BTS V Instagram Followers 2025: Ranks #3 Globally Behind Messi and Ronaldo After Military Discharge
BTS member V has just achieved something incredible - he's now the third most influential person in the world on Instagram, according to HypeAuditor's latest global rankings. That puts him ahead of superstars like Selena Gomez and Kendall Jenner, with only football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ranking higher.
As of July 4, 2025, V boasts 68.07 million Instagram followers, making him the most-followed K-pop solo artist on the platform. But it's not just about follower count - his engagement numbers are absolutely staggering.
His posts average 14 million likes, with recent content hitting around 12.5 million likes each. Even more impressive? He maintains a 20.6% engagement rate despite having comment restrictions on most posts. For context, most mega-influencers struggle to hit even 3-5% engagement rates.
V's influence skyrocketed after completing his mandatory military service alongside RM on June 10, 2025. Within just 25 days of his discharge, he gained 1.22 million new followers - the fastest growth among K-pop artists.
Of his total followers, approximately 12.4 million come from the United States alone, making him the most-followed K-pop star in America. This U.S. dominance is particularly significant given the competitive entertainment landscape there.
V's influence isn't limited to Asia. His regional performance demonstrates true global star power:
- United Kingdom: #1 influencer overall
- United States: #3 (behind only Ronaldo and Messi)
- Brazil: #3 (again, trailing only the football superstars)
- Music Category: #1 worldwide
Despite not having resumed active music promotions after his military discharge, he continues to dominate social media, proving his brand transcends just music.
Unlike many celebrities who rely on constant content creation, V's influence stems from authentic fan connection. Since opening his personal Instagram account in December 2021, his engagement rate has consistently outperformed celebrities with 8-10 times more followers.
This organic growth sets him apart in an industry often plagued by purchased followers and artificial engagement. HypeAuditor's ranking specifically measures authentic influence, not just raw numbers.
V's achievement represents a watershed moment for Korean entertainment's international influence. As the highest-ranking entertainer in the global top 3, he's positioned alongside sports icons rather than competing with other musicians or actors.
This places him at the center of the "Korean Wave" that's reshaping global pop culture, from music and fashion to beauty and lifestyle trends.
With BTS expected to reunite as a complete group in 2025 following all members' military discharges, V's current influence positioning suggests massive commercial potential ahead. His sustained popularity during the hiatus period indicates strong market demand for both solo projects and future group activities.
The combination of his individual achievements and anticipated BTS reunion could make 2025 a transformative year for both V personally and K-pop globally.
Rankings based on HypeAuditor's July 2025 analysis of the Top 1000 Most Influential Global Influencers, measuring authentic engagement, audience quality, and overall social media impact.