2026 Beginner’s Guide to Stanning a New K-Pop Group

Stanning a new K-pop group is a very specific kind of chaos. One minute you’ve watched a “one song” recommendation, the next you’re staring at eight people on stage like, “Okay but… who is who??”

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by names, eras, inside jokes, and a discography that looks like a small universe, this guide is for you. Here’s how to go from “I like that one song” to “I know the members, the b-sides, and the memes” without turning it into homework.

Start with the basics: who’s in the group and what they do.

How to learn faces and names:

• Look up a simple profile page and read it once. Don’t try to memorize everything yet.
• Watch member introduction videos or “guide to [Group Name]” videos. Faces stick faster when they’re moving and talking.
• Focus on 2–3 members at first, maybe the ones who stood out in the MV. You’ll naturally fill in the rest later.
• Notice distinct traits: hair, voice tone, position (leader, main vocal, main dancer, rapper, maknae), or little habits.

You can also:

• Make a little “who’s who” note on your phone with screenshots and names.
• Use color-coding (e.g., “blue hair rapper = X,” “high-note vocal = Y”) until you’re confident.

Don’t stress if it takes time, most fans needed weeks or months before they could tell everyone apart.

A big discography is a blessing and a headache. The trick is to structure how you explore it.

Start here:

1. Title tracks first – Make a playlist of all the main singles in order of release. This shows how their sound and concept evolved.
2. Then add 1–2 recommended b-sides per era – Look for fan-favorite or member-recommended songs.
3. Listen in eras or moods, not all at once – e.g., “today = early era”, “tomorrow = more recent releases.”

Some ideas:

• Make playlists like “starter pack,” “comfort songs,” “dance bops,” “sad hours” as you go.
• Pay attention to which voices you start recognizing, this will help tie members to parts in each song.
• Read basic lyric translations for a few favorites to understand what the group tends to sing about.

You’re not behind if you haven’t heard every single b-side yet, you’re just in your discovery arc.

Music videos show visuals; variety shows and vlogs show personalities.

To understand the group’s dynamic:

• Watch short interview clips first (comeback promos, challenge videos, “who’s most likely to” content).
• Find their own content – vlogs, behind-the-scenes, reality or variety shows produced by their company.
• Look for “funniest moments” or “chaotic moments” compilations, these pack a lot of personality into a few minutes.

While watching, notice:

• Who’s the chaotic one, the quiet one, the leader energy, the teasing duo, the soft mom friend.
• Running jokes (someone always losing rock-paper-scissors, a member who always mispronounces English words, etc.).
• How they talk to each other: this is where you’ll catch inside jokes that the fandom loves.

Lives (YouTube, Weverse, etc.) are also gold. Even if you don’t understand everything, you’ll see how members interact when things are less scripted.

Every fandom has its own shared brain cell: memes, quotes, cursed screenshots, and iconic chaos.

To catch up:

• Search “[Group Name] memes / moments / inside jokes” and take notes mentally on the big ones.
• Follow a couple of fan accounts that post clips + captions explaining the context.
• Look for threads like “new fans start here” or “fandom starter kit,” which often include important lore:
  • Nicknames for members
  • Famous live quotes
  • Legendary performances or mistakes that became jokes

If you don’t understand a meme:

• Read the replies or quote tweets, someone has usually explained it 10 times already.
• Don’t be scared to ask in a friendly space (Discord, GC, or comments on a fan account).

You don’t need to “know everything” to belong. Just picking up the core jokes slowly is enough to feel included.

To keep things fun and not overwhelming, make yourself a tiny stan system:

Ideas for your starter kit:

• A playlist of must-hear songs (titles + your top b-sides).
• A saved folder of favorite clips (funny moments, lives, performances).
• A simple bias + wrecker list (it will change, accept this).
• A note or Notion page with:
  • Member names + roles
  • Nicknames
  • Key inside jokes or quotes
  • “Watch later” links

You can also:

• Print or save a small photo chart of the members.
• Make a “start here” post or folder if you plan to drag a friend into the fandom later.

Most importantly, let yourself enjoy the process. You’re not taking a test; you’re building a new comfort corner of the internet.