K-pop’s 2025 popularity ranking: TWICE and BTS reign supreme in Japan

TWICE and BTS just proved once again that they’re in a league of their own. In the 2025 edition of Japan’s Nikkei Entertainment Talent Power Ranking, both groups held the crowns as the top girl and boy groups, respectively. These K-pop legends didn’t just appear—they dominated, backed by years of loyal fandoms and consistent public interest. If you’re wondering who else made the cut, here’s the breakdown of the top K-pop acts shaking up the charts in Japan this year.

Let’s start with the queens. Here are the top 10 female groups and idols based on overall general interest (a combo of recognition and engagement):

10. IVE – 13.4%.
9. ILLIT – 13.4%.
8. aespa – 14.4%.
7. MISAMO (TWICE) – 18.6%.
6. Sana (TWICE) – 19.1%.
5. LE SSERAFIM – 19.7%.
4. Mina (TWICE) – 20.8%.
3. NewJeans – 22.8%.
2. Momo (TWICE) – 23.8%.
1. TWICE – 30.8%.

TWICE is absolutely everywhere on this list, with five entries across solo and sub-unit rankings. Their dominance is no joke—they pulled a 39.5% public recognition rate and a massive 77.9% interest rate. Basically, Japan can’t get enough of them!

Now, for the boys. Here’s how the top male K-pop groups ranked:

9. NCTWISH – 7.0%.
8. BOYNEXTDOOR – 9.3%.
7. NCT127 – 9.3%.
6. RIIIZE – 11.2%.
5. ENHYPEN – 12.7%.
4. STRAY KIDS – 12.9%.
3. SEVENTEEN – 13.0%.
2. TXT – 13.6%.
1. BTS – 23.5%.

BTS remains untouchable, with the highest general interest and public recognition. The “Dynamite” singers have been inactive as a group for the past two years due to their military service, but that hasn’t stopped their star power! Even with newer groups popping up, no one’s knocking them off the top anytime soon.

From queens like TWICE to global titans like BTS, K-pop’s grip on Japan remains unshakable!