Influencers from Korea, Republic of starting with J
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J-Hope
Occupation: RapperInstagram: 53.1M Followers / SubscribersJung Ho-seok, known professionally as J-Hope (제이홉; stylized in lower case), is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. He made his debut as a member of South Korean boy band BTS in 2013, under Big Hit Entertainment. J-Hope released his first solo mixtape, Hope World, in 2018. It was received positively by critics and peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard 200, the highest-charting album by a Korean solo artist at the time. He became the first member of BTS to enter the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist in 2019, when his single "Chicken Noodle Soup", featuring singer Becky G, debuted at number 81. In 2022, J-Hope released his debut studio album Jack in the Box. In 2023, he released his single "On the Street" with J. Cole.
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J.Y. Park
Occupation: SingerInstagram: 2.3M Followers / Subscribers Facebook: 956K Followers / Subscribers X: 871.5K Followers / SubscribersJ.Y. Park (also known as Park Jin-young or JYP) is a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer, record executive, and reality television show judge.
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## 🎵 Key Highlights
He is the *founder** of JYP Entertainment, one of the most profitable entertainment agencies in South Korea, which he established in 1997.
He has developed and managed highly successful K-pop artists, including *Rain, Wonder Girls, 2PM, Miss A, Got7, Day6, Twice, Stray Kids,** and Itzy.
Park began his career as a singer, rising to stardom after the release of his 1994 debut album, Blue City*.
He is also known for his signature sound *"JYP~"** which is often heard in the songs he has composed.
He graduated from *Yonsei University** with a bachelor's degree in geology in 1996.
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Jang Won-young
Occupation: SingerInstagram: 15.6M Followers / SubscribersJang Won-young (often known mononymously as Wonyoung) is a prominent South Korean singer, songwriter, and fashion icon. Born on August 31, 2004, she is widely considered one of the most influential figures in "Fourth Generation" K-pop.
Career Highlights
Rise to Fame: She first gained national attention in 2018 as a contestant on the survival show Produce 48, where she finished in first place. This led to her debut as the "center" of the project girl group IZ*ONE.
Current Group: Following IZ*ONE’s disbandment in 2021, she re-debuted as a member of IVE under Starship Entertainment. The group has seen massive success with hits like "LOVE DIVE," "I AM," and "HEYA."
Hosting & Solo Work: She served as a long-time host (MC) for the music program Music Bank and has frequently hosted major awards shows like the Asia Artist Awards. In early 2026, she released solo work, including the track "8."
Impact and Image
"Wonyoung-ism": She is known for her "Lucky Vicky" mindset—a philosophy of radical optimism and reframing setbacks as strokes of luck. This has turned her into a lifestyle role model for many fans.
Fashion Icon: Often called a "Human Miu Miu," she is a global ambassador for the luxury brand. Her tall stature (173 cm) and "born-to-be-idol" visuals make her a constant fixture at Paris Fashion Week and in major advertising campaigns for brands like Tommy Jeans and Hapa Kristin.
Commercial Power: As of 2026, she consistently ranks at the top of brand reputation indexes, frequently surpassing other major global stars in terms of market influence in South Korea.
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Jay B
Occupation: SingerInstagram: 6.5M Followers / Subscribers X: 1.2M Followers / SubscribersJay B (also known by his full name Lim Jaebeom) is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and dancer.
He is best known as the leader of the K-pop boy group GOT7 and is also part of the R&B/hip-hop duo Jus2.
Beyond his group activities, he has an active solo career, frequently releasing music under the stage name JAY B. His musical style often blends R&B, soul, and hip-hop. He is also known for his songwriting and producing contributions to both his group and solo work.
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Jennie Kim
Occupation: SingerInstagram: 88.4M Followers / Subscribers TikTok: 20M Followers / SubscribersJennie Kim is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and actress. She was born on January 16, 1996, in South Korea. Known mononymously as Jennie or by the stage name Jennie Ruby Jane, she is best known as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, which debuted in August 2016 under YG Entertainment.
Jennie lived in New Zealand for five years before returning to South Korea to become a trainee at YG Entertainment in 2010. She debuted as a solo artist in November 2018 with the single "Solo," which topped South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and the US Billboard World Digital Songs chart. Her other solo singles include "You & Me" and "Mantra." She also made her acting debut in the 2023 HBO television series The Idol.
