorus of a song. This member often receives the most screen time in music videos and live stages. While the center can be the visual or the best dancer, this position can also go to someone else depending on the group’s choreography. In many groups, the center changes with each comeback, keeping things fresh.
Main Vocal, Main Rapper, Main Dancer – The Key Roles
Main Vocal:
The main vocal is the member known for having the best singing ability in the group. They often take the most challenging vocal lines in songs.
Main Dancer:
The main dancer is the one who stands out as the best dancer, taking charge of intense choreography and often receiving the most difficult dance parts.
Main Rapper:
The main rapper is the most skilled rapper in the group, often responsible for the rap sections in songs.
In larger groups, one person may hold one of these positions, while in smaller groups, multiple members can share the same role. Sometimes, a member may even hold multiple positions.
Here are some examples of K-pop idols in these roles:
Main Vocal:
Main Dancer:
Main Rappers:
There are also cases where one member excels in multiple roles, like Hayoung from fromis_9, who is both the main vocalist and main dancer, or Taeyang from Big Bang, who is a main vocalist, main dancer, and even a main rapper in some performances.
What is the difference between main, lead, and sub vocal?
In K-pop, you may have noticed the different vocal titles such as main vocal, lead vocal, and sub vocal. These titles help define each member’s role in a group based on their vocal ability. Here's a simple breakdown of what each term means:
Main Vocal: The main vocalist is typically the best singer in the group, known for having excellent technique and being able to handle the most challenging vocal lines in the songs.
Lead Vocal: The lead vocalist is the second-best singer in the group, after the main vocalist. They still have impressive vocal skills but usually take on less difficult parts than the main vocal.
Sub Vocal: The sub vocal is still a strong singer, but their parts are generally not as complex as those of the main or lead vocalist. The term sub isn't always used explicitly in many cases; the position is often just referred to as "vocal" without any further designation.
While this system may seem a bit rigid, it helps fans understand each member’s vocal strengths, especially in newer groups. Over time, however, these roles can evolve. As groups mature and members grow as artists, their abilities become more versatile, and titles like "main dancer" or "vocal" may no longer fully capture their range. Some main dancers may go on to release solo albums, and vocalists can wow audiences with their dancing!
Let’s take a look at how this works in a K-pop group:
ATEEZ:
As you can see, each member of ATEEZ has their own specific title, showing their strengths in different areas. This classification helps fans appreciate the diversity of talents within a group while also providing clarity on each member’s role in the overall performance.
While main, lead, and sub vocals play an important part in K-pop’s structured system, these roles evolve as the artists themselves continue to grow and showcase their skills in new and exciting ways.
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