BLACKPINK members Lisa and Rosé, K-pop group SEVENTEEN, and Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho have been named among the 100 most impactful Asian Pacific leaders on Gold House’s 2025 A100 List. The annual list honors individuals who have made significant cultural and societal contributions across entertainment, media, technology, and more.
What Is the A100 List?
The A100 List, presented by Gold House, recognizes Asian Pacific leaders who have reshaped industries and broken barriers. Curated by top Asian Pacific organizations and leaders, the list highlights both established icons and emerging talents. This year’s theme, “Tiny Hopes,” celebrates those who turn small dreams into major cultural impacts, as noted in a short film narrated by honoree Darren Criss. The list also includes special categories like Gold Legend awards for lifetime achievements and New Gold honors for rising stars.
Celebrations for the honorees will take place from May 9 to 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. Events include an A100 Celebratory Reception with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, an exclusive A100 Honoree Dinner, and the Gold Gala, featuring performances by artists like DJ Anderson .Paak. The gala will also honor the 25th anniversary of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, with Zhang Ziyi receiving the Gold Bridge Legacy Award.
Lisa’s Global Influence
Lisa, a member of BLACKPINK, earned her spot for her far-reaching impact as a rapper, singer, dancer, and actress. Her solo singles “Lalisa” and “Money” reached the top 10 on the Billboard Global 200, solidifying her global presence. In 2024, she made her acting debut in The White Lotus Season 3, showcasing her versatility. Gold House praised her for breaking records and inspiring millions worldwide.
Her influence extends to fashion, serving as a global ambassador for brands like Celine and Bulgari. Fans on X celebrated her inclusion, with posts calling her a “multifaceted icon” and noting her historic achievements as a K-pop soloist.
“She has broken several records globally with singles ‘Lalisa’ and ‘Money’ charting in the top 10 of the Billboard Global 200.” — Gold House
Rosé’s Musical Milestones
Rosé, another BLACKPINK star, was recognized for her solo success and collaboration with Bruno Mars on the hit single “APT.” Her debut studio album, “rosie”, became the highest-charting album by a Korean female soloist on the Billboard 200. The track “APT.” marked historic achievements, reaching #1 on US Top 40 radio and becoming the highest-charting song by a Korean female artist on the Billboard Hot 100.
Gold House highlighted her role as a global ambassador for brands like Tiffany & Co., Saint Laurent, Puma, and Rimowa, noting her influence in music, fashion, and philanthropy. In 2025, Rosé withdrew from the Korea Music Copyright Association to focus on international projects, further expanding her global reach. Fans on X praised her as a “record-breaking pioneer.”
“The Korean-New Zealand superstar’s first studio album ‘Rosie’ and smash single ‘APT.’ with Bruno Mars marked the biggest debut/highest-charting album on the Billboard 200.” — Gold House
SEVENTEEN’s K-Pop Dominance
SEVENTEEN, the only K-pop group on the 2025 A100 List, was celebrated for their creative innovation and global impact. Since their debut in 2015, the group has grown through their unique “in-house creative ecosystem,” blending hip-hop, vocal, and performance units. Gold House described them as a “K-pop icon” for their dynamic music and collaborations.
Marking their 10th anniversary in 2025, SEVENTEEN is set to release their fifth album, “Happy Burstday”, on May 26. Their relentless ambition and evolving musical style have kept them at the forefront of the industry. Fans on X expressed pride, calling them “trailblazers” for their consistent reinvention.
“As Seventeen mark their 10th anniversary this year, they continue to persistently reinvent themselves beyond a decade, defying expectations with their relentless ambition and ever-expanding musical spectrum.” — Gold House
Bong Joon Ho’s Cinematic Legacy
Bong Joon Ho, the acclaimed director of Parasite, was honored for his continued influence in global cinema. His upcoming film, Mickey 17, set for release in 2025, has already generated buzz. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened a dedicated exhibition, “Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho”, on March 23, 2025, running through January 10, 2027, showcasing his creative process.
Gold House recognized his ability to craft narratives that resonate worldwide, with Parasite earning multiple Oscars, including Best Picture. Despite a controversy earlier in 2025, where he faced criticism for omitting Lisa when naming BLACKPINK members as his favorite K-pop group, his inclusion on the A100 List focuses on his cinematic achievements.
