If you are confused about the meanings of Fanfic, RPF, and NaFES, pay attention! We will explain everything at once, from the exact meanings and differences between the three terms to idol fandom terms like Dream, AU, and coupling.

You know those words that anyone who's ever been a fan has probably heard at least once? 👀

Fanfic, RPF, NAF... They look similar, but when I actually try to explain them, I get completely speechless 😭

Today, I’ll neatly summarize the meanings and differences of these three words, along with some useful fandom terms to know ✨

1. The meaning of fanfic is actually a much broader concept.

Fanfic is an abbreviation of 'Fan Fiction'. are you.

It refers to derivative works written by fans of a work that borrows its characters or worldview, primarily novels. 📚

Originally, it includes secondary creations from almost all genres, such as anime, comics, movies, and dramas.

It is used in a slightly unique way in Korea 💡

In Korea, 'fanfic' is often perceived as 'celebrity/idol fanfic'.

Secondary creations based on comics or novels are sometimes referred to separately as 'parody'.

also A single drawing is not fan fiction, but 'fan art' That is also a point that is surprisingly confusing a lot 🎨

2. Meaning of Alpes, it is the Korean pronunciation of RPS.

RPS is a Korean pronunciation of 'Real Person Slash'.

A genre that depicts a fictional romantic relationship based on real people. is, and the person who enjoys this is ' Alpeser They say they call it that.

A concept combining RPF (real-life person fiction) and slash fiction (same-sex pairings).

Overseas, it originally means something closer to a relationship between men.

In Korea, it is also used as a general term for fan fiction that features real-life figures.

Not only idols, but also real people such as actors, entertainers, and professional gamers can all be targets.

If you trace the roots, it goes back to the PC communication days of the 1990s 🔥

I heard that member fan fiction serialized in fan clubs of first-generation idols like HOT, Sechs Kies, god, and Click B is considered the origin of Korean RPF culture.

I heard that back then, the agency even held a fan fiction contest 😮

3. Meaning of Napes: It is an RPF (Real Person Fiction) featuring 'Na'.

Napes is a compound word of 'Na + Rpes'. It is.

In RPFs dealing with real people It means putting yourself in the story as a character. 💭

Simply put, it is a real-life version of 'Dream'.

It is usually based on pseudo-romantic feelings. They say it is often made that way.

It is a genre that is quite polarizing, much like Dream.

Here, "Dream" refers to a secondary creation that combines characters from a work with original characters created by oneself.

In other words, the difference is that Dream is 'virtual character + original character,' while Napes is 'real person + myself.'

4. Differences between Fanfic, RPF, and NPF at a Glance

I’ve organized it into a table for those who are confused 👇

	Fanfic	RPS	Napes
original language	Fan Fiction	Real Person Slash	Me + RPF
Target	Characters in the work and real-life figures in general	between real people	Real person + me
core	All secondary creative novels	Romantic relationship between real people	My relationship with a real person
Inclusion relationship	The broadest concept	subgenres of fanfiction	A derivative concept of Alpes

To summarize A structure close to 'Fanfic ⊃ RPF ⊃ NAFES' You can think of it like that ✨

5. Useful Idol Fandom Terms to Know

You see these words really often in the fandom, so make sure to take them with you too 💡

coupling A combination that links two characters in a romantic relationship

Slash fiction : Fanfiction dealing with relationships between men, derived from the 'Kirk/Spock' notation

Fanbid : A video created by fans editing photos and videos

Bigeper/Non-reference : Slang referring to behind-the-scenes videos or scenes consumed as 'bait' in the RPF fandom.

💡 Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q. Are fanfiction and RPF the same thing?

A. No! Fanfic refers to all derivative works, and RPF is a subgenre within that that pairs real-life people in romantic relationships.

Q. What is the difference between Nafes and Dream?

A. Dream is about pairing a fictional character from a work with your own character, whereas Napes is about pairing a real person with yourself. That is why Napes is called the 'real-life version of Dream.'

Q. Can RPS be punished?

A. It depends on the content and severity. If it constitutes defamation, distribution of obscene material, or production of false video, punishment is possible, and in fact, seven people were booked and referred to the prosecution in 2021.

Q. Is RPF only for male idols?

A. No, that’s not true. If it’s a real person, anyone could be a candidate, such as actors, entertainers, pro gamers, or female idols. However, in reality, the proportion of boy group pairings is overwhelmingly high.

Go to Fanplus to read the Best Fanfics 👇

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Comments3

a4Seal738

이런 용어는 볼때마다 헷갈려요
알페스랑 나페스가 다른 뜻이었군요 처음 알았어요

2026.10.22 17:05

woJackal772

저도 몰랐던 거네요. 
차이점 잘 읽었습니다.

2026.10.22 14:23

편육왕자

오호 이렇게 하나 배워가네요

2026.10.22 12:06

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What are the meanings and differences between RPF and NAPIS in fanfiction? A comprehensive guide to idol fandom terminology.