Fancam

K-pop Fancams (Jikcam) — Full Cams, Facecams, Vertical Cams, and Official Music Show Channels

Jikcam is short for jikjeop jjigeun cam (directly filmed camera footage). Unlike standard broadcast footage that cuts between wide angles and various shots, it follows a single member from start to finish or captures the entire stage from a fixed vantage point. In English-speaking communities, these videos are universally known as fancams, while in Japan they are referred to phonetically as チッケム (chikkemu). Originally, the term referred strictly to fan-recorded videos shot at public events. Since 2014, however, major Korean broadcasting networks began releasing their own "official fancams," turning the format into a standalone subgenre of K-pop music programming.

Types of Fancams and Key Terms (Korean ↔ English)

Official network fancams usually prefix their video titles with the resolution (4K, 8K) and format tags. Seeing tags like "[MPD직캠]", "[페이스캠4K]", or "[K-Choreo 8K]" instantly tells you which network produced it and what angle to expect.

Official Music Show Fancam Channels

M2 claims to be the first Korean music broadcaster to offer an official fancam service, launching on M Countdown in 2014. Currently, the channel releases three main varieties: vertical MPD fancams, 8K full cams, and landscape, face-focused ipduk fancams. BTS Jimin's "FAKE LOVE" MPD fancam and V's "Boy With Luv" ipduk fancam have both surpassed 100 million views. Following M2's lead, MBC (mid-2016), MBC M Show Champion (mid-2017), KBS (early 2018), and SBS affiliates (late 2018) all rolled out official fancam content.

Outside standard music shows, Mnet's performance-focused sub-brand STUDIO CHOOM (6.37M subscribers) stands out. While not strictly a fancam—performances are filmed in a dedicated studio set—fans often watch these alongside full-cam versions of the same song to appreciate the choreography.

The Moment Fancams Changed the Industry: EXID Hani's 'Up & Down'

No discussion of fancams is complete without this legendary case study. EXID's "Up & Down" received little attention upon its release on August 27, 2014. However, that autumn, a fan-recorded focus cam of member Hani performing at a military base went viral on social media. By November 17, the track re-entered the top 100 on digital music charts; by November 28, it topped the Mnet real-time chart. On January 9, 2015, the group took home their first terrestrial music show win on KBS Music Bank. It remains the quintessential example of a single fan video driving a sleeper hit (yeokjuhaeng, or chart reversal).

Since then, fancam view counts have served as a direct barometer of fandom size and public interest. Even within the same performance, view counts between members can vary wildly, sparking discussion and headlines across online communities.

Fan Etiquette: Filming on Location

Because public music show tapings generally ban audience recording, fan fancams are mostly filmed at open stages like university festivals, local fairs, and street busking events. Even in public settings, proper etiquette is essential:

• Check official announcements first. Follow all guidelines regarding photography restrictions, flash bans, and tripod policies. Rules vary by event.
• Do not block the view of people behind you. Raising phones or cameras high above eye level, or using selfie sticks and bulky telephoto lenses in the front row, is the most common grievance.
• Do not record off-stage moments. Transitions to waiting rooms, private conversations, and back-stage pathways are moments artists often prefer to keep private.
• Edit out fellow spectators' faces if prominent. Front-row attendees have personality and privacy rights as well.
• Detailed tips on entry procedures, securing spots, and on-site filming rules can be found in our University Festival Entry and Fancam Guide.

Copyright and Re-upload Warnings

Copyright for the recorded footage itself belongs to the videographer. Downloading someone else's fancam to re-upload on your own channel or chopping it up into Shorts without attribution infringes on their rights. This is why creators typically include notices in video descriptions stating: "Sharing allowed with credit; no commercial use or secondary editing."

Meanwhile, the music and choreography featured in the video belong to the artist and their agency, meaning clips can occasionally be muted or taken down upon company request. In Korea, agencies largely tolerate fan fancams due to their immense promotional value, but overseas venues (such as in Japan) enforce strict bans on all personal recording. Official broadcast fancams are the exclusive property of TV networks; sharing video links is fine, but downloading and re-uploading them directly invites copyright strikes.

Trending Fancams: Watch by Artist

Over the past year, individual girl group fancams have dominated the highest view counts. Follow each page to explore highlighted performances for each artist:

You can also find cheer team performances on Cheer, summer festival stages on Waterbomb Stage, and street performances by dance cover crews on Dance Cover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are "fancam" and "jikcam" the same thing? Yes. Global fans say "fancam," while in Korea they are called jikcam. In English search queries, terms like "kpop fancam," "[member name] fancam," and "focus cam" yield the most results.

When are official broadcast fancams uploaded? Usually between the night of the broadcast and the following day. Since M Countdown airs on Thursdays, Music Bank on Fridays, Show! Music Core on Saturdays, and Inkigayo on Sundays, uploads generally follow that weekly schedule.

Sources: CJ Newsroom — M2 Fancam Interview (2023) · Namuwiki 'Jikcam' · Tenasia — EXID 'Up & Down' Chart Reversal (2014-12) · The Korea Economic Daily — EXID Chart Reversal (2014-12)