Every year, Forbes Korea compiles the Top 40 Power Celebrities who dominate their respective fields, from idols to sports players. It’s a prestigious achievement for fans to see their favourite celebrities’ names on the Forbes list. This year is also not an exception as new names are listed each year, making it an annual excitement.
This year’s highly-anticipated Top 40 Power Celebrities is dominated by sports players like Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Lee Jeong-hoo and Lee Kang-in. Showcasing their immense influence, both in sports and outside. Additionally, trot singers have also made their mark on the list, especially Lim Young-woong.
Here are the Top 10 Korean Celebrities in the Forbes 2024 list:
1. Blackpink (블랙핑크)
Formed in August 2016, the multinational girl group Blackpink consists of Jisoo and Jennie from Korea, Lisa from Thailand, and Rose, who holds dual nationality. While there is no designated leader, Jisoo and Jennie are recognised as lead vocalists, Rose as the lead dancer, and Lisa as the lead rapper. True to their name, Blackpink has established themselves as talented idols beyond just looks. Their 2020 album “THE ALBUM” made history as the first Korean girl group to achieve million-seller status. Additionally, all members are ambassadors for various global high-end brands due to their significant international acclaim.
2. Son Heung-min (손흥민)
Son Heung-min plays for Tottenham Hotspurs FC and captained the South Korea national team since 2018. Renowned for his leadership and goal-scoring ability, he’s considered the greatest player in Korean football history. In 2022, Son joined the FIFA Century Club as the 14th player in Korean history, with over 100 international appearances. His early success is often credited to his father, Son Woong-jung, a former football player.
3. New Jeans (뉴진스)
New Jeans, a multinational girl group, debuted in July 2022 with members Minji, Hae-rin, Hye-in, Hani, and Danielle. Their name reflects their ambition to become enduring icons, much like timeless jeans. Forbes recognised their potential, naming them among the “30 Influential People Under 30 in Asia” in May 2023, acknowledging their rise in the K-pop industry. Within just one year, New Jeans earned a nomination for the Billboard Music Award (BBMA) in four categories, including “Top Billboard Global Artist” (excluding US), “Top Global K-Pop Artist”, “Top K-Pop Album”, and “Top K-Pop Song.”
4. Kim Min-jae (김민재)
Kim Min-jae is the centre-back for FC Bayern Munich, excelling in the German Bundesliga. Honoured as Serie A’s best defender in 2022-23, he also ranked 22nd among defenders in the 2023 Ballon d’Or. Established by “France Football” in 1956, the Ballon d’Or recognised the season’s top performer. He inherited his athleticism from his parents who excelled in judo and track and field.
5. Lim Young-woong (임영웅)
Lim Young-woong, the “hero” of Trot, reclaimed his spot on the Power Celebrity 40 list. His victory on “Tomorrow is Mr. Trot” in 2020, with 23% of the popular vote, earned him the title “Jin”. His debut album “IM HERO” in 2022 broke records with over 1.1 million copies sold in the first week, setting a new standard for solo singers. Before this, he released digital singles like “I Hate You” (2016), “What’s the Matter?” (2017), and “Elevator” (2018).
6. Lee jeong-hoo (이정후)
Lee Jeong-hoo is the San Francisco Giants outfielder and the son of Lee Jong-beom, earning him the nickname “Son of the Wind”. With a plethora of awards, including five Golden Gloves, two batting titles, and an MVP, he’s known as “The Grandson of the Wind”. After leading the Kiwoom Heroes in 2023, he inked a groundbreaking six-year USD113 million (RM535,902,499) contract with the Giants, making him the top-paid KBO League-to-MLB player.
7. Park Jimin (박지민)
As a member of BTS, Jimin excels as the main dancer and lead vocalist. He released his debut solo album “FACE” in March 2024, writing and composing all its songs. The track “Promise” received fan praise as Jimin’s first composed song. His global appeal led to his appointment as a global ambassador for Tiffany & Co. in March 2023.
8. Lee Kang-in (이강인)
Lee Kang-in is the attacking midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain FC in France, with a stellar career. Starting at Incheon United FC in 2008, he moved to Valencia CF in Spain in 2011, and then to RCD Mallorca in 2021. Throughout his career, he’s earned numerous awards, including the 2019 FIFA U-2- World Cup Golden Ball/Asist King and the 2023 Tropee des Champions MOTM.
9. Jeon Jungkook (전정국)
Born in 1997, Jungkook is the youngest member of the seven-member boy group BTS. He’s known for his versatility despite his age, taking on roles as the main vocalist, lead dancer, and sub-rapper, which earns him the apt nickname of the “Golden Maknae”. His solo album released in November 2023, titled “GOLDEN”, solidified his status as the first K-pop solo singer to surpass 5 billion streams on Spotify.
10. IVE (아이브)
IVE, a six-member girl group, debuted in December 2021. The name “IVE” reflects their ambition to showcase their talents proudly. The group includes Japanese member Rei and Korean members Gaeul, Lee Seo, Liz and Jang Won-young. An Yu-jin leads the group, while Rei serves as both the rapper and vocalist, and Gaeul contributes as a rapper. Their confident girl image has fueled their surge in popularity among a broad audience.
Other artists named in the Forbes 40 list include idol-turned-actor Cha Eun Woo (차은우), girl group Le Sserafim (르세라핌) and entertainer Yoo Jaesuk (유재석). Unfortunately, we couldn’t everyone in this article so for the full list, be sure to visit Forbes Korea’s official website. Did any of your favourites made it on the list?
Source: Forbes Korea
Sabrina Azahar contributed to this article.
