Several high-traffic fan polls closed in 2025, and the debate over the “most loved” k pop idols is back — with a familiar core returning to the top.
There isn’t a single official “Top 25” for all time. But across recent fan votes, view-based rankings, and industry roundups, Jimin (BTS), Jennie and Rosé (BLACKPINK), V (BTS), and Karina (aespa) keep appearing. We pulled together what’s confirmed, what fans are pushing, and why these idols’ impact shows up in real sales and global chatter.
The Top 25 Most Loved K-Pop Idols (2025 composite)
Note: This is a synthesized, current snapshot — not an “official” all-time list. It emphasizes recent poll performance (votes/views) and long-term influence. Positions reflect where names consistently appear across 2025 sources, with legacy icons included for “best k pop idols ever” context.
1) Jimin (BTS)
Fan-poll titan (King Choice #1) with enduring sales impact from BTS and solo work.
2) Jennie (BLACKPINK)
Kpopping’s most-viewed idol in 2025 and a brand powerhouse with global recognition.
3) Rosé (BLACKPINK)
Reported near the top in 2025 industry spotlights; strong solo digital traction and live demand.
4) V (BTS)
Often tops daily vote charts on KPOP Juice and places high in year-end fan polls.
5) Karina (aespa)
4th‑gen face; consistent nominee leader in fan ballots and viral on social platforms.
6) Felix (Stray Kids)
View leader (Kpopping #2), key to SKZ’s touring and chart strength.
7) Lisa (BLACKPINK)
Global solo smash-maker with sustained views and brand clout.
8) Wonyoung (IVE)
View-topper (Kpopping #4) and 4th‑gen “it” idol with crossover influence.
9) Irene (Red Velvet)
King Choice #2 in 2025; veteran with deep fanbase and fashion reach.
10) Jisoo (BLACKPINK)
Repeated top mentions in polls and a strong solo presence.
11) Hyunjin (Stray Kids)
Fan-favorite performer whose momentum mirrors SKZ’s global run.
12) Kai (EXO)
3rd‑gen mainstay with luxury endorsements and stage pedigree.
13) Soyeon ((G)I‑DLE)
Leader-producer profile with dedicated voters and viral tracks.
14) Jungkook (BTS)
Huge streaming footprint, stadium draw, and mainstream crossover appeal.
15) Taeyeon (Girls’ Generation)
Vocal standard-setter; long-term digital and concert strength.
16) G‑Dragon (BIGBANG)
Culture-shaping icon whose brand and music legacy remain unmatched.
17) IU (solo)
One of Korea’s most-loved voices with record-setting digital stats and longevity.
18) Taemin (SHINee)
Performance icon, respected across peers and fans for artistry.
19) Seulgi (Red Velvet)
Artistic range and steady fan support in music and fashion.
20) Lucas (NCT)
Ranks high in 2025 fan voting (King Choice #3) with strong global name recognition.
21) Yunho (TVXQ)
2nd‑gen legend still placing top‑five in the 2025 King Choice tally.
22) RM (BTS)
Leadership and solo output that keep BTS’s cultural footprint active during pauses.
23) Suga (BTS)
Producer-artist with sold-out tours and high replay value.
24) J‑Hope (BTS)
Stage general and festival-ready performer, beloved for live energy.
25) Sakura (LE SSERAFIM)
Fan-poll fixture (Shining nominee), expanding global base.
Why these 25? Because the same names recur across fan-voted awards, view rankings, and industry mentions. 3rd‑gen mainstays (BTS, BLACKPINK, EXO, Red Velvet) dominate both nostalgia and sales. 4th‑gen accelerators (Stray Kids, aespa, IVE) scale quickly thanks to social-first fandoms and TikTok virality.
How this composite was built
This is a comparison-style snapshot that blends subjective fan love with measurable industry impact. We used three pillars:
- Impact: cultural moments, viral reach, and long-running relevance across eras.
- Sales power: historical and recent performance on Hanteo and Circle (Gaon), plus tour draw.