“The A100 List illuminates the profound cultural imprint of the Asian Pacific community.” — Bing Chen and Jeremy Tran, Gold House CEO and COO
Other Notable Honorees
The 2025 A100 List includes a diverse group of leaders. Jon M. Chu, director of Wicked, and actors Michelle Yeoh and Bowen Yang were recognized for their work on the record-breaking musical adaptation. Ang Lee, known for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, received a Gold Legend award for his lifetime contributions to cinema.
Other honorees include Bruno Mars, Charli XCX, Nicole Scherzinger, and Squid Game Season 2 creator Hwang Dong-hyuk with stars Lee Byung-hun and Lee Jung-jae. The list also features tech innovators like Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind and literary star Han Kang, the first Korean female Nobel Prize in Literature winner.
Check out the full list here from the Entertainment section.
LISA (Rapper, Singer, Dancer, Actress and member of BLACKPINK)
ROSÉ (Music Artist)
SEVENTEEN (K-pop Group)
Bong Joon Ho (Director)
Lee Byung-hun, Lee Jung-jae & Hwang Dong-hyuk (Lead Cast & Creator, Squid Game Season 2)
Junkoo Kim & David J. Lee (Founder and CEO & CFO and COO, WEBTOON Entertainment)
Alex Yee (Co-Creator and Screenwriter of Arcane, Riot Games)
Andrew Ahn, Anita Gou, Bowen Yang, Han Gi-Chan & Kelly Marie Tran (Lead Cast & Creators, The Wedding Banquet)
Anjali Sud (CEO, Tubi)
Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Dave Derrick Jr. & Dana Ledoux Miller (Lead Cast & Directors, Moana 2)
Amy Homma (Director and President of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures)
Bruno Mars (Music Artist)
Charli XCX (Music Artist)
Darren Criss & Helen J. Shen (Lead Actors, Maybe Happy Ending)
David Henry Hwang & Daniel Dae Kim (Playwright & Lead Actor, Yellow Face)
Derek Chang (President and CEO, Liberty Media)
Han Kang (Author)
Imran Majid (Co-Chairman and CEO, Island Records)
Jon M. Chu, Michelle Yeoh & Bowen Yang (Director & Actors, Wicked)
Laufey (Grammy Award-winning Music Artist)
Maer Roshan (Co-Editor-in-Chief, The Hollywood Reporter)
Mike Van (President, Billboard)
Nicole Scherzinger (Grammy-Nominated, Platinum-Selling Singer, Actress and Dancer)
Nihar Malaviya (CEO, Penguin Random House)
Rahul Purini (President, Crunchyroll)
Ramin Setoodeh (Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety)
Ravi Ahuja (President and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Samantha Quan (Academy Award-Winning Producer)
Sarlina See (CFO, Penske Media Corporation)
Tyla (Music Artist)
Will Lee & Ryan Joe (CEO & Editor-in-Chief, ADWEEK)
Public and Fan Reactions
Fans across platforms expressed excitement over the honorees. On X, BLACKPINK supporters highlighted Lisa and Rosé as the only K-pop soloists on the list, with one post stating, “Their global impact is undeniable!” SEVENTEEN fans celebrated the group’s 10-year legacy, noting their “unmatched creativity.” Some praised Bong Joon Ho, though a few referenced the earlier controversy, with comments like, “His work speaks for itself, but he should acknowledge all members.”
“Gold House selected #ROSÉ & #LISA as part of the 2025 #A100, the most impactful Asian Pacific leaders in culture.” “@BLACKPINK also listed on their Hall of Fame for the continual tribute more than twice.” — @blinksunitedtwt
Why This Matters
The A100 List underscores the growing influence of Asian Pacific voices in global culture. By honoring Lisa, Rosé, SEVENTEEN, and Bong Joon Ho, Gold House highlights their roles as “First Lights” who inspire others. The list’s diversity, spanning music, film, and beyond, reflects the community’s broad impact.
Cities across North America, including New York and Toronto, will light landmarks in gold to mark the occasion, symbolizing the community’s rising cultural power. The Gold Gala on May 10, 2025, will be a key moment to celebrate these achievements, with performances and speeches from honorees.
As of May 2025, Lisa is promoting her solo work and preparing for future projects following her White Lotus debut. Rosé continues to focus on international music releases, with “APT.” still dominating charts. SEVENTEEN is gearing up for their album release, while Bong Joon Ho is in the spotlight with Mickey 17 and his museum exhibition. The A100 events in Los Angeles are expected to draw significant attention, with fans eagerly awaiting the Gold Gala.
CREDITS: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Gold House
