Learning a new language can be a challenge, especially if you don’t have any friends who speak it. So as much as we love BTS and their super cool music videos, they probably won’t help you learn Korean anytime soon (sorry). But that doesn’t mean you can’t hack your way to learning the K-pop idols’ native tongue. The best way to learn a foreign language is through consistent practice. However, in our over-scheduled lives, this is easier said than done. Fortunately for you, we have some tips on how to learn Korean through BTS without actually learning Korean from BTS (but perhaps with them instead?). Read on for 10 ways to learn Korean through BTS…

Watch and read your way to fluency

One of the first things you can do to gain exposure to the Korean language is to watch Korean TV and read Korean books. When you watch Korean-language TV shows, you’ll start to familiarize yourself with Korean speech rhythms, which will make it easier to understand native Korean speakers and their accents. Also, when you watch Korean shows, you’ll be exposed to different types of Korean speech, like the formal and informal levels of speech, and can observe how people talk in real life. And when you read Korean books, you’ll be able to engage with the written language in a more interactive way. You can try reading your favorite BTS band member’s autobiography to learn more about their lives, or reading the lyrics of their hit songs (and also to learn more of their lyrics, if that’s your thing).

Use BTS lyrics to learn Korean vocabulary

Most of BTS’s songs are in Korean, so you can use them to boost your Korean vocabulary. However, when you look up the meaning of each word in a Korean-English dictionary, you may not understand the context. In order to fully understand the language, you need to see how the words are used in a sentence. To do this, take a notebook and write down one word at a time from each song’s lyrics, then search for its meaning in a Korean-English dictionary. Next, add the definitions to your notebook sentences you created earlier. You can even add a picture to help yourself remember the word and the sentence with that word by using the “remember” feature on your phone.

Learn the K-pop slang

When you’re learning a language, it’s also important to understand the cultural context, which includes its slang. K-pop is a massive cultural phenomenon in South Korea, so they use a lot of K-pop slang in their conversations. You can use these expressions in real-life conversations—just make sure to use them correctly, or you may inadvertently offend your Korean friends. Learn phrases like “I’m hitting the gym today” (오늘 해외에 합시다), “I’m going to the dermatologist today” (오늘 자연과 가다), “I’m going to the hairdresser today” (오늘 샤워하고 가다), and “I’m going to the dentist today” (오늘 치아 가다) to make your daily itinerary more interesting.

Watch BTS music videos with subtitles to learn Korean

Another great way to learn Korean is to watch BTS music videos with subtitles. By watching the different videos with their subtitles on, you can learn how the lyrics are pronounced and how the language is spoken. You can use your computer or laptop to do this. Simply search the name of the BTS song you want to study with subtitles on YouTube, and you should be able to find the lyrics in Korean and English. While you’re at it, why not try to mimic the pronunciation of your favorite member?

Make flashcards of key words you learn in Korean

Flashcards are a great way to help you retain information, and the best part is that you can make them on your phone. By taking note of the key words that you come across in your BTS learning journey, you can create flashcards on your phone to test yourself on them later. This will help you remember the Korean words and phrases longer, which is great for building fluency.

Get a K-pop playlist for continued exposure

Listening to music can improve your mood, help you to concentrate better, and can also make you more fluent in a new language. And since BTS makes music, you can use their songs to help you learn Korean. You can just plug in your headphones and listen to your favourite BTS tracks, or you can make a playlist of other K-pop songs to help you learn Korean. You can use this playlist to improve your listening skills and pronunciation, and to help you build fluency in the Korean language.

Go to karaoke with your friends who speak Korean

Learning a language is also about engaging in conversations with people who speak that language. If you don’t have any Korean-speaking friends, you can try going to karaoke with your BTS-loving friends who speak Korean. This is a great way to practice your pronunciation, learn more about the language, and have fun at the same time. You can also try writing lyrics to your favourite BTS songs and singing them with your friends. This is a great way to engage with the language, and you’re likely to naturally incorporate the new words you’ve learned into your songs. And while you’re at it, you can also try writing the lyrics to BTS’s songs in Korean. This is a great way to practice writing in Korean, and it’s also a great gift for your BTS-loving friends who are learning Korean.

Attend a Korean language class with fellow fans

If you’re really intent on learning Korean, you can even attend a Korean language class. There are schools and communities where you can learn Korean and interact with other people who share your interest. You can even find and join a BTS-themed Korean language class if there’s one near you. Learning a new language can be a challenge, especially if you don’t have any friends who speak it. So as much as we love BTS and their super cool music videos, they probably won’t help you learn Korean anytime soon (sorry). But that doesn’t mean you can’t hack your way to learning the K-pop idols’ native tongue. With these 10 tips, you’ll be fluent in no time!