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On Wednesday, September 4, the Korean media outlet Star News revealed that BTS' Kim Taehyung, otherwise known by his stage name V, was the most searched K-pop star on Google Trends in the month of August 2024.
The idol, Star News explained, ranked at the top of most searches in about 56 countries out of 70 countries from where the Google Trends data is collected. However, these exclude a few countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Additionally, in 2021 and 2022, V ranked as the most searched star on Google Trends in all of Asia.
This factor was also reflected on the idol's Instagram. Though Kim Taehyung is currently serving his mandatory military service and is therefore inactive on Instagram and other social media platforms, his Instagram has been garnering public attention. An internet marketing service provider, Phlanx, revealed that the idol held the highest number of likes among Instagram accounts worldwide.
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He gathered an average like count of 11.3 million per post, which ranks much higher than the famous football player Ronaldo, who gains an average of 9 million likes per post with his 635 million followers. Therefore, the attention and interaction directed towards Kim Taehyung translated into a high level of engagement and loyalty, according to the Korean media outlet, Star News.
Furthermore, advertisers have also been reportedly utilizing the idol's popularity and topicality. Kim Taehyung's service as the official tourism ambassador in the Seoul Edition 23 received a great response. The promotional video was broadcast over 700 million times across various channels like CNN, CNBC, etc.
Many news outlets, including the New York Times, also reported on the significant increases in foreign visitors to filming locations like Bukchon, Seochon, Cheong Wa-dae, etc., after the campaign. Additionally, the number of foreign visitors to the country's major palaces like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine also saw an increase of 269.1% from 2022.
BTS' Kim Taehyung: Latest updates, current activities, and more
Kim Taehyung or BTS's V is a singer-songwriter who debuted in the K-pop boy group under BigHit Entertainment in 2013. While the group continued to gain popularity and recognition in the industry, the idol also established his solo career on the sidelines.
Akin to the other BTS members, V also releases solo tracks on the group's albums. Some of them include Singularity, Inner Child, etc. However, the idol made his official solo debut recently with the release of his first album, LayoVer in September 2023. The album was created as an ode to his pet dog, Yeontan, and was also released on Yeontan's birthday.
The album, revolving around RnB, pop, and jazz musical genres, was greatly received by both fans and common listeners. Soon after his solo debut, on December 11, 2023, the idol enlisted for his mandatory military service. He, alongside RM, completed his military training and graduated as an Elite Trainee for showing outstanding dedication and results in the training.
Kim Taehyung is expected to be discharged in June 2025, after the completion of his 18-month mandatory service period.
