Do you know their real names?
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At first, BLACKPINK Jennie, ASTRO Moonbin, ATEEZ San and more probably made you think they are using stage names, but these are actually their real names! Keep reading to know more idols with unusual real names.
In K-pop, it is normal for an idol to have a stage name, especially if it's hard to pronounce or if it isn't catchy enough for their foreign fans. But most of the time, idols prefer to keep their real names for various reasons.
While the following idols do the latter, it is interesting that even if they keep their real names, the majority of K-pop enthusiasts mistake them as stage names, what is shocking is that even local fans are also confused!
Here are 11 K-pop Idols Whose Names Sound Like Stage Names But are Actually Their Real Names:
1. BLACKPINK Jennie
(Photo : Jennie (Instagram))
Although the name Jennie may sound like an English name, it is actually the BLACKPINK main rapper's real Korean name.
Initially, fans thought that since Jennie was raised in New Zealand, it is possible that the parents of the idol chose a convenient name that could be easily pronounced in Korea and abroad.
But fun fact! Her mother was said to be a huge fan of "Squid Game" star Lee Jung Jae that she decided to name her after the actor's hit role Jae Hee from the 90s movie, "Sandglass."
2. NCT Dream Jeno
(Photo : Jeno Instagram)
Jeno doesn't sound like an English name and it is also not a usual name given in Korea, that's why the male idol's name is always mistaken as a stage name.
However, it is indeed his birth name, inspired by Hanja characters which means "Strong King" in Korean.
3. Sandara Park
(Photo : Dara (Instagram))
Although the former 2NE1 grew up in the Philippines, Sandara always used her Korean birth name. But interestingly, Korean fans revealed that her name is actually unusual even for them.
In context, most Korean names are comprised of two syllables, but Sandara has three syllables, the reason even natives sometimes confuse it as her stage name.
4. WayV YangYang
(Photo : Yangyang (Instagram))
YangYang feels like a nickname, which is why some fans think that it's the male idol's stage name. However, Liu YangYang, hereinafter Yang Yang, is actually his birth name in China!
5. TWICE Momo
(Photo : Momo (Instagram))
Momo is undoubtedly a pretty name, and it could be mistaken as a stage name. Nonetheless, it is the real name of the TWICE member.
Born in Japan, Hirai Momo means "peach" in the country, a perfect name for the beautiful idol.
6. ATEEZ San
(Photo : San (Instagram))
Both in Korea and international countries, San sounds nice and unique, a perfect name to be a stage name. But San is no doubt the male idol's real name.
7. Pentagon Yan An
(Photo : Yanan (Instagram))
As aforementioned, Korean names usually have two syllables, that's why it is normal to mistake the name Yan An as his first name. But nope! Yan An is actually the male star's complete name!
Yan is his surname, while An is his given name.
Seems like the idol received a lot of confused responses about his birth name, that he decided to choose "Kim" as his last name. And his reason? It's because he likes KIM-chi!
8. ASTRO Moon Bin
(Photo : Moonbin (Instagram))
The same case with Yan An, Moonbin would truly sound like the perfect stage for the male idol, but surprisingly, it is indeed his birth name!
Moon is his surname and Bin is his given name.
Amazingly, the world seems to know that Moon Bin will be going to become a star someday, as he debuted in a K-pop group named ASTRO, which means "star" in Spanish! Moon and star, a perfect combination!
9. MAMAMOO Moonbyul
(Photo : Moonbyul Instagram)
Moonbyul is undoubtedly a lovely name that even MAMAMOO fans can mistake as a stage name. In particular, "Byul" means star in Korean, and coincidentally, her co-member used the stage name Solar.
However, it is really her birth name, a name that suits her best that reflects that she's indeed a "true star" in the K-pop scene.
10. SEVENTEEN Vernon
(Photo : Vernon (Instagram) )
If you're not a fan of SEVENTEEN, Vernon is a name that could be easily mistaken for a stage name.
However, it is actually part of his real name! The male idol was born Hansol Vernon Chwe (Choi Hansol). Although his given name is Hansol, Vernon is the maiden surname of her mother, making it still a part of his birth name.
11. BoA
(Photo : BoA Instagram)
BoA sounds like a strong stage name for an idol, which also shares the same name with a certain species of a snake called common boa.
Stylized with the capital letter "A", BoA just really gave up that impression of a stage bane but it is actually the idol's real name, originally spelled as Kwon Bo Ah.
