Google Trends data for 2024 shows that BTS V (Taehyung) was No. 1 on the Top 25 most-searched idols worldwide. Even though V was away in the military for much of the year, people still searched for him more than anyone else. Jungkook comes in at No. 2, with BLACKPINK’s Lisa at No. 3. The list was published on January 1, 2025. Still, there are online debates over the position of idols and how they stayed at top for the whole year.
Below, we break down the full ranking and why V led Google’s searches in 2024 and how other 4th-gen idols are dominating.
Complete List of 25 Most-Searched Idols
Here’s the ranking compiled from worldwide Google data for 2024.
1. TAEHYUNG (V) — BTS
V topped the year despite serving in the military through 2024. Constant search spikes were sparked by April “Wounds of Glory” training photos, a surprise stadium appearance in full uniform, and a widely circulated graduation ceremony video with his parents. Fans kept his name trending without active promotions, fueled by the massive success of his March single, “FRI(END)S.” The track became the most-streamed 2024 song by a Korean soloist on Spotify, easily beating other major hits.
2. JUNGKOOK — BTS
Jungkook enlisted alongside Jimin in December 2023. Fans tracked his service closely through rare Weverse messages, including a detailed March 2024 update on his routine. His continued dominance on streaming charts with “Standing Next to You” and “Seven” kept him searched even during his lowest-visibility year. Reports also surfaced that he was invited to perform at the 2024 Super Bowl alongside Usher but had to decline due to his enlistment.
3. LISA — BLACKPINK
2024 was Lisa’s biggest solo year. She launched her own label LLOUD, signed with RCA Records, and released “Rockstar” and “New Woman” (feat. Rosalía) back to back. She also won Best K-pop at the VMAs for a second time, which is a first for any K-pop solo artist. Global entertainment indexes exploded when HBO confirmed Lisa joined the star-studded cast for Season 3 of the critically acclaimed series The White Lotus.
4. IU — Soloist
Released in January 2024, the duet “Love Wins All” by IU and BTS’s V topped all music charts within four days. In September 2024, IU became the first female K-pop solo artist to fill South Korea’s second-largest stadium during her Seoul concert. Her historic longevity and multi-generational grip on domestic music charts propelled her to be crowned as South Korea’s representative face for Billboard’s Global No. 1 artist series.
5. ROSÉ — BLACKPINK
In, Rosé’s biggest moment was her hit song “APT.” Released in October with Bruno Mars, the song quickly became a global sensation. It climbed music charts worldwide and started viral dance trends on TikTok and Instagram. The song was loved by all kinds of listeners well beyond regular K-pop fans. So it brought her a huge new audience and made her one of the most searched BLACKPINK members by the end of the year.
6. JENNIE — BLACKPINK
Jennie’s ‘Mantra’ emerged as a dominant global cultural force in 2024, driving unprecedented search traffic and digital engagement as it shattered international streaming records. Also, Jennie’s indoor vaping controversy and dating scandal with BamBam of GOT7 kept her among the most searched idols in 2025.
7. JIMIN — BTS
In 2024, Jimin sparked global attention with his second solo album, MUSE, which debuted at a historic No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Its title track, “Who,” smashed records by dominating the Billboard Hot 100 for 33 consecutive weeks as a top-selling U.S. track. Driven by this massive engagement, fans voted him into a three-year consecutive streak as the world’s most popular K-pop idol.
8. EUNWOO — ASTRO
Cha Eun-woo expanded his global fame by earning a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation. His solo album ENTITY topped iTunes charts in 21 regions, and his dramatic role in the thriller Wonderful World drove solid ratings. Combined with his high-fashion prestige, these music and acting milestones caused his global search traffic to skyrocket.
9. SUGA — BTS
Suga secured his place among the most searched idols of 2024 through an intense intersection of record-breaking solo achievements and massive mainstream media scrutiny. Musically, his solo catalog, D-DAY, made history by crossing 4.6 billion Spotify streams and entirely reclaiming the top of the Billboard and iTunes charts. But the main search spike was from his drunk driving case on an electric scooter.
10. JISOO — BLACKPINK
In 2024, Jisoo expanded her career into business and acting by launching her own agency, BLISSOO, and becoming a global brand ambassador for the fashion label Self-Portrait. She also landed the lead role in the series Newtopia, generating massive excitement ahead of its February 2025 release.
11. JIN — BTS
Jin’s search engine footprint was supercharged by his historic June 2024 military discharge, the viral 1,000-fan hug event, and his globally televised appearance as a torchbearer for the Olympics 2024. His first solo mini- album, Happy, and its lead single, “Running Wild,” dominated the Billboard charts.
