So — guess who just dropped a “not-so-subtle reminder” that he’s still one of the biggest names in K-pop? Yep, V. According to the latest from Forbes Korea, V ranked #5 on their 2025 Top 30 K-Idols of the Year list. And here’s the kicker: among male idols this year, he’s the highest-placed.
Pause for a second and let that sink in. This isn’t about a recent comeback or a viral drop. V — for a good part of 2025 reportedly on break thanks to military service — still landed top five among all idols. That says a few things loud and clear: popularity doesn’t fade because of a solo-less hiatus, relevance doesn’t wait for new content, and “legacy + vibes + hype” is a formula that still works mighty well.
What really hit me is this: while some idols sprint for headlines, trending hashtags, and quick comebacks, V just glided — quietly, consistently, powerfully. His metrics must’ve screamed “influence,” “impact,” and “presence,” even while he wasn’t actively dropping content. Social buzz? Check. Global fandom chatter? Double check. Recognition from a heavyweight like Forbes Korea? ✅
Fans reacted as you’d expect: with admiration, disbelief, and a sense of pride that the “silent king” still rules. Calls like “THE KING of 2025” started floating. Not because of drama. Not because of noise. Because of weight. Presence. Influence. The kind that follows you even when you’re off-duty.
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a personal win for V. It’s a statement — to industry watchers, media, maybe even some doubters. A solo or group comeback might change the numbers, but right now this shows one unshakeable truth: a good idol doesn’t need constant comebacks to stay on top — sometimes it’s enough to just be. And with that, V just raised the standard again.
So yeah. Cheers to V for reminding everyone why we don’t need to wait for the next release to remember what he’s capable of. Some people make noise. Some make history. Some quietly walk in, take a seat at the table, and still command the room. V belongs in that second group.
