Forbes magazine unveiled its annual 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 list of “300 changemakers in 10 categories who are transforming their industries.”
“To source candidates for the list, Forbes Asia reporters and editors comb through thousands of online submissions, as well as tap industry sources and list alumni for recommendations. Candidates are evaluated by the Forbes Asia team and a panel of independent, expert judges on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) funding and/or revenue, social impact, scale, inventiveness and potential,” according to Forbes.
The 300 personalities are grouped in 10 categories: The Arts; Entertainment and Sports; Enterprise Technology; Consumer Technology; Healthcare and Science; Finance and Venture Capital; Industry, Manufacturing and Energy; Media, Marketing and Advertising; Retail and Commerce;, and Social Impact.
According to Forbes, this year, 21 countries and territories are represented in the list, topped by India with 86 entries, followed by China and Japan (32 each), Singapore (27), Australia (26) and Indonesia (18).
Thai actor Bright Vachirawit, K-pop group IVE, Filipino-American rapper Ez Mil, Indonesian metal band Voice of Baceprot (VoB) and Japanese group Atarashii Gakko! are among those selected in Entertainment and Sports.
According to Forbes, “Vachirawit Chivaaree, also known as Bright, is a Thai actor and singer with an enormous following on social media: 18.7 million followers on Instagram and 5.1 million followers on X.”
Thai actor Bright Vachirawit (X)
“He modeled for Calvin Klein and is a global ambassador for such big brands as Burberry and Adidas. Bright launched his own merchandise in 2020 under the brand ASTRO Stuffs, which champions sustainable fashion. Last year, he established Cloud9 Entertainment, an artist management agency, and partnered with Universal Music Thailand to offer Thai talents an international platform,” it added.
Meanwhile, Forbes wrote about IVE, “In November 2022, the group won Best New Female Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards and five weeks later won Rookie Artist of the Year at the Golden Disc Awards. Ive's most popular song to date is ‘After Like,’ released in August 2022, with 270 million YouTube views. Managed by Starship Entertainment, a subsidiary of Kakao Entertainment, Ive is the label's top girl group. Last year, it became regional brand ambassador for Puma.”
K-pop group IVE (X)
The magazine wrote, “The rap talents of Ez Mil, real name Ezekiel Miller, caught the attention of legends Dr. Dre and Eminem -- even if they couldn't understand his Filipino lyrics. Ez Mil first attracted attention with his reflections on Philippine nationalism in the track ‘Panalo,’ but it was last year's ‘Up Down’ that brought him together with Dre and Eminem, with the latter performing on Ez Mil's 2023 album ‘DU4LI7Y: REDUX.’ Born in Olongapo, Ez Mil comes from a musical family, and is now based in Las Vegas.”
Ez Mil (Javar Tolentino)
About Voice of Baceprot, Forbes wrote, “After a decade together, the all-female, hijab-wearing Indonesian metal band Voice of Baceprot (VoB) last year released its first album, Retas, then quit its record label to go independent. The gutsy decision matches its reputation for challenging stereotypes in the Muslim-majority country. The band comprises Firda Marsya Kurnia (vocals), Widi Rahmawati (bass) and Euis Siti Aisyah (drums). They were introduced to metal in their early teens by a teacher who taught them how to play instruments and helped set up their band.”
Voice of Baceprot (Instagram)
“The four members of ATARASHII GAKKO! have intrigued audiences around the world with their cheeky sailor costumes, sassy dances and bold message of nonconformity. Since forming in 2015, the group joined label 88rising, hopped on the international music festival circuit -- including Coachella in 2024 -- and started appearing on U.S. shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live! Their idiosyncratic performances aren't mere weirdness: the group's philosophy is to challenge the norms set for Japanese youth and encourage individuality and freedom,” according to Forbes.
Atarashii Gakko! (Instagram)
The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 list under Entertainment and Sports:
Voice of Baceprot - Metal Band
Vachirawit (Bright) Chivaaree - 26 | Actor
Aina The End - 29 | Singer
Atarashii Gakko! - Girl Group
Josh Cavallo 24 | Soccer Player
Arpan Chandel (King) - 25 | Rapper
Pavithra Chari - 29 | Singer-Songwriter
Kokona Hiraki - 15 | Skateboarder
Lam San-Tung, Wong Wai-Chun - 26, 24 | Rowers, Hong Kong Rowing Team
Huang Yuting - 17 | Athlete
Dinara Punchihewa - 29 | Actress
Park Hye-Jeong - 20 | Athlete
Hwang Sun-Woo - 20 | Swimmer
IVE - K-pop Band
Kim Si-Eun - 24 | Actress
Ezekiel Miller - 25 | Rapper
Oh Sang-Uk - 27 | Fencer
Veronica Shanti Pereira - 27 | Athlete
Mahalini Raharja - 23 | Singer
Roki Sasaki - 22 | Baseball Player, Chiba Lotte Marines
Jess Hong - 27 | Actress
Pan Zhanle - 19 | Swimmer
Sivasangari Subramaniam - 24 | Squash Player
Sun Yingsha - 23 | Table Tennis Player
Atthaya Thitikul - 20 | Golfer
Theara Thoeun - 27 | Athlete
Chuqin Wang - 23 | Table Tennis Player
Yin Ruoning - 21 | Golfer
Ami Yuasa - 25 | Dancer
Zheng Qinwen - 21 | Athlete, Tennis