12. RM — BTS
In September, RM’s collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion on “Neva Play” spiked global search interest. Soon after, footage of him playing the saxophone in a red military band uniform went viral online. Additionally, Billboard named his sophomore album, Right Place, Wrong Person, the Best K-Pop Album of 2024. Finally, his 100 million won birthday donation to the ‘Everyone’s Veterans Dream’ project sparked nationwide praise.
13. FELIX — Stray Kids
Felix drove massive search traffic through high-profile fashion milestones and heartfelt philanthropy. His historic Louis Vuitton Paris Runway debut generated an incredible $9.1 million in media value, closely followed by a viral Met Gala appearance. He notably became the youngest member of the UNICEF Honors Club after donating 100 million won for children in Laos.
14. KARINA — aespa
Karina’s self-written hip-hop anthem “UP” shattered 4th-generation records by sweeping a Real-Time All-Kill on South Korean charts. Meanwhile, her public relationship and subsequent breakup with actor Lee Jae-wook ignited a massive global internet storm. The intense online backlash even drew international commentary from CNN regarding toxic fan culture.
15. HYUNJIN — Stray Kids
Hyunjin’s 2024 was a full-blown fashion takeover: he became Versace’s official ambassador and appeared at Milan Fashion Week seated next to Anne Hathaway, a moment that went viral for the “most gorgeous people” pairing alone. His year closed with a surprise blonde buzz cut reveal at SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 25, which Google Trends confirmed made him the single highest-trending K-pop idol globally that day.
16. WONYOUNG — IVE
Search interest spiked in January 2024 when Starship Entertainment won a 100 million-won lawsuit on behalf of Wonyoung against the operator of the infamous YouTube channel Sojang. While her viral “Lucky Vicky” positive-mindset trend completely penetrated mainstream public culture, keeping her name indexed at an all-time high throughout the year.
17. J-HOPE — BTS
J-Hope stayed at the forefront of global pop culture all year. He achieved this with his Billboard Top 5 special album, HOPE ON THE STREET VOL. 1, and its matching Prime Video docuseries. His global search footprint was supercharged by his historic October 2024 military discharge and his viral, televised reunion gate-greeting with Jin.
18. G-DRAGON — BIGBANG
G-Dragon ended a seven-year hiatus on October 31, 2024, by releasing his new single, “Power.” The song hit No. 1 on iTunes in 15 regions. This marked a new era under his own label, Galaxy Corporation, with partner EMPIRE. His agency had teased the comeback for months. The release kept fans searching through the year, building on the buzz from his MAMA Awards performance in November 2024.
19. BANG CHAN — Stray Kids
In September 2024, luxury crystal house Swarovski officially appointed Bang Chan as their new global brand ambassador. Bang Chan’s highly publicized, long-running internet friendship with Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds culminated in Stray Kids releasing the original track “Slash“ for Deadpool & Wolverine.
20. HANNI — NewJeans
Hanni became a major topic in 2024 due to NewJeans’ dispute with their agency, ADOR. She gave an emotional speech at South Korea’s National Assembly about workplace bullying. This powerful moment grabbed global attention far beyond regular K-pop fans. Her solo performance covering the 1980 J-pop classic “Aoi Sangosho” (Blue Coral Reef) at Tokyo Dome went viral.
21. BAMBAM — GOT7
BamBam boosted his search traffic by releasing his hit album, Bamesis, and running his successful Area 52 world tour. Later, public worry spiked when he had to cancel his U.S. tour due to a bad ankle injury. Search interest grew even more when he posted honest messages about experiencing severe industry burnout.
22. NI-KI — ENHYPEN
Ni-Ki faced heavy online backlash and global debate after making a careless comment about Korean Independence Movement Day. On the music side, his great dancing helped ENHYPEN’s album Romance : Untold reach No. 2 on Billboard. His popular “Ni-ki Core” fashion style also made him a top style icon for the new generation.
23. DANIELLE — NewJeans
Danielle’s historic appointment as the global ambassador for Celine thrust her into a major spotlight following a massive brand transition. As a prominent member of NewJeans, Danielle’s name was heavily indexed on news sites during the intense corporate legal battle between parent company HYBE and ADOR’s founding producer, Min Hee-jin.
24. MINGYU — SEVENTEEN
In February 2024, Mingyu attended the Dior show at Paris Fashion Week. He wore a sleek, tailored suit that went viral online. Search interest reached a fever pitch in early 2024 when Calvin Klein officially announced Mingyu as its new global brand ambassador. Mingyu also went viral on NANA TOUR with SEVENTEEN. Fans loved his handsome holiday look, which clashed funnily with his clumsy, chaotic personality.
25. LEE KNOW — Stray Kids
In May 2024, Lee Know attended the Gucci Cruise 2025 fashion show at the Tate Modern in London. His stylish outfit trended worldwide, reaching No. 1 on X. He also became the youngest member of World Vision’s Bob Pierce Honor Club in February 2024 after making a major donation of 100 million won.