06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
BTS's V aka Kim Taehyung ranks 3rd among global influencers, beating Selena Gomez, Kendall Jenner; leads as top Asian celebrity
BTS' V, whose real name is Kim Taehyung, is making waves once again, proving his status as a global icon. Just weeks after completing his military service, the singer has proven his star power remains as strong as ever, this time by topping global influencer charts and dominating Instagram engagement rankings.
BTS' V just behind Ronaldo and Messi on global list
According to a recent report by HypeAuditor, V ranked third on the 'Top 1000 Most Influential Global Influencers' list, trailing only football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Notably, V is not only the highest-ranked Asian celebrity on the list but also the top-ranked entertainer, surpassing global heavyweights like Selena Gomez (4th) and Kendall Jenner (5th).
Kim Taehyung| Image Credit: X
Regionally, the BTS singer placed third in the U.S., claimed the number one spot in the U.K., and ranked third in Brazil, which is a key market for K-pop fans worldwide. He also took first place in the music category, underscoring his influence even without recent music promotions.
V's Instagram stats show unmatched engagement
On Instagram, V's dominance is just as clear. As of July 4 (KST), he boasts over 68.07 million followers, with more than 12.4 million coming from the U.S., the highest for any K-pop artist.
His follower count surged by 1.22 million in just 25 days following his military discharge, marking the fastest growth rate among K-pop stars. Influencer marketing platform SocialBook reports that V's engagement rate is an astounding 20.6%, the highest among global celebrities.
Despite limiting comments on his posts, his average likes exceed 14 million per post, with recent uploads consistently drawing over 12.5 million likes, surpassing even Hollywood elites.
BTS star turns head with his Paris appearance
Most recently, V flew to Paris on July 4 to attend a Celine fashion show, where he serves as a global ambassador. His departure sparked a global frenzy, with "HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT TAEHYUNG" trending worldwide on X (formerly Twitter). His name dominated Google Trends in over 40 countries, including South Korea, the U.S., France, the U.K., and Japan.
Though the main event is still ahead, V has already been turning heads on social media with his effortlessly stylish looks. From posing in front of the Eiffel Tower in a black tank top and leather jacket to pulling off a sheer t-shirt with ease, the Layover hitmaker's Paris trip has already become a masterclass in fashion.
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Meanwhile, on the music front, V has yet to share any updates about his solo return, but BTS has officially confirmed a group comeback set for spring 2026 with a new album in the works. A world tour is also on the horizon, though specific details are still under wraps.
