BTS V (Kim Taehyung) has solidified his position as one of the world’s most influential celebrities, ranking third globally just behind football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. According to a recent report by influencer analytics platform HypeAuditor, V is the highest-ranked entertainer on the list of ‘Top 1000 Most Influential Global Influencers’, surpassing stars like Selena Gomez (4th) and Kendall Jenner (5th).
Despite recently completing his mandatory military service, V’s social media dominance remains unmatched. His Instagram engagement and follower growth continue to break records, proving his massive global appeal even without active music promotions.
V Dominates Social Media With Unmatched Engagement
As of July 4, 2025, V has 68.07 million Instagram followers, with 12.4 million coming from the U.S. alone—the highest for any K-pop artist. In just 25 days after his military discharge, he gained 1.22 million new followers, the fastest growth rate among K-pop stars.
SocialBook, another influencer marketing platform, reports that V’s engagement rate over the past 60 days is 20.6%, the highest among all global celebrities. Even with restricted comments on his posts, his average likes per post exceed 14 million, a rare feat matched by very few stars.
“V’s influence is no joke. He has become a very trustworthy name in his country and beyond.” – An X user
“Global Icon BTS V topped the list as the ‘most searched K-pop star on Google’ in the first half of 2025, showcasing global popularity.” – @BTSV_supremacy
V Outperforms Western Stars in Key Markets
While Ronaldo and Messi lead globally, V holds his own in major markets:
- Ranked 3rd in the U.S.
- 1st in the U.K.
- 3rd in Brazil, a major K-pop hub
He also ranked first in the music category, reinforcing his status as a top-tier pop artist. His influence extends beyond music, with luxury brands like CELINE and Cartier seeing massive sales boosts due to his endorsements.
Fashion and Brand Power: The “V Effect”
V’s recent trip to Paris for the CELINE Spring 2026 fashion show caused a global buzz. His departure trended on Google in over 40 countries, and phrases like “HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT TAEHYUNG” dominated X (formerly Twitter) trends.
The “V Effect” is well-documented—when he wears or endorses a product, it sells out instantly. For example:
- The Cartier watch he wore after his military discharge (worth $13,500 USD) sold out the same day.
- His association with CELINE generated $275 million USD in earned media value in less than a year.
“His name is already a household name locally & internationally, not just in music but within the whole entertainment industry. He slowly but surely made his own way up, created his own path, and he did it successfully.” – A fan comment
Military Service Didn’t Slow Him Down
Even during his military service, V remained a trending figure:
- Ranked 4th among male pop stars globally in 2024, behind only Drake, Eminem, and Justin Bieber.
- Topped Google’s most-searched K-pop star list in 75 out of 81 countries in the first half of 2025.
The day of his military discharge (June 10, 2025) saw his name surge to the top of global search rankings, with over 1,000 media outlets covering the event.
What’s Next for V?
With his military service behind him, fans eagerly await his next moves—whether in music, fashion, or other ventures. His recent appearances at j-hope’s concert and Jin’s solo tour launch hint at more activities with BTS members.
For now, V continues to break records, proving that his influence is not just about music but his undeniable star power across industries.
Also read: BTS’ V Urges Fans to Avoid Dangerous Crowding at Airport Before Paris Fashion Week Trip
Credits: Reports from HypeAuditor, SocialBook, Google Trends, and fan reactions on social media.
