Dictionary — Entry No. 0567
가수
gasu · noun
가수
gasu
[KAH-soo]
nounbeginner
Meaning
Means ‘singer.’ It refers to any professional vocalist or musical performer. In Korean, 가수 is a prestigious identity — not just a job description but a recognized artistic status. The reality of K-Pop training systems means aspiring 가수들 often train for years before debuting.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
BTS, BLACKPINK, EXO, Stray Kids, and virtually every K-Pop act consists of 가수들 who trained extensively before debuting. The reality show ‘나는 가수다 (I Am a Singer)’ put the word in mainstream spotlight by pitting established 가수들 against each other. In ‘Dream High,’ the entire drama revolves around students at a performing arts school chasing their dream of becoming a 가수.
Example Sentences
저는 가수가 되고 싶어요.
Jeoneun gasuga doego sipeoyo.
I want to become a singer. (The defining sentence of K-Pop trainee culture — said by countless idols in debut documentaries.)
BTS는 세계적으로 유명한 가수예요.
BTS-neun segyejeogeuro yumyeonghan gasuye-yo.
BTS is a world-famous singer group. (세계적으로 = globally/worldwide — a word that genuinely applies to K-Pop in 2024.)
좋아하는 가수가 누구예요?
Joahana gasuga nuguye-yo?
Who is your favorite singer? (The first question K-Pop fans ask each other — a universal K-Pop icebreaker.)
⚠️ Don’t use gasu when…
가수 (singer/vocalist) and 아이돌 (idol) overlap but aren’t identical — 아이돌 is a broader performance-and-entertainment identity, while 가수 focuses on singing. Some members of idol groups are primarily known as dancers or rappers rather than 가수. Use 가수 when emphasizing the vocal/musical aspect specifically.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Dream High — the entire series follows students at Kirin Arts High School pursuing their dream of becoming a 가수, making it a definitive K-Drama portrait of K-Pop ambition and sacrifice.
- K-Pop: BTS — ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1’ era (Jungkook’s childhood dream of becoming a 가수 is documented in their early content, resonating deeply with fans who share that aspiration)
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.