The Hong Kong daily news site South China Morning Post (SCMP) recently released their list for “11 Asian icons who shaped 2022”.
On December 28th (local time), SCMP selected and announced 11 icons that symbolize Asia this year, and about half were Koreans. Among Korean stars, the highest-ranking person was BTS Jin in 4th place.
Regarding the male idol’s enlistment, SCMP wrote that they “can’t help but admire 30-year-old Jin’s courage and sense of duty, especially considering the group’s atmospheric level of international fame”.
Meanwhile, BLACKPINK, who released their 2nd regular album “BORN PINK” in 2022, was ranked 5th after BTS Jin. In addition, “Born Pink” was selected as the 42nd best album of 2022 by the US Billboard, while the girl group was named as 2022’s Entertainer of the Year by American current affairs magazine Time.
Following BLACKPINK is “Squid Game” star Jung Ho Yeon in 6th place. Previously, she became the first Korean to win the Best Actress Award at the SAG Awards. She also “displayed national pride at the awards ceremony by wearing a custom-made daenggi”, a traditional Korean hair accessory, said SCMP.
In 8th place was actor Park Seo Joon, who is scheduled to appear in Marvel Studios’ new film “The Marvels”, which will be released in July 2023.
Finally, the Korean national soccer team, which reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was also selected as an “Asian icon”. Regarding their reason for the selection, SCMP said that like the Japan team, they showed “a top-notch performance that proves Asia’s footballers aren’t to be underestimated”.
On the other hand, other names on the list include Chinese-born Hollywood star Michelle Yeoh, Vietnamese-born American actor Ke Huy Quan, Chinese national skier Eileen Gu, film director Will Sharpe, Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu, and the Japanese national soccer team.
Source: SCMP, Biz Chosun
