K-pop group i-dle has solidified a career that’s drawing attention well beyond Asia.
Members Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua were named to Forbes’ 2026 “30 Under 30 Asia” list in the Entertainment & Sports category on May 27 (local time).
The annual list highlights rising leaders across the Asia-Pacific region. This year Forbes singled out i-dle as an emblematic K-pop girl-group act, recognizing both their achievements so far and their future potential.
In January, they released the digital single Mono (Feat. skaiwater), a move toward minimalist pop that won critical praise. The group then performed live on NBC’s Today, The Kelly Clarkson Show and iHeart K-Pop with JoJo—appearances many observers cite as a successful step into the North American mainstream.
i-dle is currently on its fourth world tour, 2026 i-dle WORLD TOUR [Syncopation]. The run made them the first K-pop girl group to play the Taipei Dome and added a confirmed date at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium, a roughly 50,000-seat venue, elevating their status across Asia to stadium-level headliners. True to the tour’s title—Syncopation—they’ve captivated global audiences with music that leans toward the unconventional and unpredictable.
The group is also gearing up for major festival appearances. After gracing PAPER’s digital cover and drawing strong media attention, i-dle will release a new album and perform at Lollapalooza in the U.S. this July. Those moves underline the group’s standing as a top-tier global girl group and raise expectations for what comes next.
Reporter Hwa-sook Shin hsshin087@viva100.com
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