WHO IS K-POP'S NEXT "WORLD STAGE ICON"? 2026

115893 total votes · 22 options Closed Ends in

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.

1

V

BTS
About V →

Closed
2

Jimin

BTS
About Jimin →

Closed
3

Jungkook

BTS
About JUNGKOOK →

Closed
4

j-hope

BTS
About J-hope →

Closed
5

Lisa

BLACKPINK
About Lisa →

Closed
6

Suga

BTS
About Suga →

Closed
7

Jin

BTS
About Jin →

Closed
8

RM

BTS
About Rm →

Closed
9

TWICE
About TWICE →

Closed
10

Jisoo

BLACKPINK
About Jisoo →

Closed
11

Jennie

BLACKPINK
About Jennie →

Closed
12

ROSÉ

BLACKPINK
About Rosé →

Closed
13

Stray Kids
About STRAY KIDS →

Closed
14

IU
About Lee ji eun →

Closed
15

TOMORROW X TOGETHER
About TXT →

Closed
16

ATEEZ
About ATEEZ →

Closed
17

G-Dragon

BIGBANG
About G-Dragon →

Closed
18

aespa
About aespa →

Closed
19

LE SSERAFIM
About Le Sserafim →

Closed
20

(G)I-DLE
About (G)I-DLE →

Closed
21

SEVENTEEN
About SEVENTEEN →

Closed
22

Taeyang

BIGBANG
About Taeyang →

Closed

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
@Елена Зырина · 1mo ago

Park_Jimin
@|₹-𝐕..এর ভাংগা চশমা=±!/ · 1mo ago

Hi Guys
@-//Mochi-!🤍✨🫠 · 1mo ago

Vai eda Abar Kon jimin!!?🙂
@ᗩᐯO · 1mo ago

𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐊