Want to know what sunbae means?
Here’s what sunbae means in school, work, and show biz!
Quick Summary
- Sunbae is a Korean term for someone with more experience or seniority in a particular setting, such as school, work, and even the entertainment industry.
- The concept of sunbae and its counterpart “hoobae” (junior) highlights the hierarchy in Korean culture.
1. Sunbae in Middle and High School
In elementary school, younger students don’t use the term “sunbae” to refer to older classmates.
Instead, they call them by more familiar and informal terms like unnie for older girls, oppa for older boys, hyung for an older male if you’re a boy, and noona for an older female if you’re a boy.
The concept of sunbae is more formally introduced in middle and high school, especially in extracurricular activities such as sports teams, music clubs, and school councils.
Some clubs, where hierarchy plays a bigger role, have strict seniority rules.
In this setting, hoobae (juniors) might even bow deeply, sometimes all the way to the floor, to show proper respect to their sunbae. It’s sometimes more so than to their teachers!
That being said, it’s still uncommon for students in middle and high school to address their seniors as sunbae in everyday interactions.
Instead, they often use unnie or oppa if they’re close.
The use of sunbae becomes more natural in adulthood.
2. Sunbae in College or University
Most Koreans start actively using the term “sunbae” in university when referring to students in higher grades.
College culture places great importance on the sunbae-hoobae relationship, as older students help freshmen adjust to campus life.
At university orientations, freshmen call their seniors sunbae-nim as a mark of respect. The “-nim” is an honorific suffix that elevates politeness, often used in professional or formal settings.
However, as relationships become more casual, we eventually drop nim and just say sunbae.
Sunbae often guides hoobae by sharing study tips, telling them which class or professor to avoid, and even introducing them to social circles.
In some cases, sunbae takes on a mentor-like role, influencing their hoobae’s academic and career paths.
This dynamic can be particularly strong in majors like law, medicine, or engineering, where networking is vital for internships and job opportunities.
3. Sunbae at Work
In Korean workplaces, sunbae refers to anyone who joined the company before you, regardless of age.
Unlike in school, where seniors are defined by grade level, in the workplace, a sunbae could be someone only a few months ahead of you.
At work, employees commonly address their seniors as sunbae-nim or simply by their title plus “-nim.”
For example, instead of calling a senior colleague sunbae, they might say Daeri-nim (meaning “assistant manager”).
We also use “seonim” (senior) or “sasoo” (mentor) for direct supervisors or mentors.
If the relationship is closer, they may eventually drop the nim and refer to them more casually.
The workplace sunbae-hoobae dynamic is also important in Korean office culture, as seniors often provide guidance, introduce hoobae to key contacts, and help them with company politics.
However, this also means hoobae is expected to show respect, listen attentively, and sometimes take on tasks delegated by their sunbae.
If you want to understand the dynamic better, I’d recommend watching Misaeng: Incomplete Life on Netflix!
4. Sunbae in K-Pop
In the K-pop industry, the term sunbae is used regardless of age. It refers to artists or groups who debuted earlier than another, no matter how many years apart they are.
For example, BTS, who debuted in 2013, are sunbae to Stray Kids, who debuted in 2018.
Likewise, BLACKPINK, who debuted in 2016, are sunbae to IVE, who debuted in 2021.
Even if a younger idol is older in age, they still address earlier-debuted idols as sunbae.
K-pop fans expect newer groups to show proper respect to their sunbae groups, often by bowing at a 90-degree angle or using formal speech.
Some hoobae groups even cover their sunbae’s songs or mention them in interviews as role models.
However, there have been controversies in the past where hoobae groups were criticized for not properly acknowledging their sunbae.
This shows how the sunbae-hoobae hierarchy runs deep in Korean culture, even in the entertainment industry.
It’s important to understand what sunbae means and how to use it right in Korea.
At school or work, understanding sunbae-hoobae dynamics helps form respectful relationships.
