Neverlands, STAYs, and all K-pop fans — today feels like validation. On May 31, 2026, Forbes dropped its prestigious 30 Under 30 Asia list, and several familiar faces from our recent coverage absolutely crushed it in the Entertainment & Sports category. From (G)I-DLE’s unstoppable run to CORTIS’s explosive rookie year we celebrated after their Music Core triple crown and brand reputation No.1 surge, these acts are proving the next generation is here.1

Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026: K-Pop Highlights

Honoree	Key Achievements Highlighted
(G)I-DLE (i-dle)	Formed 2018 (Cube), renamed 2025; ‘We are’ EP sold 1M+ first week; Seoul Music Awards Grand Prize; strong global fandom (even after Shuhua’s Sydney health scare)
CORTIS	HYBE’s first boy group in 6 years (2025 debut); ‘COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES’ EP #15 Billboard 200; rookie sales leader; multiple rookie awards
NMIXX	JYP’s “Mixx Pop” pioneers (2022); ‘Blue Valentine’ nearly topped Circle Chart; 10 music show wins; 6M IG followers
Leejung Lee	Choreographer for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’; worked with BLACKPINK, TWICE; 2.6M Instagram followers

This recognition celebrates leaders under 30 across Asia. It comes hot on the heels of aespa’s record LEMONADE sales and Stray Kids’ “Easy” 100M views, showing how K-pop continues to dominate globally. Check our full K-pop news hub for more.

For more on how these annual lists spotlight young talent, see the Forbes 30 Under 30 page on Wikipedia.

🔥 The Verdict

Making Forbes 30 Under 30 isn’t just an award — it’s proof your hard work, fan connection, and cultural impact are being seen worldwide. Whether it’s CORTIS turning rookie hype into real numbers or (G)I-DLE evolving through challenges, these names represent K-pop’s bright future. Keep streaming, keep supporting — the world is watching. Who are you most proud of this year?

FAQs

Q: Which K-pop groups made the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 list?

A: (G)I-DLE (now i-dle), CORTIS, and NMIXX were honored in the Entertainment & Sports category alongside choreographer Leejung Lee for their massive achievements in sales, awards, and global reach.

Q: What makes the Forbes 30 Under 30 list significant for these artists?

A: It recognizes Asia’s top young leaders under 30; for these idols, it validates their rapid rise, chart success, and influence far beyond music shows and brand rankings.