- Global influence: Billboard presence, brand deals, and sustained buzz in English- and Korean-language fandoms.
Fan-love proxies include 2025 polls like the Shining Awards nominees list (closed March 2025), King Choice’s HOT 100 (closed November 2025), and view-based rankings at Kpopping and KPOP Juice. For an industry lens, we note Times Now’s recap of a Forbes 2025 spotlight on idols and groups.
- Shining Awards nominees (2025): Karina, Jimin, Jisoo, Kai, Soyeon, Hyunjin, Sakura and more — high-engagement fan voting [Shining Awards].
- King Choice HOT 100 (closed Nov 30, 2025): Jimin #1; Irene #2; Lucas #3; V #4; Yunho #5 — wide multi-gen participation [King Choice].
- Kpopping idol views (2025): Jennie #1 by views; Felix #2; Lisa #3; Wonyoung #4 — a useful popularity proxy [Kpopping].
- KPOP Juice daily votes: V often leads daily popularity tallies among k pop idols [KPOP Juice].
- Industry lens: Times Now reports that Jennie and Rosé led a Forbes 2025 idol roundup, with Stray Kids ranked as the #1 band [Times Now].
“Jennie and Rosé were the top 2 … Stray Kids defeat BTS as No. 1 band.” — Times Now on a Forbes 2025 list
What’s actually confirmed (and what’s fan energy)
- Confirmed: Jimin finished #1 in King Choice’s HOT 100 (2025), with Irene at #2, Lucas at #3, V at #4, and Yunho at #5 [King Choice].
- Confirmed: Jennie led Kpopping’s 2025 idol view count; Felix, Lisa, and Wonyoung followed closely [Kpopping].
- Confirmed: Shining Awards’ 2025 nominees included Karina, Jimin, Jisoo, Kai, Soyeon, Hyunjin, Sakura and others — a clear sign of who mobilizes large fan votes [Shining Awards].
- Reported: Times Now’s recap of a Forbes 2025 list highlights Jennie and Rosé at the top for idols, with Stray Kids as the #1 group and BTS/BLACKPINK close behind [Times Now].
- Fan energy: Reddit and community threads this year centered on “BTS vs. Stray Kids” for group popularity, BLACKPINK solo longevity on Billboard, and the rapid rise of 4th‑gen “chart monsters.” These are reactions, not official rankings.
Why it matters
The k pop idols who win votes usually also move real numbers — album sales, sold-out dates, and brand campaigns. Even during enlistment pauses, BTS members still top global conversations. BLACKPINK’s solos continue to hold long Billboard and YouTube tails.
- Sales mechanics: Hanteo’s first-day/first-week bursts show who commands core fandoms. Circle (Gaon) tracks broader consumption over time. Billboard signals global reach.
- Brand power: BLACKPINK and BTS members lead luxury and tech endorsements, proving influence beyond music drops.
- Touring: Stadium sell-outs anchor “k pop idols popularity ranking” debates because demand is measurable, not just clickable.
Generation check
Cross-era love is the standout story in 2025. 2nd‑gen legends (TVXQ, BIGBANG, Girls’ Generation) remain evergreen at shows and in fashion. 3rd‑gen mainstays (BTS, BLACKPINK, EXO, Red Velvet) still take the biggest bites of sales and brand deals.
4th‑gen accelerators (Stray Kids, aespa, IVE) fill feeds and charts via social virality. That pushes members like Karina, Felix, and Wonyoung onto “most famous k pop idols” shortlists fast.
Bottom line
There’s no single scoreboard for “most loved.” Line up 2025’s biggest fan polls, view counts, and industry nods, and a clear core emerges: Jimin, Jennie, Rosé, V, and Karina lead the conversation, with Felix, Lisa, Wonyoung, Irene, and Hyunjin right behind. Legacy names — from Kai and Yunho to Taeyeon and G‑Dragon — show how “legendary k pop idols” status can sit next to 4th‑gen viral momentum. Watch the next comeback wave — that’s when this list always gets loud again.