BTS’ V has been named the most searched K-pop star on Google Trends for August 2024, solidifying his status as a global icon.
According to Google Trends, V led the search rankings among K-pop stars throughout August, showcasing his continued popularity. His search graph remained consistently high throughout the month, indicating his strong presence in the public eye despite no major events or issues.
V dominated search queries in 56 out of 70 countries surveyed by Google Trends, leaving out some regions in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. This isn’t the first time V has topped the charts; he previously led Google Trends as Asia’s most searched star in 2021 and 2022.
His Instagram also reflects his massive appeal. Even though he’s currently on hiatus due to military service, V’s Instagram continues to draw substantial attention. According to Phlanx, an internet marketing service, V averages 11.3 million likes per post, making him the top Instagram account globally. This is impressive compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, who, despite having around 635 million followers, averages about 9 million likes per post.
In addition, V holds the record for having the most posts among the top 12 posts with the highest likes on Instagram in 2024, with four of his posts making the list.
Advertisers have made the most of V’s popularity, benefiting from his high media presence. Since August 2023, V has been the official tourism ambassador for Seoul. His role in the ‘Seoul Edition 23’ campaign has received explosive reactions.
The Seoul Tourism Foundation revealed that V’s promotional video aired about 700 million times on global networks like CNN and CNBC and was featured in 2,841 media reports worldwide. Following the release of the video, there was a noticeable increase in foreign visitors to popular filming spots like Bukchon, Seochon, and the Blue House.
V also highlighted Gyeongbokgung Palace as a must-visit spot in Seoul, leading to a significant rise in foreign visitors. The Cultural Heritage Administration reported a 261.9% increase in the number of visitors to the four main palaces and Jongmyo Shrine in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching a total of 1,957,971 visitors.
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