WHO IS K-POP'S NEXT "WORLD STAGE ICON"? 2026
About this ranking
Jungkook's Dreamers performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar set the benchmark. Lisa is set to perform at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony, the first female artist from a K-pop group to take a World Cup stage. The bar keeps moving, and the K-pop artists who clear it keep joining the list.
This poll asks fans to name who is next. The ballot spans solo artists with crossover momentum and groups that have built global audiences outside K-pop's usual lane. BTS members are expanding their solo profiles, TWICE has kept a steady international presence, and IU carries critical respect that reaches beyond the fandom.
Vote for K-pop's next world stage icon and make your case.
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RM
BTS
60 fans backed RM. Nobody has claimed a name here yet. Vote for RM and yours is first.
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Stray Kids
37 fans backed Stray Kids. Nobody has claimed a name here yet. Vote for Stray Kids and yours is first.
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G-Dragon
BIGBANG
4 fans backed G-Dragon. Nobody has claimed a name here yet. Vote for G-Dragon and yours is first.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is K-pop's next World Stage Icon right now?
V currently leads the fan vote for K-pop's next World Stage Icon, ahead of Jungkook and Jimin. Voting stays open until July 19, 2026.
What does World Stage Icon mean in this poll?
It names the K-pop act fans expect to define the genre on major global stages outside K-pop, following Jungkook's 2022 World Cup performance and Lisa's upcoming spot at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony.
When does voting close for this poll?
Voting closes July 19, 2026. Cast your votes before then to count toward the final ranking.
How does voting work?
Pick your favorite act and vote. Each fan gets 3 votes per hour, and votes reset every hour so you can return and vote again.
How is the ranking calculated?
Each act's score is upvotes minus downvotes. If two acts tie on score, the one with more upvotes ranks higher.
How many acts are on the World Stage Icon ballot?
22 acts are on the ballot, spanning solo artists and groups with global crossover momentum.
Latest comments
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@Juan Jose Juarez Jimenez ❤️ 🔥 1mo ago
Arreglen la foro de park Jimin de bts KingChoice
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@Елена Зырина ❤️ 🔥 🏆 1mo ago
Park_Jimin
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@|₹-𝐕..এর ভাংগা চশমা=±!/ ❤️ 🔥 1mo ago
Hi Guys
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@-//Mochi-!🤍✨🫠 ❤️ 🔥 🏆 1mo ago
Vai eda Abar Kon jimin!!?🙂
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@ᗩᐯO ❤️ 🔥 🏆 1mo ago
𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐊
Head to head
- Jimin vs JUNGKOOK 41 shared polls · 129,240,077 votes
- Jimin vs Eunhyuk 14 shared polls · 103,165,261 votes
- Jimin vs G-Dragon 22 shared polls · 99,658,717 votes
- Jimin vs Kang Daniel 33 shared polls · 98,304,086 votes
- Jimin vs J-hope 30 shared polls · 89,918,694 votes
- Jimin vs Kai 38 shared polls · 88,975,439 votes
