If you’ve spent any time on K-POP Twitter or TikTok, you’ve probably seen phrases like “I stan BTS” or “She’s a NewJeans stan.”
This little word “stan” shows up everywhere in fan culture—but what does it actually mean?
Let’s take a closer look at one of the most common words in the K-POP fandom.
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What Does “Stan” Mean?
In short, “stan” means a hardcore fan—someone who is deeply devoted to a group or artist.
Compared to the word “fan,” stan feels a bit stronger, showing more passion and dedication toward idols.
You can use stan as both a noun and a verb:
I’m a BTS stan. / I stan BTS.
The Difference Between “Stan” and “Bias”
Both bias and stan are used when talking about your favorite idols,
but they describe different things.
- Bias is used for a specific member you love the most.
Example: Jimin is my bias. - Stan is used for the whole group or artist you support.
Example: I stan BTS.
Think of it this way — Bias = member, Stan = group.
So, “I stan BTS, and my bias is Jimin.” means “I support BTS, and my favorite member is Jimin.”
Phrases You Can Use on SNS
Here are some common expressions you’ll see (and can use!) on social media.
① I stan ___!
I’m a fan of ___! / I support ___!
- I stan BTS! 💜
- I stan NewJeans — they’re so talented!
② I’ve been stanning ___ since ___!
I’ve been a fan of ___ since ___.
- I’ve been stanning Stray Kids since 2018!
- I’ve been stanning SHINee since the “Lucifer” era.
③ We have no choice but to stan.
We can’t help but love them!
- She donated all her earnings to charity. We have no choice but to stan.
- That performance was amazing. We stan! 👏
“Stan” can sound playful or serious depending on context.
K-POP fans also say “We stan,” “stan culture,” or “multi-stan.”
Where Did the Word “Stan” Come From?
The term comes from “Stan,” a 2000 song by American rapper Eminem.
In the song, a fan named Stan becomes obsessed with his favorite artist.
Over time, the word spread online and came to mean a devoted fan—someone who truly supports their idol.
What Is a “Stan Account”?
On Twitter (X), Instagram, or TikTok, a stan account is an account dedicated only to supporting a favorite group or artist.
Many fans run a separate account just for posting about their bias or sharing fan edits.
You might see terms like:
- OT7 stan = a fan who supports all 7 members equally
- Multi-stan = a fan who supports multiple groups
If you’re exploring K-POP fandom online, keep an eye out for these profiles—they’re everywhere!
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