A poll was created for netizens to vote for the most popular people in South Korea. It's not easy to choose, though, since the Korean entertainment industry is a competitive field for celebrities, not to mention that there are a lot of new K-pop groups debuting every year, more variety shows air, and amazing music videos get released. Plus, the battle between dramas and films is fierce.
But of course, a poll is a poll, and voters will decide who the last one standing is. Several celebrities managed to reach the top, and some even have been consistent favorites by the general public.
According to the surveys supervised by Daily Spots Korea, here are the most-liked and popular stars in 2018 and 2019.
2018
Yoo Jae Suk
He appears and hosts plenty of the top-rated variety shows, such as "Infinite Challenge" and "Running Man." Yoo Jae Suk became a popular celebrity in Korea for the year 2018, garnering 5.9% of votes.
IU
Singer-actress IU gained 4.2% of votes. Her popularity in 2017-2018 is due to her hard work, holding five concerts (2018) around South Korea and five concerts overseas (2018). In late 2017, her critically-acclaimed album "Palette" made her gain more attention and become sought-after by 2018.
BTS
BTS proved to be the most popular idol group in South Korea in 2018. They reached 2.6% of votes for the survey. The all-boy group released their 3rd album "Love Yourself: Tear" with the title track "Fake Love" in May 2018.
Park Bo Gum
Actor Park Bo Gum gained the highest survey and a popular actor for the year 2018. He gained 2.0% of votes. He made a drama with Song Hye Kyo the "Encounter" after a two-year hiatus. He also became the torchbearer of the 2018 Winter Olympics as Korea's representative actor.
So Ji Sub
So Ji Sub gained 1.3% of votes and released his film "Be With You" and drama series "My Secret Terrius" released in 2018. The actor won the "Daesang (Grand Prize)" at the MBC Drama Awards for his performance.
Jung Woo Sung
The actor garnered 1.3% of votes. He released one documentary film "Intention" and movie "Lilang: The Wolf Brigade" in the same year.
Suzy
Singer-actress Bae Suzy is one of the most popular female celebrities in Korea for 2018. She garnered 1.2% of votes. Suzy released her solo song "In Love with Someone Else" in early 2018, which topped most music charts.
AOA Seolhyun, Song Joong Ki, Ahn Sung Ki, Choi Bool Am, Han Ji Min, and TWICE
AOA's Seolhyun, girl group TWICE, actors Song Joong Ki, Ahn Sung Ki, Choi Bool Am, and Han Ji Min each reached 1.1% of votes from the survey. They made several activities that became a public interest in 2018.
Lee Seung Gi, Kang Ho Dong, Kim Hye Soo, and Lee Byung Hun
With their multiple projects and variety shows, each garnered 1.0% of votes in 2018.
2019
Yoo Jae Suk
He reached 7.6% of votes in 2019. Yoo Jae Suk hosted the third season of Two Yoo Project - Sugar Man and Netflix's Busted in 2019.
IU
She garnered 4.3%, made her film debut "Persona" and starred in the drama "Hotel Del Luna" and released "Love Poem" in 2019.
Gong Yoo
Actor Gong Yoo garnered 2.7% of votes. He appeared in the film "Kim Ji-young: Born 1982".
Park Bo Gum
The actor hosted two award shows in 2019, the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards and the 2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards. He garnered 1.9% of votes.
Suzy
She reached 1.7% of votes and appeared in the drama "Vagabond" and the film "Ashfall".
BTS
They became most popular idol group in Korea with 1.5% of votes in the survey. BTS released "Map of the Soul: Persona with its title track "Boy With Luv".
Jung Woo Sung
The actor attained 1.1% of the votes. Jung Woo-Sung received an award the "Daesang (Grand prize) in the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards for Innocent Witness.
Son Ye Jin, Lee Seung Gi, Jang Dong Gun, Han Ji Min
They all received 1.1% of votes with their various activities and drama series that gave them higher public recognition.