BTS crowned 'Nation’s Top Singer of the 21st Century', outranking many legendary artists

Despite being out for action, due to mandatory military service, BTS continues to make waves across the globe. A recent Gallup Korea survey, conducted from August 19 to 23 and commissioned by Star News, has named BTS as the ‘Nation’s Top Singer of the 21st Century’. This accolade comes as BTS garnered an impressive 43% approval rating in a poll that allowed respondents to select up to two choices for the title of top singer or group.The survey included 1,052 participants ranging in age from 19 to 69 across South Korea.
BTS, which debuted in 2013, has been a trailblazer in the global K-pop industry. Their influence was solidified in 2017 when they won the ‘Top Social Artist’ award at the Billboard Music Awards, marking a notable achievement for Korean artists in the U.S. music scene. Their record-breaking success continued with the 2020 release of ‘Dynamite’, the first Korean song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The group's accolades further extended to the 2021 American Music Awards, where they won Artist of the Year. The survey results highlight BTS's remarkable reach and popularity, with strong approval from all demographic groups. Notably, BTS received the highest support from younger audiences aged 19-29 (44%), followed by those in their 30s (39%) and 40s (53%).
In second place was the legendary Cho Yong-pil, who achieved a 33% approval rating. Cho Yong-pil, a pioneering figure in the Korean music industry, was instrumental in the ‘oppa craze’ of the 1980s. Despite the passage of time, he has maintained his status as a revered icon, particularly among those in their 50s (46%) and 60s (50%). He also garnered substantial support from individuals in their 30s (24%) and 40s (25%), reflecting his enduring influence.
Singer IU secured the third spot with a 19% approval rating. Since her debut at age 15 in 2008, IU has grown into a leading figure in the music industry, known for her impactful songwriting and vocal skills. Her popularity is particularly strong among younger demographics, with notable support from those aged 19-29 (39%) and in their 30s (22%).
Following IU, Lim Young-woong, a well-known figure in the trot genre, came in fourth with an 18% approval rating. Trot legend Na Hoon-ah ranked fifth with 17%, reflecting his longstanding influence in the Korean music scene. BLACKPINK, the internationally renowned girl group, was sixth with 9% approval, while iconic singer Lee Mi-ja was seventh with 7%.
The eighth position was a three-way tie among Seo Taiji, Girls’ Generation, and g.o.d., each receiving 6% of the vote. BIGBANG followed in eleventh place with 5%, and a tie for twelfth place included Nam Jin, Lee Seung-chul, Kim Gun-mo, Shin Seung-hoon, Lee Hyori, and H.O.T., each with 4%. The Wonder Girls were eighteenth with 2%, and Rain and Roo’Ra tied for nineteenth with 1%. The ‘Others’ category accounted for 2% of the responses.