Blackpink members Lisa, Jennie, Rosé and Jisoo top the list, but Exo’s Chanyeol, Sehun and Baekhyun aren’t far behind
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Jennie from BLACKPINK, Baekhyun from Exo, Jackson Wang, G-Dragon and IU. Photos: @jennierubyjane; @baekhyunee_exo; @jacksonwang852g7; @dlwlrma/ Instagram, @MGBB88/Twitter
So – music charts and TV shows aside – who are the K-pop idols getting the most attention from fans on social media?
1. BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK perform at the Sahara Tent during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. Photo: Getty Images for Coachella/TNS
It’s not surprising that all four BLACKPINK members are the most-followed Instagram idols, according to K-pop Database’s list, which is sorted according to follower count. Lisa tops the list with 46.1 million followers. Jennie comes in second place with 39.2 million, and Rosé and Jisoo aren’t far behind, tied with 35.5 million at the time of writing.
Their social media star power hasn’t gone unnoticed by the luxury fashion world, either. All four members have been tapped as muses for different brands: Jennie for Chanel, Rose for Saint Laurent, Lisa for Celine, and Jisoo for Dior.
2. Chanyeol, Sehun and Baekhyun from Exo
An Exo concert in Malaysia in 2019. Photo: SM Entertainment
BLACKPINK might be the hottest K-pop girl group of the moment, but Exo is an icon in its own right. It’s no wonder then that three Exo members – Chanyeol, Sehun and Baekhyun – are within the top 10 of most-followed K-pop idols on Instagram. Chanyeol ranks No 5 with 22.7 million followers, with Sehun hot on his trail at No 7 with 21.2 million and Baekhyun at No 8 with 20 million.
Chanyeol from Exo. Credit: SM Entertainment
Aside from “Exo Planet #5 – Exploration” in early 2020, the live album of the group’s concert tour in July and August 2019, Exo hasn’t released new music since the Korea-exclusive album “Obsession” at the end of 2019. This is partly because some of its members have been serving their military duty. Chanyeol, Baekhyun and Sehun still haven’t started theirs, although Chanyeol and Baekhyun, both born in 1992, are nearing the age limit of enlisting.
Exo’s members have also increasingly focused on solo activities in recent years, with Chanyeol releasing his first single SSFW in 2019 and Baekhyun releasing his second mini-album “Delight” in 2020.
3. Jackson Wang from Got7
Following BLACKPINK and Exo, Jackson Wang from Got7 is the sixth most-followed K-pop star on Instagram with 21.7 million followers. Hong Kong rapper Jackson has many talents: not only is he a rapper, but a singer and a dancer, too. Besides his career in South Korea, he is also active in China as a solo artist and television host.
Jackson Wang founded a record label and a fashion brand. Photo: @teamjacksonwangg/Instagram
And his skills aren’t limited to the entertainment world, either. He is the founder of record label Team Wang and the creative director and lead designer for fashion brand Team Wang Design.
Since his contract with JYP Entertainment ended recently and he decided not to renew it, fans are looking forward to seeing what he delivers next now that his Got7 era has come to a close.
4. G-Dragon
G-Dragon shows off his style. Photo: @xxxibgdrgn/Instagram
Despite spending a year and a half on military service from 2018 to 2019, and not having released a new single in four years – his last one was Untitled, 2014 in 2017 – G-Dragon is still the ninth most-followed K-pop star on Instagram with 19.1 million followers.
And those who have been waiting for the King of K-pop’s triumphant return will be happy to learn that he will (hopefully) make his comeback this year with a new solo album.
G-Dragon dons a more low profile look. Photo: @gdragon_fanpage88/Instagram
In November 2020, G-Dragon’s agency, YG Entertainment, officially announced that he is currently working on a new album that will be released soon. It will be his first project after his solo EP “Kwon Ji Yong” in 2017 and the single Flower Road in 2018, which was Big Bang’s very last activity as a group.
