Rosé Just Dominated TC Candler 2025 Face Rankings — Here’s Why Everyone’s Screaming

Rosé Hits Number One, K-pop Takes Over

Stop scrolling—because this is one of those “K-pop really runs the world” moments. TC Candler (the U.S. entertainment site behind “The 100 Most Beautiful Faces,” running since 1990) just dropped their 2025 list on December 28th, and Rosé from Blackpink is sitting at number one on the women’s rankings. Not “top 10.” Not “top 3.” Top of the entire list. This is huge—and the internet reaction is exactly what you’d expect.

The Timing Makes Total Sense, Right?

And no, it’s not random. Rosé has been on a straight-up global main character arc. Remember her collab with Bruno Mars, “APT,” last October? That song didn’t just do well—it went full everywhere. Playlists, timelines, charts, edits, you name it. It introduced Rosé to people who only knew “Blackpink member” and made them go, “Oh—she’s a solo powerhouse too.” Visibility matters in fan-voted culture moments like this, and Rosé’s year basically set the stage.

K-pop Is Literally Everywhere on This List

But here’s the part that really hits: this wasn’t just a Rosé win. This was a whole K-pop sweep. Look at these placements:

• Karina from Aespa landed at number 8 on the women's list
• Jisoo came in at number 11
• Tzuyu hit 20th place
• Lisa secured 22nd
• Jeon Somi claimed 24th
• Wonyoung took 26th

That’s six Korean female artists in the top 30. That’s not a cameo—that’s domination. And it says a lot about where global pop culture is right now: K-pop visuals, branding, and presence aren’t being “noticed” anymore. They’re being centered. The global taste has shifted, and the list is basically a receipt.

What About The Legendary Nana?

Quick reality check for the OGs: Nana, the icon who went number one in 2014 and 2015, is still here—she landed at 18th this year. That’s not a fall-off, it’s proof the list moves with the moment. Pop culture cycles fast, and staying in the mix at all is its own kind of flex.

The Men's Side Is Stacked Too

And yes, the men’s list is just as loaded. V from BTS came in at number 7 on the 2025 “Most Handsome Faces” rankings. What’s wild is the consistency—V has been a top fixture since he hit number one in 2017. That’s not a viral week, that’s long-term cultural impact.

The rest of the male K-pop representation was strong too:

• Niki from Enhypen grabbed 10th
• Jungkook from BTS took 14th
• Hyunjin from Stray Kids landed 18th
• Cha Eun-woo pulled 33rd

Why Does This Even Matter, Though?

I get it—some people hear “face ranking” and go, “Okay and?” But here’s why fans care: TC Candler’s list is driven by global votes and recommendations, which makes it a snapshot of where attention and influence actually are. It’s not one editor deciding. It’s global fandom energy turning into a visible outcome.

And these moments have real-world ripple effects. They boost international perception, help expand endorsement opportunities, and keep artists in the global conversation beyond music drops. The Rosé x Bruno Mars “APT” moment didn’t happen in a vacuum—collabs like that live on a foundation of massive worldwide visibility and demand.

The Real Takeaway

Here’s the bottom line: 2025 is not the year K-pop “breaks through.” That already happened. This is the year the world acts like it’s normal that K-pop is everywhere—because it is. Rosé taking number one, plus the stacked top 100 representation, is basically confirmation that the “rising” era is done. K-pop is not a trend. It’s a permanent part of global mainstream culture.

So yes—this is a win worth celebrating. Rosé earned it, and everyone on that list is proof of how far this wave has gone. And if this is what 2025 looks like? Imagine what 2026 is about to do.