She is known for her musical versatility and fashion image, and has been dubbed the "Human Chanel" for her work as a global ambassador for the brand. In 2023, she established her own label, ODD ATELIER, for her solo activities and also signed with Columbia Records for her solo promotions.
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Jimin
Occupation: SingerInstagram: 55.5M Followers / SubscribersJimin, whose full name is Park Ji-min, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and dancer. He is a member of the boy band BTS, where he serves as a lead vocalist and main dancer.
He was born on October 13, 1995, in Busan, South Korea. He is known for his unique voice and excellent dancing skills. Jimin studied contemporary dance at Busan High School of Arts before joining Big Hit Entertainment as a trainee, and was the last member to be added to the BTS lineup before their debut in 2013.
Under BTS, he has released solo tracks like "Lie," "Serendipity," and "Filter." He released his debut solo album, Face, in 2023. Jimin has also been appointed as a Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, along with his bandmates.
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Jin
Occupation: SingerInstagram: 52.8M Followers / SubscribersKim Seok-jin, known professionally as Jin, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and the eldest member of the global K-pop group BTS.
Known for his versatile "silver voice" and wide vocal range, he often anchors the group’s emotional ballads and rock-leaning tracks. Beyond his musical talent, he is widely recognized for his striking visuals—famously self-dubbed "Worldwide Handsome"—and his quick-witted, humorous personality.
Key Highlights
Solo Career: After making his official solo debut in 2022 with the Coldplay-collaborated single "The Astronaut," he released his first solo albums, Happy (2024) and Echo (2025), exploring genres like alternative rock and pop.
Military Service: He was the first member of BTS to enlist for mandatory military service in December 2022 and was honorably discharged in June 2024.
Vocal Style: A tenor praised by critics for his stable breath control and powerful falsetto, notably heard in solo tracks like "Epiphany," "Moon," and "Awake."
Background: Originally trained as an actor with a degree in Film Studies from Konkuk University, he was scouted off the street for his looks before becoming a pillar of BTS’s vocal line.
Public Image: Outside of music, he is a successful businessman (co-owning a restaurant and a liquor brand) and a frequent variety show guest, known for his "dad jokes" and the web series Run Jin.
As of early 2026, Jin has recently reunited with his bandmates for BTS's highly anticipated comeback album, Arirang, and is preparing for a massive 2026-2027 world tour.
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Jiny Maeng
Occupation: TiktokerYouTube: 2.5M Followers / Subscribers TikTok: 2.3M Followers / Subscribers Instagram: 1.3M Followers / SubscribersJiny Maeng is a popular South Korean-Australian digital creator and YouTuber known for her vibrant personality and creative storytelling. She rose to fame primarily through her relatable storytime animations and lifestyle vlogs, where she often shares funny or awkward experiences from her daily life, upbringing, and travels.
Here are a few key things to know about her:
Content Style: Her videos often feature a signature hand-drawn art style used to illustrate her narrations. This "storytime animator" approach allowed her to build a massive global audience.
Dual Background: Having lived in both South Korea and Australia, her content frequently explores the cultural nuances, language barriers, and unique experiences of navigating life between two worlds.
Expansion: While she started heavily in animation, she has successfully branched out into live-action content, including fashion, beauty, and travel vlogs.
Presence: She maintains a large following across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, where her "chaotic but wholesome" energy resonates with fans.
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Jisoo
Occupation: SingerInstagram: 80.2M Followers / Subscribers YouTube: 8.4M Followers / SubscribersKim Ji-soo, known mononymously as Jisoo, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born on January 3, 1995, in Gunpo, South Korea. She is primarily known as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, which debuted in August 2016 under YG Entertainment.
In Blackpink, she holds the position of a vocalist and visual. Outside of her group activities, Jisoo has pursued an acting career, making her debut in 2015 with a cameo and later taking her first leading role in the 2021-2022 series Snowdrop. She also made her solo music debut in 2023 with the single album Me.
She is recognized as a major figure in the fashion world, notably as a global ambassador for Dior and Cartier, and has launched her own independent label called BLISSOO. In addition to her native Korean, she speaks Japanese and Chinese.
