The 2025 Celebrity YouTuber Rankings revealed the digital power of K-pop idols, with BLACKPINK’s Rosé securing the number one position. The annual list measures subscriber counts, video views, upload activity, and estimated income.
More recently, Forbes Korea released the 2025 Korea Power YouTube Celebrity Ranking along with the annual income. While it may not be a surprise, the list is largely dominated by K-pop acts.
At the very top, Rosé achieved remarkable results with 18.1 million subscribers, 3.6 billion total views, and 86 uploads. Forbes Korea estimated her yearly income at 110.6 billion won (~$79m), the highest among all celebrities.
Rosé’s achievements come on the heels of her record-breaking duet “APT.” with Bruno Mars and the release of her first solo album “rosie”, which entered the Billboard 200 at number three. The MV has nearly 2 billion views in less than a year since its release.
Other BLACKPINK members and the group itself also ranked prominently. BLACKPINK’s official channel placed #4, with an extraordinary 96.8 million subscribers and 38.8 billion views, generating an estimated 81.2 billion won (~$58.5m). Jisoo appeared individually at #19, earning 15.5 billion won (~$11m) with her 7.62 million subscribers.
Rookie girl group BabyMonster made an impressive entry at third place. They have 9.37 million subscribers and 4.7 billion views with 579 uploads. A year into their official debut, the channel has already reached the same estimated income level as BLACKPINK’s, at 81.2 billion won (~$58.5m).
aespa ranked at sixth place with 7.3 million subscribers and 4 billion views. Their estimated annual income was calculated at 50.2 billion won (~$36m) from 1359 uploads. The SM Entertainment group has grown steadily thanks to consistent digital content and the popularity of their futuristic concept.
i-dle secured the seventh spot with 9.29 million subscribers and 6.6 billion views. Their channel’s estimated income reached 49.5 billion won (~$35.6m) from 1898 uploads.
SEVENTEEN landed at eighth place, supported by 14.8 million subscribers and 7.1 billion views. With more than 3,000 uploads, the group earned an estimated 43.6 billion won (~$31.4m) from their YouTube activity.
LE SSERAFIM entered the top ten at tenth place, building a strong presence with 6.04 million subscribers and 4.2 billion views. The group has uploaded more than 2,300 videos to date, and generated an estimated 36.9 billion won (~$26.6m) in income.
IVE appeared at eleventh place, with 4.35 million subscribers, 3.2 billion views, and income of 31.8 billion won (~$22.9m). Their channel reflects the group’s rapid growth as one of the leading fourth-generation girl groups.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) ranked at twelfth place with 12.7 million subscribers and 3 billion views. Their estimated income reached 26.6 billion won (~$19m) from 2881 uploads. The income was bolstered by consistent music content and behind-the-scenes uploads.
ENHYPEN followed in thirteenth place, earning 25.8 billion won (~$18.6m) with 12 million subscribers and 2.9 billion views. Their growing international fanbase is evident in their strong digital performance.
Longtime band DAY6 was ranked fourteenth, with 2.23 million subscribers and 1.7 billion views. Their estimated income stood at 25.1 billion won (~$18m), which shows their lasting popularity despite fewer uploads (833) compared to newer idol groups.
Soloist IU placed at fifteenth place, supported by 10.2 million subscribers and 3.6 billion views. Her channel’s estimated income was 23.6 billion won (~$17m)from 458 uploads.
Rookie group ILLIT debuted on the list at sixteenth place. Their channel recorded 2.37 million subscribers, 1.1 billion views, and income of 19.9 billion won (~$14.3m).
Last but not least, ITZY ranked at seventeenth place, with 9.56 million subscribers, 3.4 billion views, and an estimated annual income of 16.3 billion won ($11.7m).