BTS's V ranked #1 most searched K-pop star and Forbes Korea’s top male idol of 2025

BTS’s V has once again proven his status as a global superstar, ranking as the most searched K-pop star on Google in 2025.

According to Google Trends, V recorded the highest search volume among K-pop artists throughout the year. Across the 81 countries tracked by the platform, he ranked No. 1 in 77 countries, including the United States.

Google Trends analyzes the popularity of search queries across regions and languages and is widely regarded as an objective, big-data–based indicator of global public interest and influence.

Despite spending half of the year fulfilling his mandatory military service, V was also named the No. 1 male Korean idol on Forbes Korea’s list of "Top 30 Representative K-pop Idols of 2025", recognized for their widespread popularity both domestically and internationally.

Forbes Korea said: 

“Anything and everything V does becomes a hot topic. He's at the center of global advertising campaigns in major cities around the world, including Seoul. Whether it's singing or fashion, V is coloring the world in every field with his own "V mode." Restaurants, hotels, and other places he frequents have even become established as "V Tour Route."

Following his military discharge in June, V was the most active BTS member in the second half of the year, engaging in numerous solo activities while preparing with the group for their highly anticipated comeback album.

His high-profile solo activities included throwing the first pitch at Dodger Stadium, attending Vogue World: Hollywood, and appearing at two CELINE shows in Paris—one in July and another in October during Fashion Week.

The year also marked a significant expansion of his influence in the global market, with new brand ambassadorships for Coca-Cola, Snow Peak, TIRTIR, YUNTH, and Paradise City, alongside widely successful campaigns that further cemented his presence across fashion, lifestyle, and consumer brands.

As 2026 begins, expectations continue to rise for V’s next chapter, both as a solo artist and as a member of BTS, with the group’s upcoming comeback album and world tour on the horizon.