By Kim Young Shin

The Korean boy band BTS on June 26 was selected one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential people on the internet.

Time since 2015 has compiled an annual list of 25 figures with the most influence on social media and the ability to drive news. BTS is the first from Korea to make the list.

U.S. President Donald Trump, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, American singers Katy Perry and Rihanna, and the Anne Frank of Aleppo Bana Alabed, a 7-year-old girl who raised awareness of the horrors of Syria’s civil war through Twitter, were also included.

Time said BTS “[overtook] Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez to spend 27 consecutive weeks atop Billboard’s ‘Social 50’ chart,” calling it “an impressive feat for any artist.”

The group has “a virtual fanbase that could give the Beyhive (Beyonce’s fanbase) a run for its money,” it added, and mentioned that the group's fans called “BTS Army” pushed its album “Wings” up to 26th on the Billboard 200 chart, the highest debut for a K-pop album, and helped BTS win the honor of Top Social Artist at the Billboard Music Awards.

ysk1111@korea.kr