Kim Taehyung, also known as V of BTS, has officially been named the most searched K-pop idol on Google for the 21st century, according to a new report from SoapCentral, which analyzed Google Trends data spanning from 2013 to 2025.
Taehyung topped the list ahead of fellow BTS member Jungkook, with other major K-pop figures like IU, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, and BTS’ Jimin also ranking high. Despite serving in South Korea’s mandatory military service from December 2023 to June 2025, V maintained his dominant global popularity.
According to the data, Taehyung has been the most searched BTS member globally since the group’s debut in 2013, with consistent interest peaking again in 2024 and 2025.
His solo projects, including the 2023 album Layover — which became the fastest Asian album to hit 100 million Spotify streams per track — helped sustain fan engagement during his enlistment.
His success didn’t stop there. Taehyung’s single “FRI(END)S” (released March 2024), as well as collaborations with IU and Park Hyo-shin, kept his name trending throughout his service period.
Upon his military discharge in June 2025, his return to social media drew massive attention — his first Instagram post gained over 1 million followers in a matter of days, and his surprise appearance at BTS member Jin’s concert triggered a 100% spike in Google searches, according to Moneycontrol.
Taehyung’s influence extends far beyond music. He is a global brand ambassador for Celine and Compose Coffee, with both brands reporting growth spikes of 51% and a staggering 513.2%, respectively, following his endorsement.
On social media platform X, hashtags like #Kinghyung, #GlobalItBoy, and #VMostSearched trended worldwide, with fan accounts such as @SKPopCulture and @VGlobalUnion celebrating the milestone. Fans praised his unmatched appeal, calling the recognition “well-deserved.”
Taehyung also holds Guinness World Records for the fastest time to reach 1 million and 10 million followers on Instagram, and his OSTs “Sweet Night” and “Christmas Tree” remain Spotify’s most-streamed Korean OSTs, adding to his long list of achievements.
As BTS’ members gradually return from military service, V’s sustained popularity serves as a strong sign of the group’s continued global influence.
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