I’m not saying we always reduce famous people only down to their looks, but it’s not uncommon. The whole idea that celebrities are simply vapid and dumb is pretty prevalent amongst netizens, especially when it comes to K-Pop idols. However, that could not be farther from the truth. Guys especially really like to make fun of male K-Pop idols when some of them are the smartest people in the room.
No really, ask any BTS fan and they will proudly tell you how RM is probably one of the most accomplished and eloquent young men around, even without his talent of singing and dancing. And that’s true. Like, just because you’re a male K-Pop idol, doesn’t have to mean you’re some uneducated kid, right? People can be talented in multiple different fields, at the same time. And so today’s Get Ranked, let’s list down some of the smartest male K-Pop idols in the industry!
Table of Contents
8. Onew – SHINee
As a Shawol whose bias has always been Onew, this gives me so much satisfaction. Of course, the leader of SHINee happens to be one of the smartest idols around. Not only is Onew an amazingly talented musician and singer, but he’s also into theater and academics. Onew was known for being the top student at his school, stating that he gets very competitive very easily.
7. RM – BTS
Look, RM already impressed people when he revealed to people that he was the best English speaker of BTS, without being properly coached. Instead, he used Friends to perfect his speaking skills. But that just speaks to how quick of a learner RM is, especially considering he has an IQ of 148 and has scored an impressive 900 out of 990 in the TOEIC. He has been in the 1%, not just in university exams but also in the idol industry.
6. Ok Taecyeon – 2PM
So, speaking of the TOEIC: It is possible to get a perfect score in this English language proficiency exam. And OK Taecyeon of 2PM fame has done so. But Taecyeon has always been a man of many talents, with his high school years being filled with many activities, such as Chess Club and Debate, alongside being part of the National Honor Society. Later, he went on to graduate from Korea University with a major in International Relations. Talk about a beast of an idol.
5. Changmin – TVXQ
Imagine being Changmin, a man that is not only part of one of the groups that paved the way for K-Pop’s success, but also a person that holds double degrees outside of it. TVXQ is what he might be remembered for, but Changmin is a man of many accomplishments, including graduating from Kyunghee University and Konkun University, two of the top academic institutes in Asia. Though, this isn’t all that hard to believe when you have an IQ that’s close to Einstein himself!
4. Tablo – Epik High
Tablo is one of the most impressive veteran idols in the industry. I mean, how many K-pop idols do you know that got into Stanford or any Ivy League school, for that matter? That too for something as interesting as creative writing and literature? Tablo was even under apprenticeship, with his mentor being the Tobias Wolff, famed American writer. Tablo has a way with words and Epik High’s discography shows it.
3. Kyuhyun – Super Junior
The only reason Kyuhyun is ranking low here is because he’s a mathematical genius and I hate maths. No but seriously, Kyunhyun is an exceptionally talented person, but also analytical. He boasts an 130 IQ, and before he was winning music shows with Super Junior? The man was collecting gold medals in the National Math Olympiad.
2. Cha Eunwoo – ASTRO
Cha Eunwoo might be known more for his acting prowess and for being part of ASTRO, but did you know the man is also an all rounder when it comes to his education? Boasting an IQ of 142, he was constantly on the top of the list in school, whether it was for quizzes, debate competitions or speaking classes. All the while juggling with university applications and being the student council president. Cha Eunwoo originally wanted to get a major in Justice, but instead pursued Performing Arts!
1. Park Kyung – Block B
Of course I’d put the one guy that’s actually registered in MENSA for being the top 1% of the smartest people in the world, on top of this list. Park Kyung, of Block B fame, has a whopping 156 IQ and it shows, considering how he has been tested by MENSA International for his IQ. The reason? He happens to be a mathematics wizkid, much like Kyunhyun. In fact, he scored so well in maths that he is considered a prodigy and even went to a designated school for exceptionally gifted individuals. Like, talk about high standards!
While trying to rank how smart a male K-Pop idol can be, it’s important to remember that everyone excels differently in different fields And trying to put them against each other is sort of redundant. Still, it’s really cool to see these people pursuing arts while still keeping academia on top!
What do you think?
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