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Jo Yu-ri
Occupation: SingerInstagram: 7.6M Followers / Subscribers YouTube: 905K Followers / Subscribers Facebook: 66K Followers / SubscribersJo Yu-ri is a South Korean singer and actress. She gained prominence as a former member of the South Korean-Japanese girl group Iz\*One.
She first participated in the Mnet reality competition series Produce 48 in 2018, where she finished in third place and debuted with Iz\*One on October 29, 2018.
Following Iz\*One's disbandment in April 2021, Jo Yu-ri began a solo career, releasing her debut single album Glassy in October 2021.
In addition to music, she has ventured into acting, making her debut in the web series Mimicus (2022) and later gaining widespread recognition for her role as Kim Jun-hee (Player 222) in the second season of the Netflix series Squid Game.
She was born on October 22, 2001, in Busan, South Korea.
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Jo Yuri
Occupation: SingerInstagram: 7M Followers / Subscribers YouTube: 903K Followers / Subscribers X: 252K Followers / Subscribers Facebook: 65K Followers / SubscribersJo Yuri (born October 22, 2001) is a South Korean singer and actress known for her powerful, husky vocals and her successful transition from a K-pop idol to a versatile screen actress.
Music Career
IZ*ONE: She first gained massive fame in 2018 as the main vocalist of the temporary girl group IZ*ONE, after finishing 3rd on the survival show Produce 48.
Soloist: Following the group's disbandment in 2021, she debuted as a solo artist with the single "Glassy." She is known for her soulful voice and has released several successful EPs, including Op.22 Y-Waltz: in Major and Love All.
Acting Career
Jo Yuri has rapidly built a reputation as a "multi-tainer" (multi-talented entertainer):
Web Series: She made her acting debut in the 2022 youth drama "Mimicus."
Global Recognition: She achieved widespread international fame after being cast in Squid Game (Season 2 and Season 3) as Kim Jun-hee (Player 222), a role that solidified her status as a rising actress.
Quick Facts
Hometown: Busan, South Korea.
Skills: In addition to singing, she plays the piano, guitar, and drums.
Signature Style: She is often praised for her "emotional" vocal delivery and her ability to handle both bright pop tracks and moody ballads.
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Jung Ho-yeon
Occupation: ModelInstagram: 17.9M Followers / SubscribersJung Ho-yeon is a South Korean fashion model and actress. She was born on June 23, 1994, in Seoul, South Korea.
She began her career as a freelance model in 2010 and competed on the fourth season of Korea's Next Top Model in 2013, where she placed as a runner-up. She became known for her "fiery" red hair after her international runway debut during New York Fashion Week. She has worked with many top fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, for whom she became a global ambassador in 2021.
Jung Ho-yeon made her acting debut in the 2021 Netflix series Squid Game, where she starred as Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067). Her performance in the show earned her the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series.
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Jung Jiwoo
Occupation: Social Media PersonalityYouTube: 2.4M Followers / SubscribersJung Jiwoo is a South Korean influencer, entrepreneur, fashion designer, model, and YouTuber, who is also widely known as the older sister of BTS member J-Hope.
She was born on January 3, 1990, and was originally known by the birth name Jung Dawon before legally changing it to Jung Jiwoo. She runs several businesses, including the fashion company AJ Look, the eyewear brand Fun The Mental, and the online shopping brand MEJIWOO (which is currently rebranding to JEONGJIWOO). She also runs a YouTube channel under the name MEJIWOO.
She is represented by Cube Entertainment as an influencer and entertainer. She got married on May 5, 2021.
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Jung Kook
Occupation: SingerTikTok: 23.6M Followers / Subscribers Instagram: 9M Followers / SubscribersJung Kook, full name Jeon Jung-kook, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and dancer. He was born on September 1, 1997, and is best known globally as a member and the youngest of the South Korean boy band BTS.
In BTS, he holds the positions of main vocalist, lead dancer, and sub-rapper, and is often referred to by the nickname "Golden Maknae" (Golden Youngest) due to his exceptional talent across various fields.
Jung Kook has also established a highly successful solo career. His solo songs within the BTS discography include "Begin," "Euphoria," and "My Time." In his solo work, he has achieved major global success with singles like "Seven" (featuring Latto), which debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, and "Dreamers", which he performed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony. His debut solo album is titled GOLDEN.
He is widely recognized as one of the most prominent and influential artists in contemporary pop music.