K-pop idols, rising actors, and even a celebrity chef—Korean stars have once again proven their global influence by making it onto Forbes' prestigious '30 Under 30 Asia' list.
🌏 Forbes Unveils 2025 Asia List of 30 Most Influential Under 30
On May 15 (KST), Forbes revealed its annual 30 Under 30 Asia list, highlighting the region's most impactful young talents across categories like entertainment, sports, and food.
🎤 K-pop Acts & Actors Take Over the Entertainment & Sports Category
Two boy groups and three actors were included in the Entertainment & Sports section:
- Stray Kids
- BIG OCEAN
- Cha Eun-woo
- Go Min-si
- Ha Yerin
🎶 Stray Kids: Billboard Kings & Time Leaders
Forbes noted that Stray Kids had topped the Billboard 200 three times and were also named to TIME Magazine's Next Generation Leaders list.
🌊 BIG OCEAN: Breaking Barriers
BIG OCEAN was recognized as the world's first deaf K-pop group, marking a groundbreaking step toward inclusivity in the music industry.
🎬 Cha Eun-woo: From Idol to Global Model
Cha Eun-woo was spotlighted as one of the most in-demand advertising models in Korea, with a presence that continues to expand worldwide.
🎥 Go Min-si & Ha Yerin: Rising Global Talents
Actress Go Min-si was praised for her multi-hyphenate debut, having written, directed, and starred in the film Parallel Novel.
Ha Yerin gained attention for her upcoming appearance in Netflix's Bridgerton Season 4.
🏹 Korean Athletes Also Make the Cut
In the sports realm, professional golfer Kim Joo-hyung and national archer Lim Si-hyun were recognized—though Forbes mistakenly used the wrong photo for Lim.
👨🍳 Kwon Sung-joon: Netflix-Winning Chef Goes Global
Celebrity chef Kwon Sung-joon, winner of Netflix's Chef in Black & White and known for Napoli Mafia, was included under the Art, Style & Food category.
📈 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia: An Annual Celebration of Young Powerhouses
The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list honors rising talents under the age of 30 who are changing their industries across the continent.
