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When K-pop idols debut in the industry, many adorn a stage name different from their real name. The stage name is often created for several reasons ranging from the artist's expression to making it easier for people to address them.
Additionally, it helps K-pop idols separate their on-stage personality from their off-stage personality. Since K-pop idols' stage names are carried over for their careers, much thought goes into creating an artist's stage name. Therefore, there have been quite a handful of instances where a K-pop idol almost debuted with a stage name but underwent last-minute changes.
Some of the K-pop idols who almost debuted with a different stage name are BTS' V or Kim Taehyung, EXO's Baekhyun, aespa's Winter, BTS' Jungkook, LE SSERAFIM's Yunjin, etc. The following article will unveil ten K-pop idols who almost debuted with a different stage name and reveal their previously decided stage name.
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BTS' V, EXO's Baekhyun, and other K-pop idols who almost debuted with a different stage name
1) BTS' Jungkook - Seagull
While BTS Jungkook chose to debut with a shortened version of his real name, Jeon Jung-kook, he was initially supposed to debut with the stage name Seagull. The name referred to the K-pop idol's hometown, Busan, South Korea, known for its large population of seagulls on the beaches.
2) SEVENTEEN's Mingyu - Dokyeom
SEVENTEEN explained during their appearance on Ask Us Anything in 2020 that SEVENTEEN DK or Lee Seok-min's stage name wasn't supposed to be Dokyeom. The stage name originally belonged to Mingyu, and DK had several options. However, they changed things in the end, and Mingyu went with his legal name while DK went with Dokyeom.
3) aespa' Karina - Z-On or Jasmine
aespa's Karina's stage name was derived from her baptism name, Katarina. However, she was previously in the talks of debuting under the name Jasmine. This name was picked due to the idol's resemblance to the Disney princess or her Disney princess-like visuals.
4) aespa' Winter - Snow
aespa's Winter or Kim Min-jeong had several options for her stage name such as now White (Baek-seol), Milly, Forever (Young-won), Moa, and more. Snow was also one of the prominent options, as the label wanted to present winter with a pure image. However, the end option was Winter because she was born in Winter on January 1.
5) ATEEZ's San - Howl
Before ATEEZ's debut, all the members had different stage names. San had Howl as his stage name, and he stated that it was quite meaningful as it talked about spreading sound near and far. He also thought that the name suited him. However, they felt San, his real name, best suited him.
6) EXO's Baekhyun - Uto
Baekhyun, or Byun Baek-hyun, debuted with his legal name as his stage name. However, as an option for a stage name, he had Uto on his mind. Additionally, SM Entertainment's founder, Lee Soo-man, suggested Gwanwoo for his stage as the name suited him.
7) EXO's Chanyeol - Pia
EXO's Chanyeol also debuted with his legal name, Chanyeol, though he had Pia as an option for his stage name. The idea behind the stage was for his name to be combined with EXO's Baekhyun so they could form Utopia together.
8) BTS' V - Six
BTS V, better known as Kim Taehyung, debuted under his stage name, which stands for victory. He had Six and Lex as his other options while choosing his stage name.
9) LE SSERAFIM's Yunjin - Jennifer
LE SERRAFIM Yunjin's English name is Jennifer, as she was brought up in the United States. Therefore, there were discussions about her debuting under the stage name Jennifer. However, when her agency asked her which name she preferred, Yunjin chose to go with her Korean name.
10) EXO's Sehun
The youngest EXO member, Sehun, debuted under his real name. However, he was suggested the stage name Seoul by SM Entertainment's founder, Lee Soo-man. The name was supposed to be pronounced as Se-wool. Since the name overlapped with the name of the city of Seoul, the company went against the option.
Several other K-pop idols, including IU, HyunA, Kim Chungha, Sunmi, and others, almost debuted under a different stage name.
