Fortune has unveiled its first-ever Most Powerful Women in Asia list — and among the business leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs shaping the region’s future, two of Asia’s biggest cultural icons have made the cut: BLACKPINK and Michelle Yeoh.
The new ranking, launched this week, recognises 100 women transforming Asia across business, politics, and culture. While corporate heavyweights dominate much of the list, Fortune’s inclusion of global entertainment figures marks a shift in how power is being measured in the region — one that extends beyond boardrooms into cultural impact and global influence.
Culture as Power
Fortune highlighted 12 “Asian icons” whose influence extends into public life, arts, and sports — a category where BLACKPINK and Yeoh stand out as defining symbols of Asia’s soft power. The move underscores how pop culture has become an essential driver of visibility and influence, shaping how the world sees the region and how young Asians see themselves.
As a group, BLACKPINK have transcended K-pop to become a global phenomenon. From headlining Coachella to fronting campaigns for luxury fashion houses, the quartet — Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, and Rosé — have built a cultural empire that stretches across music, fashion, and social media. Their inclusion in Fortune’s ranking formalises what fans and industry watchers have long recognised: that BLACKPINK’s reach extends far beyond the stage.
“Lisa, Jennie, Rosé, and Jisoo have broken numerous records since their debut in 2016: the first to sell one million, then two million, album copies in South Korea; the first Korean group to top the Billboard 200 album chart; the highest-grossing concert tour by a female artist,” Fortune states.
“BLACKPINK, and K-pop and K-culture more broadly, are now a source of South Korean ‘soft power,’ expanding the country’s cultural influence across Asia and beyond.”
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Their impact has been particularly significant for Asia’s Gen Z, who see in BLACKPINK a form of representation that fuses artistry, business savvy, and cultural confidence. As ambassadors of brands like Chanel, Celine, and Dior, the group’s influence cuts across industries, reinforcing their position as not just entertainers, but global tastemakers.
Michelle Yeoh’s Enduring Influence
Meanwhile, Michelle Yeoh’s presence on the list speaks to the enduring power of storytelling and legacy. The Malaysian-born actor, who made history as the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, has become a symbol of resilience and evolution.
Yeoh’s decades-long career — spanning Hong Kong action cinema, Hollywood blockbusters, and critically acclaimed performances — represents a blueprint for Asian visibility in global entertainment. Her recognition by Fortune affirms her role as a trailblazer who has not only broken barriers but helped redefine what success looks like for Asian creatives on the world stage.
“With a career spanning over four decades, Yeoh has helped pave the way for Asian actors on the global stage,” Fortune praises. “Her journey began in Hong Kong cinema, where she won fame for her roles in action films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
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“She has since transitioned to Hollywood, earning acclaim for her versatility and depth in diverse roles. Beyond acting, she’s championed causes like gender equality and environmental sustainability, leveraging her social media presence and public speaking engagements to push for change.”
DBS, Luxshare, And Huawei Take The Top Spots
At the top of Fortune’s list sits Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS, marking a milestone for Southeast Asia’s financial sector. As the first woman to helm the region’s largest bank, Tan has been lauded for steering DBS through digital transformation and global expansion. Her leadership underscores the region’s growing confidence in female decision-makers at the highest levels of finance.
She’s joined by Grace Wang, co-founder and CEO of China’s Luxshare Precision, and Meng Wanzhou, rotating chairwoman of Huawei — both representing China’s technological muscle and manufacturing might. Wang has built Luxshare into a key Apple supplier, symbolising Asia’s dominance in global supply chains. Meng, meanwhile, continues to navigate Huawei through geopolitical pressures, embodying both resilience and ambition in an era of tech nationalism.
