Even while serving his mandatory military duty, BTS’ V, also known as Kim Taehyung, has taken the world by storm, earning the title of the most-searched K-pop star of 2025 on Google. His unstoppable popularity proves that distance from the spotlight can’t dim his shine.
Here’s the big news: BTS’ V has once again shown his global power. Data from Google Trends, a trusted tool that tracks what people search for worldwide, shows he topped the charts as the most-searched K-pop star from January to March 2025. This is no small feat, especially since he’s been away from music and public events due to his military enlistment. Fans and curious folks alike can’t stop looking him up, keeping his name buzzing across the planet.
What’s behind this craze? V is loved for his soulful voice in songs like Inner Child, Sweet Dreams, FRIENDS, and Winter Bear. His charm and talent have hooked people in 71 out of 79 countries tracked by Google Trends. That includes huge places like the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and parts of the Middle East and Central Asia. His reach is massive, and his fans—known as ARMY—are clearly keeping the flame alive.
But he’s not alone in the spotlight. Other big names like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Harry Styles, and Billie Eilish also landed in the top 10 most-searched artists. Even among these global superstars, V stands tall, ranking fourth among the world’s most-searched male pop stars. Only Drake, Eminem, and Justin Bieber are ahead of him. That’s a huge deal for someone who hasn’t dropped new music or stepped on stage in over a year.
Fans got a special treat recently when V shared military updates. On February 23, 2025, he posted photos showing off a stronger, bulkier build and a bright smile, counting down “D-107” days until his discharge. The caption read:
“D-107 Kim Byeongjang survival report! I’m alive and well!”
This update sent X and Google Trends into a frenzy, hitting number one worldwide as fans flooded the internet with excitement.
V’s Journey and Achievements
Kim Taehyung, or V, joined BTS when they debuted on June 13, 2013. Since then, he’s become a standout name in K-pop. Even while serving in the military, his past work and charm keep him trending. He enlisted on December 11, 2023, alongside RM, the group’s leader. After five weeks of basic training, he graduated as an Elite Trainee on January 16, 2024, one of only four out of 800 recruits to earn this honor for top performance.
Then, he took on extra training at the Army General Administration School to join the Special Duty Team (SDT), a tough special forces unit. He’s now stationed with the 2nd Army Military Corps in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, nicknamed the “Double Dragons” SDT unit. His service ends on June 10, 2025, just one day before Jungkook and Jimin wrap up theirs. Suga, working as a public service worker, will finish on June 21, 2025, setting up a full BTS reunion.
Before enlisting, V dropped his solo album Layover on September 8, 2023. It’s a mix of R&B, pop, and jazz, made as a tribute to his dog, Yeontan. Every track—like Love Me Again, Rainy Days, and Slow Dancing—hit over 100 million streams on Spotify by May 2024, a first for a K-pop solo artist. The album racked up this milestone in just 258 days, making it the fastest by an Asian artist.
On Instagram, V rules too. With only 129 posts and following just his BTS bandmates, he’s got 66.9 million followers. He hit 60 million faster than any other K-pop idol—in one year and six months. His good looks have also earned him the Most Handsome Asian Star title in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Who Else Cracked the Top 10?
While V sits at the top, other stars shone bright in the first quarter of 2025. Here’s the full top 10 list of most-searched artists on Google Trends, blending K-pop and global pop icons:
BTS’ V – The undisputed K-pop king, leading with searches in 71 countries.
Drake – The Canadian rapper holds strong with his massive fanbase.
Eminem – The rap legend keeps his name alive with timeless hits.
Justin Bieber – The pop star’s loyal fans keep him trending.
Ariana Grande – Her powerful voice and new projects fuel searches.
Harry Styles – The British singer’s solo career keeps fans hooked.
Billie Eilish – Her unique sound lands her in the top tier.
BTS’ Jungkook – Another BTS member, shining with solo work like Seven.
IU – The Korean singer-actress leads among female K-pop stars.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa – Her solo hits and style keep her buzzing.
Jungkook, V’s bandmate, grabs the eighth spot. His 2023 single Seven with Latto topped the Billboard Hot 100, and fans can’t wait for his return. IU, a beloved Korean artist, shines with her music and acting. Lisa from BLACKPINK rounds out the list, thanks to her solo tracks like LALISA and her bold fashion.
What’s Next for V and BTS?
With V set to return on June 10, 2025, excitement is building. Fans are already dreaming of new music—maybe a follow-up to Layover or fresh BTS tracks. The group’s last full album, Proof, dropped in June 2022, and their hiatus has only made ARMY hungrier for a comeback.
J-Hope, discharged in October 2024, hinted at a 2025 reunion on Weverse, saying:
“When we’re all back together, it’s going to be huge. Everyone will be watching.”
Posts on X show fans losing it over V’s military updates, with comments like “King Taehyung is unstoppable!” and “Can June come faster?” trending worldwide.
Even in uniform, BTS’ V proves he’s a force of nature. His global domination on Google Trends in 2025 shows that his talent, charm, and fan love know no bounds. As his discharge nears, the world waits to see what he’ll do next—both solo and with BTS.
