The name of idol groups is one of the interesting things that most fans, if not all, pay attention to as it holds deep meanings that can be about their goals, their characteristics, and more. Sometimes, K-pop acts are given names that come with numbers in it, however, these numbers don't actually represent the quantity of members.
9 K-pop Groups Whose Name Has Numbers That Don't Match the Quantity of Members
2NE1
ALSO READ: 9 K-pop Groups With Several Albums That Sold Over One Million Copies Each
2NE1 is probably one of the popular idol groups with numbers in their name. For starters, the group name is a unique stylization of the phrase "New Evolution of the 21st Century." Although "2NE1" sounds like the number 21, it doesn't mean that the band is composed of 21 members.
If you're a Blackjack, you would know that 2NE1 only consisted of four members: CL, Dara, Minzy, and Bom.
NCT 127
Next, we have NCT's second sub-unit NCT 127. The "127" in their name doesn't actually represent the number of members, but it refers to the longitudinal coordinate of this sub-unit's home city, which is Seoul, South Korea. The sub-unit is made up of 10 members. Currently, only nine members are active.
Seven O'Clock
Seven O'Clock may have the number "seven" in their name but the K-pop boy group actually debuted with only six members. But the band eventually had seven members when one member left and two new members were added in 2019 and 2020. Seven O'Clock, however, had disbanded in March 2021.
Bolbbalgan4
READ MORE: 4th-Gen Idols Who Are Currently Popular for THIS Reason: NMIXX Haewon, More
The number "4" in the name isn't related to the lineup of members as Bolbbalgan4 is actually a duo, consisting of Ahn Jiyoung and Woo Jiyoon.
Their Korean name is 볼빨간 사춘기, which sounds like Bolbbalgan Sachungi and means "blushing youth." The number "4" in Korean is 'sa' so the English name is just Bolbbalgan Sa, which is then changed to Bolbbalgan4.
Unfortunately, Bolbbalgan4 is only now composed of one member, Ahn Jiyoung.
E7
Despite having the number "7" in their name, E7 (or Excellent 7) was only a six-member boy group. They debuted in August 2012 but presumably disbanded sometime in 2013.
LC9
LC9 or League of Competition #9 didn't have nine members but only six. But, they disbanded with only five members as E.Den left in 2014, while they ended their group activities in 2015.
8eight
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 7 Iconic Lines in K-Pop Songs That We Can't Get Enough Of
The last K-pop group on our list is 8eight, which only had three members. The boys were named 8eight with the symbol "8" standing for the infinity symbol "∞". Their name means they wish to be a group with an infinite career.
BONUS!
SEVENTEEN
While the name "SEVENTEEN" has no number in it, the name itself is a number. However, the boy group doesn't have 17 members but 13. Their group name derives from the expression "13 members + 3 units + 1 team." SEVENTEEN's three units are the vocal, hip-hop, and performance.
In addition to that, they were named SEVENTEEN as it was the average age of the members when they were formed as a group. But, it is said that the group was called as such because they were supposed to debut with 17 members but four of them left the agency.
PENTAGON
Like SEVENTEEN, no number can also be found in the name "PENTAGON" but it does have something to do with numbers. As many of us know, a pentagon is a figure with five sides.
However, the K-pop group PENTAGON has a total of 10 members. They got their name because of the goal of becoming a perfect group by possessing the five essential elements: vocal/rap, dance, teamwork, talent, and mind. At present, the band has nine members left.
Do you know other K-pop groups whose names have numbers, which don't actually represent the quantity of members? Name them below!
For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.
KpopStarz owns this article
Written by Maria Scott
