BTS’ Kim Taehyung: A Dominant Force in K-pop and Beyond
On August 8, 2025, the South Korean media outlet Sports Donga showcased the remarkable influence of BTS member Kim Taehyung, also known as V, across various digital platforms, including Google, Wikipedia, and Instagram. The report inspired immense pride within the fandom, reflecting on V’s unprecedented achievements in the entertainment landscape.
Record-Breaking Searches and Popularity
According to Google Trends, from January to March 2025, Kim Taehyung emerged as the most Googled K-pop star, dominating search rankings in 71 out of 79 countries, highlighted by key markets such as the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Despite being enlisted for military service, he still ranked fourth worldwide among male pop stars, and notably, he was the top solo artist in the ‘World’s Most Searched Male Pop Stars of 2024’ list on Wikipedia. His English Wikipedia page also achieved a staggering 20 million views.
Within just one year and six months, Taehyung surged past 66 million followers on Instagram, setting a record as the fastest K-pop soloist to achieve such a milestone. According to a fan translation shared by user @111taekim111, the media noted:
“The main character in the search bar was always V. V is a person who gets the most ‘curiosity’ right now. Off stage, behind the camera, even when he’s wearing his military uniform. Even at this very moment, someone is taking out their phone and searching for ‘V.’ Why? Because it’s V.”
Fandom Praise Amidst Military Service
The continuous media attention on Kim Taehyung’s popularity during his military service drew admiration from fans, who actively shared their thoughts on social media. One user expressed,
“V the only one main character.”
Fans celebrated Taehyung’s status as a “space-class influencer”and the “emperor of K-pop,”asserting that his appeal remained strong regardless of external criticism. One fan remarked:
“He is a space class influencer beyond the atmosphere of SNS,”
while another pointed out the disparity between the negativity on social media and his continued success:
“So after all this nasty fights on stan Twitter, the real world and real searches still has our baby shining like the star that he is? Yeah, it’s why the antis drag him daily, they keep praying he’ll just go down. Keep trying antis, that man is in a league of his own,”
emphasizing their unwavering support for him.
Kim Taehyung: A Unique Phenomenon
The impact of BTS’ Kim Taehyung extends far beyond typical fame. Fans label him with titles such as “the face of K-pop,”and “a Korean national treasure,”continuously pointing to his individuality and achievements. A user expressed:
“I love the fact that Taehyung is known as Taehyung. Not some other artist’s copy or version. He has his own big impact, his own achievements, his own success because he is Kim TAEHYUNG,”
while another celebrated his multifaceted persona:
“enough of tunas for me anyway, he is the main character, the clout, the face of kpop, idol of idols, Korean national treasure, captain Korea, visual center of kpop, baritone voice of kpop, THEE KIM TAEHYUNG YALL,”
highlighting the enduring fascination with his artistry and charisma.
Recent Milestones and Future Expectations
On February 23, 2025, Taehyung joyfully announced his promotion to Sergeant in the military through an Instagram post, sharing milestone moments with fans:
“I came to report Sergeant Kim’s survival. It’s D-107. The scary winter is over, and I’ll take care of myself in warm spring and get ready for it.”
Additionally, the K-pop sensation collaborated with South Korean singer Park Hyo-shin to release “Winter Ahead”on November 29, 2024, followed by a rendition of the classic “White Christmas”on December 6, 2024.
As anticipation builds, Kim Taehyung is expected to conclude his military service in June 2025, leaving fans eager to see what the future holds for this extraordinary artist.