His fans not only admire his talents as a K-pop singer, but his inimitable taste in fashion too.
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5. IU
IU on the official instagram of Edam Entertainment. Photo: @edam.official/Instagram
Last but not least, IU comes in at No 10 on the list with 18.4 followers. Ever since her debut in 2008, IU has continuously shown her talents as a singer, songwriter and actress. She has released numerous hit songs including Blueming, which recently won the grand prize at the Golden Disc Awards, Love Poem and Twenty-three, and has also starred in top K-dramas like Dream High, The Producers and Hotel Del Luna. Her cute charm has also earned her the nickname of “nation’s little sister”.
On January 27, she released her latest single Celebrity, and its music video received 11.6 million worldwide views on YouTube the week of its release, ranking No 28 on the Global YouTube Music Videos Chart.
As the song describes the celebrity lifestyle and features some warm, cheerful lyrics, many fans wonder whether the song commemorates Sulli from F(x), a close friend of IU who passed away in 2019.
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BLACKPINK Lisa Tops 'Idol with Most Instagram Likes - See Other Idols in the List
BLACKPINK members Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé swept the ranking for the most-liked Instagram posts from a K-pop idol.
According to "Best Nine," Lisa, a member of BLACKPINK, is the Korean Insta-celeb who received the most "likes" last year. The main dancer and rapper of the group are one of the most followed K-pop idols on the social media platform with 44.4 million followers and she amazingly received 987.44 million likes for 309 posts. (as of Dec. 31)
Above all, Thai national Lisa recently opened a Chinese social media Weibo account, surpassing 5 million followers in a short period of time.Lisa is loved by fans all over the world for her colorful charms.
In particular, "Best Nine" or also known as "Top Nine" is a service provided on Instagram which served as its year-end ranking or wrapped-up list.
Following Lisa, Jennie came in second place with 279 posts, receiving 695.18 million likes.
The main vocalist Rosé also ranked third with 245 posts, receiving 569.54 million "likes." Jisoo then ranked fifth place as she has received 433.05 million "likes" with 191 posts.
EXO members also entered the ranking such as EXO's Chanyeol (fourth place), EXO's Sehun (sixth place), and EXO's Baekhyun at eight places.
Meanwhile, BIGBANG G-Dragon and GOT7 Jackson ranked in seventh and ninth places, completing the top 9.
BLACKPINK Lisa and Rosé to Debut as Solo Artists
The global group BLACKPINK member Lisa is heralded to debut as a solo artist, raising the expectations of her fans worldwide.
On Dec. 30 last year, YG Entertainment, the agency of BLACKPINK, and Lisa confirmed her solo debut along with Rosé.
Earlier, it was then announced that the MV filming of the two artists concluded, earning more anticipation from BLINKs (BLACKPINK fandom) if what kind of concepts and theme Lisa and Rosé will be giving.
Jennie was the first BLACKPINK member to start her solo career. It swept major music charts in South Korea by releasing "SOLO" in November 2018. Lisa and Rosé will follow, while Jisoo was also hinted to have solo releases after shooting her debut drama, "Snowdrop."
BLACKPINK Releases This January, Such as Season Greetings and Online Concert
Recently, it was announced that BLACKPINK will meet global fans by their first online show and concert, "THE SHOW."
The quartet initially planned to do the show last December, but due to the surge of coronavirus in Korea, it was postponed.
It was, later on, announced that "YG PALM STAGE - 2020 BLACKPINK: THE SHOW" to be held on January 31, this year.
Prior to this, YGE is also planning to hold BLACKPINK's fan signing event for "2021 Season's Greeting" on January 5.
It is a surprise event for fans who have purchased the original DVD and kit video versions of the Season's Greetings.
BLACKPINK's "2021 Season's Greeting," included various components such as the lovely appearance of members enjoying the pajama party, a photo book of the concept of "four-color angels", a set of three calendars, and a scheduler.
