Now is the golden age of K-content. Led by K-pop with its global fandom, Korean content including dramas and films, has become mainstream entertainment worldwide. Content creators now wield enough influence to shake up the industry, and new stars are constantly emerging across diverse content.
In the '2024 Power People of the Year' survey, stars from a wide array of fields were mentioned more than ever.
Min Hee Jin, the former CEO of ADOR who nurtured NewJeans, ranked first overall, while Byun Woo Seok, at the center of the 'Lovely Runner' syndrome, marked the rise of a new star. Multi-genre stars like Lim Young Woong, and leading girl groups NewJeans and aespa also made the list, reflecting the broad appeal of K-pop talent.
So here is the full list of figures chosen for the '2024 Power People of the Year' selected by 200 industry experts during the magazine 'JoyNews24' annual poll.
Min Hee Jin, currently embroiled in a dispute with HYBE, received an impressive 82 votes out of the 200 people surveyed, making her the top figure in this year’s "Power People" survey.
As a creative director who brought fresh air into K-pop, Min successfully launched NewJeans. Known as one of Korea's leading creative directors, she worked at SM, overseeing visual concepts for groups like Girls' Generation, Red Velvet, and SHINee, before starting a new venture under HYBE’s ADOR in 2019. Through NewJeans, she showcased her refined aesthetic and innovative approach, propelling the group to instant success and positioning them as a leading K-pop girl group.
Min Hee Jin's name gained increased prominence beyond K-pop fans, largely due to her dispute with HYBE. The conflict surfaced publicly in April, with Min stepping forward and speaking directly to the public, making her as much of a public figure as NewJeans itself.
Above all, Min Hee Jin shook up the entertainment industry through her dispute with HYBE, one of the most powerful agencies in K-pop. She continued to fight, criticizing HYBE’s personnel management and organizational culture, and mentioned “discrimination against NewJeans,” which impacted rookie groups such as LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT on the opposite side. HYBE’s stock price faltered, and its corporate image took a huge hit, leading some NewJeans and K-pop fans to turn away from HYBE. Though she's no longer ADOR’s CEO, Min Hee Jin continues to wield significant influence through ongoing legal battles.
HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk, by contrast, received only 8 votes in the “Power People” survey, a somewhat disappointing result considering HYBE’s stature and its impressive roster of labels and artists.
In an industry often lacking fresh male leads, a major new star has finally emerged. Byun Woo Seok has risen to the ranks of top stars through 'Lovely Runner,' receiving 45 votes in the survey, proving the strength of his popularity.
'Lovely Runner,' which concluded in May, captivated audiences with the tender 15-year romance of the "Sol-Seon Couple," Byun Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, their mutual healing story, and unforgettable scenes and lines. The actors’ complete synchronicity with their characters earned the show the nickname "Monday Blues Cure," creating a remarkable buzz. At the center of it all was Byun Woo Seok in the role of Ryu Seon Jae.
Byun Woo Seok’s every move became a hot topic, with fans nationwide experiencing “Seon Jae fever.” Tickets for a group viewing event for the finale sold out so quickly that the server crashed 30 minutes before opening, and a Seoul fan meeting drew an incredible 700,000 people on the waitlist. His first Asian fan meeting tour sold out every seat, with large crowds gathering wherever he went.
Byun Woo Seok has also become a highly sought-after name in advertising, a key measure of public popularity. Thanks to the “Seon Jae Effect,” his market value has skyrocketed, landing him as a model for brands in finance, food and beverages, cosmetics, appliances, and coffee. Products he endorsed, such as snacks and ice cream, saw immediate sales boosts, demonstrating the blue chip power of Byun Woo Seok.
K-pop Stars, including Lim Young Woong, NewJeans, aespa, BTS, and more, Dominate the "Power People" list
Many K-pop stars made it onto the "Power People" list, reflecting the global popularity of K-pop and the tremendous influence of its stars. Lim Young Woong (11 votes), NewJeans (10 votes), aespa (6 votes), BTS, and Jennie (each with 5 votes) were among the top mentions.
While many aspire to be the "next Lim Young Woong," it seems he has no intention of relinquishing his spot. Obtaining concert tickets for Lim Young Woong is still as hard as winning the lottery, and his TV appearances consistently boost viewership ratings. In May, he performed for 100,000 fans over two days at Seoul's Sangam World Cup Stadium, and his concert film, 'I’m Hero the Stadium,' surpassed BTS to become the top-grossing of its kind. His appearance on 'Three Meals a Day Light' also drew significant attention, achieving a viewership rate of over 10%.
Despite the dispute between Min Hee Jin and HYBE, NewJeans has maintained its strong presence. Amid internal conflicts, the group made a successful comeback, with "How Sweet" remaining in the top ranks on charts for months. NewJeans has also targeted the international market with a debut in the Japanese market, a Tokyo Dome fan meeting, and created a huge buzz in Japan with Hanni’s cover of Seiko Matsuda's "Blue Coral Reef." The group has attracted attention for standing by former CEO Min and exposing workplace harassment issues within HYBE, with Hanni even appearing before the National Assembly.
aespa dominated the music charts in 2024, standing out as a "Power People" force. Their first full-length album, "Supernova," released in May, achieved record-breaking success, staying at No. 1 for three consecutive months from June to August, earning the title of the longest-reigning No. 1 in 20 years. With their distinctive “metallic” concept, aespa has cemented a unique position in the industry, continuing their momentum with "Whiplash."
After leaving YG Entertainment to start her own company, Jennie proved her influence by releasing a solo single, "Mantra," within a year. Meanwhile, BTS demonstrated their resilience during their military hiatus with Jin’s solo activities. However, Jennie faced criticism over an indoor smoking controversy, and BTS experienced backlash due to SUGA’s DUI incident involving a scooter.
Other influential figures included:
Yoo Jae Suk
Jun Hyun Moo
Choi Min Sik
Kim Soo Hyun
Celebrity chef Baek Jong Won
Chef Ahn Sung Jae
2NE1
Na Young Seok
BJ Juicy Seyeon
ZEROBASEONE
Choi Hwa Jung
Ma Dong Seok
Kim Ji Won
Han So Hee
DAY6
Hwang Jung Min
Lee Jung Jae
Jang Won Young
SEE ALSO: aespa's 'Whiplash' reaches 100 million Spotify streams
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