BLACKPINK’s Lisa Tops as Global K-pop Female Favorite — But Who's the Male Idol Favorite?

KOFICE (Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange), under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, plays a key role in advancing international cultural exchanges and promoting Korean culture worldwide. Recently, KOFICE released the results of their 2025 Global Hallyu Survey, revealing fascinating insights about the impact of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) across the globe.

As a government-affiliated foundation, KOFICE is responsible for promoting international cultural exchange, with a particular focus on spreading the influence of Hallyu — a movement that has significantly shaped global perceptions of Korean culture, particularly in K-pop, Korean dramas, and films.

2025 Global Hallyu Survey Findings

The results come from the 2025 Global Hallyu Survey (based on 2024 data), jointly conducted by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE). The survey, released on April 7, collected responses from 26,400 people across 28 countries, offering a snapshot of Korean pop culture's global influence.

BTS Continues to Reign as the Global Favorite

Despite a hiatus due to military enlistment, BTS has once again claimed the top spot as the most popular K-pop artist or group overseas — marking their seventh consecutive year at No. 1. The survey highlights K-pop’s global reach and BTS’s unmatched popularity even as the group experiences a period of individual activity rather than full group promotions.

BTS Leads in K-pop, Even During Enlistment

BTS secured 29.1% of the global vote, maintaining their dominance in overseas K-pop preference despite group activities being paused due to military service. Analysts credit this to the members' highly successful solo careers, which have kept individual visibility strong.

Jungkook and Jimin also made individual waves, ranking 3rd and 4th respectively in the Middle East region — a testament to their broadening appeal.

BLACKPINK Holds Strong at No. 2

BLACKPINK followed closely behind with 13.1%, securing the No. 2 spot for the sixth year in a row. Individually, Lisa garnered 2.6%, landing at 5th in the Asia-Pacific region, while Rosé made her debut on the Middle Eastern charts with 1.0%.

Dramas & Films: The Power of 'Squid Game' and 'Parasite'

In the realm of Korean dramas, ‘Squid Game’ remains the most preferred series, with 9.7% of respondents selecting it as their favorite, marking its fourth consecutive year at No. 1. Other popular dramas included ‘Queen of Tears’ at 6.5%, and ‘Crash Landing on You’ with 2.2%. Notably, new 2024 releases such as ‘Running with the Reaper’, ‘Hellbound: The Judge from Hell’, and ‘Marry My Husband’ entered the rankings, showing strong international interest. The newly released ‘Squid Game 2’ was not included in this survey, as it was launched after the data collection period.

Meanwhile, Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ took the lead once again in the film category with 8.3%, making it the most favored Korean movie overseas for the sixth year straight.

In the Hallyu stars category, actor Lee Min-ho continues to reign as the most preferred celebrity for the 12th consecutive year, receiving 7.0% of the votes.

K-pop: The Global Ambassador of Korean Culture

For the eighth consecutive year, K-pop has remained the most recognized aspect of Korean culture when foreigners think of Korea. This highlights K-pop's dominance not just as a genre of music, but as a global cultural phenomenon, cementing its role as the defining cultural export of Korea.

This achievement also emphasizes the vibrant influence of Korean music in shaping cultural trends worldwide, with millions of fans across continents embracing the genre, driving everything from fashion to language trends.

Global Hallyu Continues to Rise

From BTS to BLACKPINK, these K-pop stars' continued dominance is a testament to their unprecedented global appeal, which transcends borders, languages, and cultural backgrounds. As global ambassadors for Korean culture, they have set a standard for other K-pop groups and have helped expand the reach of Hallyu into new and diverse markets.

Through these efforts, KOFICE continues to foster cultural exchange and promote Korea’s cultural influence across the world. By championing K-pop and other cultural exports, they not only contribute to the success of Korean entertainment but also enhance Korea’s image globally as a cultural leader.

Get the latest on K-pop & K-drama here!