A survey was recently conducted to list out the most loved K-pop idols in South Korea. Data were collected from Korean participants of both K-pop fans and non-Kpop fans/general public. 

The data collected suggest that BTS Jungkook ranks #1 as the most loved K-pop idol in South Korea for the past 3 years. ASTRO member slash famous Korean drama actor Cha Eun Woo —who is also Jungkook’s fellow 97-liner squad member— ranks second, while BLACKPINK member Jennie Kim comes in third place. 

#1 BTS Jungkook

Jungkook’s phenomenal impact in causing products to sell out and growing businesses in South Korea has constantly made huge headlines in Korean media— Downy, TEAZEN’s Kombucha, Zijangsa hanbok and Lamodechief, among many others. Jungkook is well-known as the “Sold Out King” not only in South Korea but internationally too, as not many celebrities have this kind of massive influence on the masses. It speaks volume of Jungkook’s real-life brand reputation, and the fact that Jungkook had helped so many small businesses grow is what makes the Korean public respect him even more. 

Jungkook’s solo songs are thriving on Korean charts. He is the BTS member with the most combined streams on MelOn and Genie, and the most combined digital points on Gaon. Posts about Jungkook are always trending daily on Korean online communities such as theqoo.

When Jungkook was randomly mentioned in popular K-drama “Crash Landing On You” as a subject of admiration, it further cements his spot as the public’s heartthrob. It comes to no surprise that Jungkook is voted the most loved K-pop idol in South Korea, but he also receives major love worldwide. This is proven with him dominating major social media platforms, such as being the most searched K-pop idol on Google and Youtube worldwide, most viewed hashtag on TikTok, among many others. 

#2 ASTRO Cha Eun Woo

Cha Eun Woo is a member of idol group ASTRO, an actor as well as a model. Besides singing, his career in acting is just as prominent. He debuted in acting as early as 2014 in the film “My Brilliant Life.”

In 2018, Eunwoo was casted in JTBC romantic comedy series “Gangnam Beauty,” his first leading role on television. He saw a rise in popularity after the series aired, and was then included in GQ Korea's ‘Men of the Year’.

In December 2020, Eunwoo began starring as the male lead in the tvN drama “True Beauty,” based on the webtoon of the same name. He portrays Lee Su-ho, a "perfect man" who pays no attention to others.
In 2019 MBC Drama awards, Eunwoo won Excellence Award for an Actor and Best Couple Award with Shin Se-Kyung.

#3 BLACKPINK Jennie

Jennie is famous for her chic aura, as well as her multi-talents especially in singing, rapping and dancing.

Being one of the most outstanding members in K-pop sensation BLACKPINK, Jennie also had made a name for herself when she made her solo debut in November 2018, with her single “Solo.” The song was a commercial success domestically and internationally, topping both the Gaon Digital Chart and Billboard World Digital Songs chart. On November 25 the same year, Jennie received her first music show win as a solo artist on Inkigayo.

Other K-pop idols who made it into the Top10 of the list are IU, BTS V, BTS Jimin, Kang Daniel, Hyuna, Taemin, and Minho. See the full list of Top20 below: