Internet
nugu
What does nugu mean?
A little-known group with a small fanbase and low public recognition. Sometimes used dismissively, sometimes affectionately by underground-group fans.
"They were a total nugu group before that one song blew up."
Origin
Korean 누구 (nugu), 'who?', implying nobody knows them.
Frequently asked questions
What does nugu mean in K-pop?
Nugu describes a small, relatively unknown idol group with a tiny fanbase and low public recognition.
Where does the word nugu come from?
It comes from the Korean word 누구 (nugu), meaning 'who?', implying the group is so obscure that people wouldn't know who they are.
Is calling a group nugu an insult?
It can be dismissive, but fans of smaller groups often use it affectionately or matter-of-factly to describe underground acts they support.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.