Originating from "it boy" and along the same lines as "4th
gen it boy," this term is used to described Ricky from ZEROBASEONE, globally the most
popular and well known
male 5th generation K-pop idol worldwide.
Although it is mostly used as an informal
label by fans, a K-pop idol's status as an "it boy" is determined by their viral moments, how often they go viral, how many people in the general public and non-K-pop fans know of them, their impact in numbers and social media engagements, and the trends revolving around them, among other factors.