On the 27th (local time), Forbes кσяєα unveiled its Power Celebrity “Estimated Income” Top 10. The list highlights the diverse business portfolios and strong cash-generating capabilities of globally active K-pop artists. The estimated pre-tax earnings for the 2025–2026 period were calculated based on a structured breakdown of revenue streams, including music sales, live performances, television appearances, film projects, annual salaries, and endorsement activities.
Forbes кσяєα’s perspective on celebrities has been distinct from the very beginning. Rather than focusing on who is more beloved by the public, the magazine prioritizes who holds stronger economic influence. It examines the flow of capital rather than fan fervor, and values the sustainability of influence over temporary popularity. In their view, celebrities are not merely stars, but industrial αѕѕets. Revenue indicates who is driving the market, which Forbes кσяєα considers the most important factor in the Forbes кσяєα Celebrity Index.
As a result, this ranking carries significance equal to the annual “Power Celebrities 40 List” — where BTS reclaimed the No.1 spot this year. Corresponding to that achievement, BTS also topped the “Power Celebrity “Estimated Income” Top 10” ranking with a revenue figure that has left the entertainment industry astonished.
According to Forbes кσяєα, BTS led the list with estimated total earnings of 334.0 billion KRW (approximately 245 million USD). Notably, this figure was recorded only a few months after the group’s first full-member comeback following nearly four years of interrupted group activities due to military service, along with the release of their new album in March 2026.
Forbes кσяєα reported that a significant portion of BTS’s revenue came from mαѕѕive advance payments tied to their 2026 album release, as well as incentive payments generated through renewed contract terms with global distributors. In addition, revenue from the stadium-scale world tour “BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG” played an extremely major role in the group’s overall earnings.
As of May 2026, BTS had completed the first nine shows of the tour, which began on April 9 at Goyang Stadium immediately after their comeback. According to current plans, the tour will continue through March 2027, spanning 79 — or potentially more than 85 — concerts across 34 cities in 23 countries worldwide. Forbes кσяєα noted that the scale of the tour is large enough to position BTS among the world’s highest-grossing touring artists in the coming period.
Beyond music activities, endorsements and brand ambαѕѕadorships continue to generate enormous income for BTS. According to the report, all seven members currently hold a combined total of 31 ambαѕѕadorial and exclusive endorsement contracts with leading global luxury fashion, beauty, and jewelry brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Valentino, Celine, Cartier, Calvin Klein, Bottega Veneta, and Tiffany & Co...
Immediately after completing military service, the BTS members not only renewed existing contracts but also signed numerous new exclusive agreements, with compensation reportedly ranging from several billion to tens of billions of won per contract. Forbes кσяєα described this as one of the key factors allowing BTS to maintain overwhelming commercial dominance in the global market.
Another portion of the group’s revenue came from exclusive global livestream broadcasting rights, original documentary productions, and remastered concert content distributed through Netflix. These projects further demonstrated BTS’s ability to expand and monetize their brand IP beyond traditional music activities.
Meanwhile, in Forbes U.S.’s recent “Highest-Paid Musicians” ranking (based on 2026 reports), The Weeknd ranked as the world’s highest-paid artist with estimated earnings of 298 million USD (approximately 450 billion KRW). However, BTS’s earnings this year, as compiled by Forbes кσяєα, have already surpαѕѕed the 202 million USD (approximately 304.8 billion KRW) earned by Taylor Swift, who ranked second. Forbes кσяєα further predicted that BTS could even surpαѕѕ The Weeknd in next year’s rankings once the group completes its world tour.
Forbes кσяєα additionally stated: "In particular, as the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) made a surprise decision to select BTS as the first-ever headliner for the North αмєяι¢αn World Cup final halftime show, domestic and international media outlets are pouring out predictions, stating: "BTS, standing before 1.4 billion viewers, will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global giants like Taylor Swift and peak as this year's highest-earning artists.""
Notably, BTS did not dominate the rankings solely as a group; the individual members also occupied nearly the entire Top 10. Jin ranked No.4, Jungkook No.5, V No.6, Jimin No.7, j-hope No.8, and RM No.9. Forbes кσяєα explained that, beyond group revenue, individual earnings from luxury brand ambαѕѕadorships, documentaries, variety shows, artistic collaborations, music production, and solo music royalties were all calculated separately for each member.
After nearly a decade at the top, BTS is no longer simply a successful K-pop group, but has evolved into a global cultural brand capable of generating economic influence on an unprecedented scale!
