Kim Taehyung, Alias V, Dominates Google Trends as the Most-Seached K-Pop Star
According to a report by KStarTrend on November 6, 2024, Kim Taehyung, widely recognized as V from the renowned group BTS, emerged as the most sought-after K-pop star on Google Trends for the month of October 2024. Impressively, V topped the search charts in 59 out of 67 countries, highlighting his global appeal.
Even amidst his military service, where promotional endeavors have been limited, V managed to attract exceptional search traffic among K-pop idols. Data indicated that he was the most searched for the keyword “Most Searched K-pop Star”throughout October 2024.
In previous years, V was also celebrated as the most-searched K-pop celebrity in Asia, according to Star News, capturing the top spot in both 2021 and 2022. His popularity has surged, positioning him as one of the most followed male pop stars worldwide. In 2024, he ranked fourth among global music icons, trailing only behind heavyweights such as Drake, Eminem, and Justin Bieber.
In the broader landscape of pop artists, V secured the twelfth place, standing alongside industry giants such as Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Harry Styles, and Billie Eilish. Furthermore, he established a record with over 10 million views on his Wikipedia page, marking him as the K-pop artist with the highest page views.
Unprecedented Success of V’s Debut Solo Album “Layover”
On September 8, 2024, V released his debut solo album titled Layover, featuring the emotionally resonant track “Slow Dancing.”This album consists of six well-crafted songs that showcase his versatility, expertly blending jazz, R&B, and soul influences.
The album also includes previously released singles “Love Me Again”and “Rainy Days,”alongside B-sides “Blue,””For Us,”and an instrumental version of “Slow Dancing.”The creative direction of the album was shaped through a collaboration with Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR, known for cultivating a distinctive aesthetic that harmonizes V’s artistry with minimalist and visually engaging music videos.
Upon its release, Layover garnered significant acclaim, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, making V the second-highest charting Korean solo artist to date. The Korea Times reported that “Rainy Days”achieved the number one spot on iTunes charts across more than 70 countries, including pivotal music markets like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Continuing his journey, V enlisted in the South Korean military on December 11, 2023. Following a rigorous five-week training program, he graduated as one of four elite soldiers out of an impressive group of 800 recruits on January 16, 2024. Just two days later, on January 18, he commenced additional training at the Army General Administration School, preparing for his role in the Special Duty Team (SDT) within the esteemed “Double Dragons”unit located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.
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