Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
최애 choe-ae
One's absolute, undisputed favorite member in a K-pop group.
What does 최애 mean?
최애 (choe-ae) means: One's absolute, undisputed favorite member in a K-pop group.
Speakers use this term to fiercely and proudly declare their absolute favorite member within a group, often contrasted with a second favorite. It appears in contexts discussing specific group members, such as when a person specifies which member of a group is their absolute favorite. In dialogue, it is used when asking and answering about specific favorites within a group setting, such as identifying a preferred member or character.
This can carry a strong sense of personal allegiance and passionate fandom loyalty, often signaling an intense, public declaration of preference.
This can carry a strong sense of personal allegiance and passionate fandom loyalty, often signaling an intense, public declaration of preference.
Other sides of 최애
◆ Casual Pop-Culture Preference — Speakers use this to name their top preference across a wide range of everyday categories, extending far beyond music groups. It pairs naturally with nouns representing personal interests, such as food, dramas, movies, brands, and characters. In conversation, speakers readily ask and answer questions about their current favorites in casual settings.
Applying this term to everyday objects like kimchi stew or coffee can sound playfully enthusiastic, borrowing the intense devotion of fandom culture for trivial preferences.
Applying this term to everyday objects like kimchi stew or coffee can sound playfully enthusiastic, borrowing the intense devotion of fandom culture for trivial preferences.
How it's actually used
- 이 가수가 이 그룹에서 나의 최애이다.
i ga-su-ga i geu-rob-e-seo na-ui choe-ae-i-da.
This singer is my absolute favorite in this group.
💡 Declaring an absolute favorite member within a group - 지수는 최애 가수의 노래를 직접 듣고 싶어서 콘서트에 갔다.
ji-su-neun choe-ae ga-su-ui no-rae-reul jik-jeop deut-go sip-eo-seo kon-seo-te-e gat-da.
Jisoo went to the concert because she wanted to hear her absolute favorite singer's songs in person.
💡 Explaining actions driven by devotion to a favorite artist - 민준아. 너는 이 영화의 최애 캐릭터가 누구야?
min-jun-a. neo-neun i yeong-hwa-ui choe-ae ka-ri-teo-ga nu-gu-ya?
Minjun, who is your absolute favorite character in this movie?
💡 Asking someone to name their absolute favorite