Allkpop’s year-end roundup using Google Trends data (Jan–Dec 2024) places BTS’s V (Taehyung) at No. 1 on the Top 30 most-searched idols worldwide. Jungkook comes in at No. 2, with BLACKPINK’s Lisa at No. 3. The list was published on January 1, 2025, and it’s already reigniting debates over who drove global curiosity last year—and why.
Zooming out, this snapshot shows legacy power (BTS, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG) holding firm while 4th‑gen names surge in public interest. Below, we break down the full ranking, why V led Google’s searches in 2024, and the trends to watch as 2025 gets underway.
Quick facts
- Data source: A Google Trends aggregation across Jan–Dec 2024 compiled by media; Allkpop’s year-end list published Jan 1, 2025.
- Top 3: V (Taehyung), Jungkook, Lisa.
- Method note: Google Trends tracks relative search interest, not exact fan counts or revenue.
- Useful queries to follow: “Top 30 most-searched idols,” “why BTS V is the most searched idol,” “BLACKPINK members’ search rankings 2024,” “most popular 4th gen K-pop idols.”
The full Top 30 snapshot
Here’s the complete ranking as compiled from worldwide Google data for 2024, per Allkpop:
1. TAEHYUNG (V) — BTS
2. JUNGKOOK — BTS
3. LISA — BLACKPINK
4. IU — Soloist
5. ROSÉ — BLACKPINK
6. JENNIE — BLACKPINK
7. JIMIN — BTS
8. EUNWOO — ASTRO
9. SUGA — BTS
10. JISOO — BLACKPINK
11. JIN — BTS
12. RM — BTS
13. FELIX — Stray Kids
14. KARINA — aespa
15. HYUNJIN — Stray Kids
16. WONYOUNG — IVE
17. J-HOPE — BTS
18. G-DRAGON — BIGBANG
19. BANG CHAN — Stray Kids
20. HANNI — NewJeans
21. BAMBAM — GOT7
22. NI-KI — ENHYPEN
23. BAE SUZY — Soloist/Actress
24. MINGYU — SEVENTEEN
25. LEE KNOW — Stray Kids
26. NAYEON — TWICE
27. SANA — TWICE
28. YOONA — Girls’ Generation
29. CHAEWON — LE SSERAFIM
30. WINTER — aespa
Source: Allkpop year-end Google Trends compilation.
Why V came out on top
So why is BTS V the most searched idol in the 2024 tally? Search interest usually spikes around public-facing moments—solo teasers, headline appearances, high-fashion campaigns, and viral short clips. V had multiple visibility bursts that reached beyond core fandom, bringing casual audiences to Google.
There’s also the “who is more popular Jungkook or V” debate. On this list, Jungkook sits at No. 2, making it a 1–2 finish. The key point: Google Trends reflects relative curiosity over time, not an absolute popularity crown. In 2024, V’s media beats appear to have triggered slightly more frequent or larger surges than Jungkook’s, nudging him ahead in the year-end rollup. Both remain among the most searched K-pop stars worldwide.
BLACKPINK’s spread: four members, four lanes
BLACKPINK’s lineup shows a notable top‑10 spread: Lisa at No. 3, Rosé at No. 5, Jennie at No. 6, and Jisoo at No. 10. The distribution reflects different kinds of reach—music and performance clips (Lisa), luxury and magazine cover runs (all four), and TV/acting visibility (Jennie, Jisoo).
When casual viewers encounter a viral clip or a new brand campaign, they often search the member first. That helps explain why individual ranks can shift inside the same group. For brands tracking BLACKPINK members’ search rankings 2024, this is a useful barometer when deciding who fronts a campaign in a given market.
Fourth‑gen heat check
The mid-table is packed with 4th‑gen standouts—proof that the most popular 4th gen K-pop idols are converting streaming power into broader public curiosity. Stray Kids land four members: Felix (No. 13), Hyunjin (No. 15), Bang Chan (No. 19), and Lee Know (No. 25). “Stray Kids Felix search statistics” became a fan talking point as fancams and brand content regularly sparked interest.
Elsewhere, aespa’s Karina (No. 14) and Winter (No. 30) fuel the usual Karina vs. Winter popularity chatter. In search terms, Karina ranked higher across 2024, but Winter’s top‑30 finish signals steady group-wide attention. IVE’s Wonyoung (No. 16) remains a household name in K-pop conversations. NewJeans’ Hanni (No. 20) and ENHYPEN’s Ni-ki (No. 22) show how viral audio and performance moments can sustain Google interest. LE SSERAFIM’s Chaewon (No. 29) rounds out the cohort.
BTS: context for the 1–2 finish (and more)
BTS dominate the upper tier: V (1), Jungkook (2), Jimin (7), Suga (9), Jin (11), RM (12), and J‑Hope (17). The inner‑fandom “who is more popular Jungkook or V” conversation will continue, but the bigger picture is that solo and group narratives feed each other. Search spikes often follow magazine drops, rumor cycles, image posts, or soundtrack buzz—moments that bring in casual clickers alongside ARMY.
For the rest of the members, consistent placements inside the top 20 highlight enduring interest across regions and languages. Brands and broadcasters watch these signals when planning global campaigns, special stages, and long‑lead bookings.
Reactions: what fans and media are saying
Reactions range from celebratory graphics to data threads. Fans congratulated V on the No. 1 spot and shared timelines of when searches spiked. Others highlighted Jungkook’s No. 2 as proof of a year‑long two‑horse race.
- Fandom celebrations: congrats posts, fan-made charts, and edits mapping monthly spikes.
- Media chatter: entertainment and fashion press pointed to V’s crossover visibility to explain casual search traffic.
- Cautionary takes: data-focused fans reminded everyone that Google Trends reflects interest surges, not sales or streaming totals.
Why marketers and broadcasters care
Search volume is a shortcut for “who are people curious about right now.” That’s why agencies and brands track it. High placement on a Google-based list suggests easier awareness lifts, while TV producers translate it into potential ratings or clip views.
- Endorsements: High search interest can boost recall for brand ambassadorships and product drops.
- Streaming links: Spikes in Google searches often correlate with jumps in YouTube views or platform streams.
- Event booking: Award shows and festivals use search buzz as one of several inputs when curating special stages.
What to watch next in 2025
This list reflects 2024’s interest—but it’s a moving target. Expect reshuffles after major comebacks, acting debuts, and Fashion Week appearances. Watch how 4th‑gen leaders (Stray Kids, aespa, IVE, NewJeans, ENHYPEN) convert touring and festival headlines into new spikes, and whether BLACKPINK’s solo runs reshuffle their internal order again.
- Follow monthly Google Trends patterns after big events; a single viral stage can swing a member’s ranking for weeks.
- Track brand announcements—global campaigns often come with search bursts in specific regions.
- As award shows and year‑end festivals line up, look for producers to spotlight names that dominate searches in the preceding months.
Curious if the mid‑2025 snapshot will look different? Keep an eye on solo releases and international appearances—those moments usually decide who breaks into (or climbs within) the Top 30 most-searched idols list.
Methodology note and links
The ranking above comes from a media compilation of Google Trends interest data across January–December 2024 and was posted by Allkpop on January 1, 2025. Reminder: Google’s official Year in Search does not publish a dedicated “K‑pop idol” list; outlets derive it by comparing yearly Trends scores. You can read Allkpop’s summary here and explore broader categories on Google’s Year in Search hub.