G-Dragon Crowned No 1 on Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 Fandom Vote

BIGBANG leader and solo icon G-Dragon has officially demonstrated his unmatched influence in the entertainment industry by topping the rankings for the most influential figures in South Korea. According to a report by Forbes Korea on May 27, 2026, the legendary artist won first place in the highly competitive global fandom voting category for the prestigious “Power Celebrity 40” list.

A Massive Voting Battle Across 192 Countries

The special voting event was hosted by Forbes Korea in partnership with the global K-pop content platform Mnet Plus, running from April 20 to May 10. The poll brought in a staggering 26.94 million votes from users spanning 192 different countries. Amidst an incredibly fierce competition between the world’s biggest fandoms, G-Dragon’s global supporters showcased incredible organization to secure him the absolute top spot.

The Forbes Korea “Power Celebrity 40” is widely considered the most authoritative index for measuring a star’s real-world market value and brand power in South Korea. The final ranking evaluates the top 70 most-searched celebrities using a strict, multi-layered formula:

• Annual Income: 50%
• Fandom Voting: 20%
• Media Coverage: 15%
• Social Media Influence: 15%

G-Dragon already ranked at the absolute top of the list for his high earnings and massive media presence. By winning the fandom vote as well, he completely dominated every single metric analyzed by the business magazine.

An Unrivaled Cultural Icon

G-Dragon’s massive win perfectly highlights his ongoing transition from a pop musician to a highly valuable personal brand. Forbes Korea praised his unique status, noting that his public appearances naturally turn into major cultural events.

The artist’s cultural and economic achievements over the past year have been heavily documented across multiple industries:

• Global Fashion and Academia: He was named to the prestigious Hypebeast “HB100” list for the ninth time. Additionally, the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles made headlines by launching an official academic course centered entirely around G-Dragon’s cultural impact.
• Diplomatic and Cultural Influence: He showcased his deep social reach by speaking at the APEC Summit and drawing international media attention during a high-profile meeting with French First Lady Brigitte Macron.

With BIGBANG currently preparing for a massive 20th-anniversary studio album and a stadium world tour this coming August, G-Dragon’s spectacular victory on the Forbes Korea charts officially proves that his personal brand value remains completely untouchable.