Forbes Korea names 2024 most powerful K-pop, K-drama celebrities
Forbes Korea has come out with a list of its 40 most powerful celebrities, which includes the biggest names in K-pop and K-drama.
Emerging in the top spot of the Power Celebrity 40 list is BLACKPINK after previously placing in third place in 2023. Last year's most powerful Korean celebrities were BTS.
The girl group's members have come out with their solo projects, starred in TV shows, and partnered with fashion brands. Lisa, Jisoo, and Jennie have also established their own labels named LLOUD, BLISOO, and ODD ATELIER, respectively.
Coming in second place is Tottenham Hotspur FC football player Son Heung-min, who is also the captain of the South Korea national soccer team. Trailing in third is another girl group, NewJeans.
Other names that made the top 10 include soccer player Minjae Kim, singer Lim Young-woong, San Francisco Giants baseball player Lee Jung-hoo, BTS member Jimin, soccer player Lee Kang-in, BTS' maknae Jungkook, and six-member girl group IVE.
Cha Eunwoo, Minho Jang, Lee Sang-min, Dex, Eunjin Ahn, Lee Chan-won, IU, and Lee Se-young are among the others in the top 40 ranking.
This year would be the first time BTS, as a group, wasn't on the Forbes Power Celebrity list since 2017. The group ranked number one in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The Power Celebrity 40 list is an annual ranking published by Forbes Korea since 2009. The magazine picks the 40 most influential names in sports and entertainment based on their accolades, achievements in their respective fields, media exposure, TV appearances, and social media popularity.