BTS Fanfic Work Shoppe

📝 Honorifics: Should you use Them? 📝

So, you're writing about the BTS members and you've come to a crossroads—honorifics: to write or not to write? On one hand, the tannies use them in real life. On the other hand, you yourself aren't Korean or from a place where honorifics are used (Japan, for example, uses them: -chan, -kun, -sama, -nii, -sempai, etc). This makes you wonder whether or not you should write them in your writing (if you're used to them due to your own culture or education, then it's different). The process for deciding whether or not to do so is fairly simple.

I don't really use honorifics in my writing because I don't quite grasp the weight of them and I'm not a person who likes to "submit," or whatever to someone who is older. I'm American and I show respect by the way I treat people rather than calling them Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc. So it's not natural for me to do it. I've read some stories where the use of honorifics has come across as... weird, while in others, it was just fine. So here is my guide to help you decide:

Do you want to write them? - If you do, then continue on the list. If you don't want to write them, don't.

Do you want to write them because you think it's hot/sexy? - If you do, maybe you should reconsider because this can come across as disrespectful or the fetishization of a culture. On the other hand, if your answer is no, then continue onward.

Do you want to because your favorite author(s) does/do? - It is perfectly okay to be inspired by other writers, but try to base your writing decisions on your own comfort and desires. There are authors with popular stories with and without honorifics. You don't have to copy everything you see in order to be successful!

Do you want to because you want to be authentic? - That's a nice thought. They are Korean, so it makes sense. However, if they live in a country where they aren't used in your story, maybe don't use them. For example, if they are established to be speaking English or another language, then it wouldn't make quite as much sense to use them. The honorifics should match the language. Maybe they live in America and when they're alone, they speak Korean, but in situations where they want others to know what they're saying/don't want to deal with ignorant people, they live in English. It could be interesting to distinguish this in the story and have them use honorifics when they speak Korean and not when they don't as it will show how bilingual people work. For example, in English, we only have a normal you. In Spanish, on the other hand, there is a formal and informal you. So it wouldn't make sense to try and emulate this in English.

Do you feel comfortable doing it? - If so, do it! If not, you don't have to. However, if you want to challenge yourself, then that's okay too!

I hope this was helpful!