Most of the IQ figures in this list aren’t from any official, standardized test. They’re numbers that have circulated for years through interviews, tabloid claims, and fan discussions and, in most cases, were never independently verified. Tablo’s reported IQ of 160 never stops circulating in K-pop fandom spaces. From Stanford graduate Tablo to Park Kyung’s Mensa-certified reputation, these stars are known for more than stage presence alone.
1. Tablo (Epik High) — IQ 160
Tablo graduated from Stanford University in 2002 with both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in English through Stanford’s coterminal system, completing the combined program in approximately three and a half years. His academic credentials were independently confirmed by Stanford University. For over 15 years, Korean TV and media have claimed Tablo has a 160 IQ, but there is no official proof.
2. Younha — IQ 158
She is very talented, with a reported 158 IQ and fluency in Korean and Japanese, plus conversational English. After graduating with a Japanese degree from the Korean University of Languages, she also showed great musical skill by teaching herself to play instruments like the piano, flute, and traditional drums.
3. Park Kyung (Block B) — IQ 156
In October 2016, Park Kyung officially passed the Mensa Korea examination (putting him in the top 2% of intelligence). His agency (Seven Seasons) confirmed his membership. 156 IQ score was formally announced by Park Kyung himself a couple of weeks later during a television broadcast, and it was documented by other entertainment outlets.
4. Max Changmin (TVXQ) — IQ 155
Changmin holds a degree in postmodern music from Kyung Hee University, a second degree in film and arts from Konkuk University, and a master’s degree at Inha University. Media articles often cite his IQ as 150–155 based on middle/high school aptitude tests, but no standardized Mensa-level verification exists.
5. RM (BTS) — IQ 148
According to Wikipedia, RM had a 148 IQ as a student and scored in the top 1% nationwide on his college entrance exams. In mid-2020, RM took the TOEIC exam just for fun to test his English skills after years of traveling the world and speaking at the UN. In January 2021, he shared on Weverse that he scored 915 out of 990.
6. Hani (EXID) — IQ 145
Hani revealed on TV broadcasts such as SBS’s Star King that her school IQ test score was 145. She scored 900 out of 990 on her TOEIC exam after studying English for just two months, and she studied abroad in China, making her fluent in Mandarin as well.
7. Wendy (Red Velvet) — IQ 140
While studying in America, Wendy once received a certificate of appreciation for her outstanding academics from the president of South Korea. Wendy is also fluent in several languages, namely English, Spanish, and French. Rumors say Red Velvet’s Wendy has a 140 IQ because of her great grades, but it hasn’t been officially verified.
8. Kyuhyun (Super Junior) — IQ 130+
Kyuhyun won the grand prize in the Korean Math Olympiad during high school. He was accepted into Kyung Hee University (one of Korea’s top-tier institutions) through normal academic admission rather than celebrity preference admissions. His aptitude test results from high school consistently placed him above 130.
9. Ok Taecyeon (2PM) — IQ 130+
He attended Bedford High School, where he was a member of the Chess Club, Jazz Band, JV Soccer Team, and National Honor Society, before returning to pursue his career in Korea. Taecyeon later graduated from Dankook University and attended Korea University Graduate School of International Studies. He delighted fans in October 2012 by tweeting his official TOEIC score of a perfect 990.
10. Cha Eun Woo (ASTRO) — IQ 130+
On TV programs such as Problematic Men, Cha Eun-woo‘s actual school report cards were revealed. He consistently ranked in the top 3 in his entire school, served as student council president, and played soccer/basketball, team captain. And he was accepted into Sungkyunkwan University (Acting/Performing Arts). Cha Eun Woo has an IQ reportedly above 130.