Voting for the “Celebrity Power 40”, organized by Forbes Korea, is currently running on the global K-pop platform Mnet Plus. This ranking aims to identify the most influential figures representing South Korea in various industries.
According to early voting data, G-Dragon and BTS are leading a tight race at the top. As of April 28, the ninth day since voting began, G-Dragon holds 47.4% of the votes, while BTS follows closely with 46.2%, creating a narrow gap of 1.2 percentage points. Cha Eun-woo is at a disadvantage, forming a competitive structure among the top three.
THE “Celebrity Power 40” ranking goes beyond the simple metric of popularity. It rates celebrities based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including annual income, media exposure, social media influence and fan voting results. Taking into consideration the results obtained in the fields of radio broadcasting, advertising, music and concerts, the index establishes itself as a symbolic measure of influence within the cultural industry.
This year’s voting period runs from April 20 to May 10 and includes approximately 70 candidates. In the music category, artists such as Kim Dahyun, Kim Hee-jae, Song Ga-in, Lim Young-woong, Jang Yoon-jeong and Cho Yong-pil compete alongside multi-entertainers such as Suzy, IU, YoonA and Lee Junho. Global idol groups also feature prominently, including all members of BTS, BLACKPINK, Jang Wonyoung, and Karina.
In the acting category, stars such as Park Bo-gum, Son Ye-jin, Song Hye-kyo and Lee Byung-hun were nominated. The sports category includes global figures such as Son Heung-min, Kim Yuna and Lee Kang-in, highlighting an interdisciplinary battle of influence. Famous people such as Yoo Jae-suk, Shin Dong-yup and Jun Hyun-moo also participate in the broadcasts.
The selection process begins with the identification of the candidate through the portal’s search rankings, followed by the calculation of a “celebrity index” which combines revenue, media buzz, major awards and fan voting results. In particular, fan votes directly impact the final ranking, making fandom mobilization a key and decisive factor in determining the result.
One of the most compelling aspects of this year’s vote is the “competition between genres”. With singers, actors, athletes and hosts competing on an equal footing, attention is focused on who will ultimately claim first place.
The ultimate winner will receive prizes including an advertisement in Forbes Korea magazine, online media exposure and a commemorative trophy. A representative from Forbes Korea pointed out that the index serves as a comprehensive assessment of a celebrity’s impact beyond popularity, reflecting their influence across markets and culture, and serving as a barometer for the current state of the Korean celebrity industry.
Sources: Nate
