The Culture of Oppa-Calling to Idols
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As you guys know, like the title above, many K-Pop idols are oftenly being called “oppa”. Actually, “oppa” is used by the younger women to called her older brother or men that older than her to respect them, whether they’re 10 years older than her or 1 year older than her. It’s the same as “noona” that the younger men used to call the older women. According to a blog page in Amino Apps, these terms are used when the two people get to a certain relationship, the older person would usually say “hey you can call me (correct term)”, and that’s when it would start to be used. This is a very important thing to do in Korea as it shows respect, and the culture in Korea in terms of respect is very serious.
But then, in K-Pop society, many fans, especially fangirls started to call the idols that actually younger than them with “oppa”, too. And many of them didn’t see this as a rude thing to do. But what that we didn’t really aware that this thing, sometimes could definitely became a different reason and meaning, and sometimes put that into sexualizing them. As this “Oppa-calling” made some pros and cons, let’s take a look to some K-Pop idols who oftenly being called “oppa” by them who are much older than them. So, without any further ado, let’s get to the main topic.
BTS’ V
BTS’ V is one of the male idol group that known for his unique personality. His easy-going traits that made him didn’t even bother when any fangirl that much older than him called him “oppa”.
V even told one of BTS’ fan to told the guys who bothered her that he was her boyfriend. It was at 2018 BTS fan signing, V could be seen telling one lucky fan something that made them green with envy.
“You look like a lot of guys would want to contact you, am I right?” said V.
He then became quite protective and told her the sweetest thing in the case anyone ever bothered her.
“If you think they aren’t that great, or if you don’t really like them, give them oppa’s [my] name,” V continued.
Well, who didn’t get envy with this?
BTS’ Jungkook
The opposite thing is happen with BTS’ Jungkook’s fans. While V is voluntereed himself to be called “boyfriend”, Jungkook actually hates it when there are those fans who much older than him called him “oppa”.
Although “Oppa” in Korea is meant to give a lot of respect, Jungkook doesn’t seem to be happy when he hears his fans saying it.
But recently, according to some portal news, after years of protesting, Jungkook finally gives permission to ARMY to called him “oppa”. It seems like Jungkook has gotten more used to being an oppa by his fans.
EXO’s Sehun
EXO’s Sehun is known as the maknae of the group. But such as BTS’ V, Sehun didn’t seem to bothered it when his fans called him “oppa”. But Sehun once said that her “noona” fans would stop called him “oppa”.
EXO’s Sehun is one of the K-Pop idol that people barely understand how the Sehun really like. The Korean fans couldn’t tell how Sehun’s personality is. He can suddenly became cute and just about another second he coldly refuse to answer fan’s question. Back in 2018, Sehun called Korean fans are childish on livestream. But then his blunt personality is what makes him deserve respect.
SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu
SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu is another K-Pop idol that didn’t seem too much troubled when his fans called him “oppa”.
Mingyu was born in 1997 and he is the “Face of the Group” for SEVENTEEN. The meaning behind his name is that Min means ‘precious gem stone’ and Gyu means ‘star’. He is a precious gem stone that shines like a star.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2g7qoUF8vw
BLACKPINK’s Lisa
Lisa is the rapper and maknae from Korean female idol group BLACKPINK. And although she is a female, many fans called her “Lisa-oppa”.
“Lisa-oppa” is BLINK (BLACKPINK’s fandom name)’s favorite nickname for Lisa. They said that it has more to do with her personality and how she interacts with her fellow members.
Some women might find it uncomfortable to be called by a masculine pet name, but Lisa doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, she has lots of fun with it. When fans called her oppa during this live broadcast, she laughed and applauded. This iconic nickname is believed to have originated as a response to a viral video clip called Lisa is oppa… that has since been deleted from YouTube, due to copyright infringement.
