BTS Members Jungkook and V Shine in 2024 Hallyu White Paper Rankings
The latest 2024 Hallyu White Paper has brought exciting news for fans of K-pop, particularly followers of BTS. The report from the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) highlighted that Jungkook and V are the only two solo K-pop artists featured in the top 15 album sales list. Jungkook’s solo debut album, GOLDEN, amassed an impressive total of 2,702,453 physical album units sold between 2023 and 2024, while V’s album Layover notched up 2,250,093 units during the same timeframe.
In the rankings, Jungkook and V secured the 12th and 13th spots, respectively, showcasing their incredible success as solo artists alongside well-known groups such as SEVENTEEN, TXT, Stray Kids, and aespa. This achievement is particularly noteworthy since both artists reached these sales figures with their debut solo albums released in 2023.
A Celebration of Achievement
As news of their accomplishments spread, fans took to social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to celebrate the significant milestones for Jungkook and V. Many expressed their pride and joy, emphasizing the hard work and dedication of the artists:
“The only 2 solo artists on the list of top 15. When you have talent, no one can hold you back! Fans will go and spend hard earned money to support good music and fabulous artists. (not just sit on an internet cafe) My kings will always rule!”- a fan remarked.
“Ahh… Taehyung and Jungkook are amazing. Congratulations!”- another user expressed.
“It’s amazing that V and Jungkook are ranked so high individually among all the group members. As expected. Congratulations to both of them,”a netizen added.
Support and Criticism from Fans
However, the celebration was tinged with some criticism aimed at BIGHIT MUSIC and HYBE. Certain fans voiced their concerns regarding what they perceived as inadequate recognition of Jungkook and V’s success by their management:
“Jungkook and Taehyung are the best, the only soloists on the list. Don’t you find it ‘interesting’ that the Company treats like sh*t only these two that are their best sellers and most famous?”- a fan pointed out.
“When a company is jealous and vindictive towards its BEST AND MOST POWERFUL ARTISTS, it has already failed…”- another fan commented.
“Tae and JK the ONLY ONE WITH THEIR SOLO WORK.. This too will be ignored by the company and the fanbase. The REALITY is THIS,”a user reacted.
The Rise of Jungkook and V’s Solo Careers
The accomplishments of Jungkook and V over the past two years are remarkable. Jungkook launched his first solo album, GOLDEN, on November 3, 2023, and followed it up in 2024 with the debut of his documentary, I AM STILL. This film, which narrates his personal journey in embracing a solo career, has been recognized as the highest-ranked K-pop documentary concerning Korean film exports, grossing over $9.9 million globally despite limited screenings.
Meanwhile, V has also made waves, becoming the most searched K-pop idol from January to March 2025, according to Google trends. In fact, he managed to achieve this status even while serving in the military, ranking first in search trends across 71 out of 79 countries, including major markets like the United States and the United Kingdom. Notably, in 2024, he was recognized as the sixth most searched male pop star in the world.
As the two BTS members embark on their mandatory military service, which began in December 2023 and is set to conclude in June 2025, fans eagerly anticipate their future projects and continued success.