VMAN SEA 100
From boundary-breaking designers to chart-topping recording artists, meet the visionaries currently reshaping Southeast Asian culture
- A cross-disciplinary roster of 100 male creators is actively dismantling traditional boundaries and taking Southeast Asian artistry global.
- Spanning cinema, high fashion, independent art, and music, these visionaries represent the bold vanguard of our contemporary creative era.
Meet the forces reshaping Southeast Asian culture
Across Southeast Asia, a seismic cultural shift is taking place, led by a dynamic collective of creators, innovators, and disruptors. Moving far beyond set boundaries, these individuals are driving culture across fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary, music, entertainment, acting, art, design, and beyond.
This curated list of 100 men celebrates the talents who are actively dismantling outdated conventions and elevating regional identity on an international stage. Their collective momentum proves that Southeast Asia’s creative renaissance is not a future promise, but a vital reality happening in real time.
Discover the visionaries, boundary-pushers, and cultural architects defining our present.
100. BGYO
BGYO have spent the better part of their rise proving that P-pop can play on a global stage without losing its Filipino pulse.
The five-member “Aces of P-pop” have built an increasingly ambitious sound across three EPs, while taking their performance style to stages in Bangkok and Japan.
99. HURRYKNG
HURRYKNG, the Vietnamese rapper and GERDNANG mainstay, is having his breakout moment.
Now, as Vietnamese hip-hop continues to travel beyond its borders, he represents a new wave of Southeast Asian artists making rap as much about personality and presence as the music itself.
98. Dominic Fike
Dominic Fike has never seemed particularly interested in staying in one lane.
With his 2018 track ‘Babydoll’ enjoying a massive revival and a new album, ‘How To Quit Smoking,’ on the horizon, he remains one of pop’s most unpredictable shape-shifters, representing boundaryless creativity that continues to resonate with Southeast Asia’s music.
97. Benjamin Kheng
Benjamin Kheng first made his mark with ‘The Sam Willows’ before carving out a solo career, while expanding into acting, writing, directing, and comedy along the way.
With more than 100 million Spotify streams and an MTV EMA nomination for Best Southeast Asian Act, he has become a one-man creative ecosystem, embodying the restless spirit of Singapore’s new cultural vanguard.
96. Arthur Nery
Arthur Nery has turned heartbreak into a streaming empire.
The Filipino R&B singer-songwriter has become one of OPM’s most recognizable voices, pairing velvety vocals with romantic songwriting that has made his music impossible to escape.
95. Keng Harit
Keng Harit first found himself going viral online before making the jump to entertainment.
With Rising Star honors and a growing presence across film, television, music, and fashion, he represents Thailand’s new breed of crossover stars whose appeal is increasingly reaching audiences far beyond the country’s borders.
94. Cup of Joe
Cup of Joe have gone from lunchtime high school jams to becoming one of the biggest bands in the Philippines.
The five-piece turned ‘Multo’ into a bona fide cultural phenomenon, spending 27 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 and becoming the first Filipino act to enter the Billboard Global 200.
93. WOKEUP
WOKEUP has spent years making stars sound bigger from behind the boards.
The Vietnamese producer first broke through on ‘Rap Viet,’ becoming a sought-after force behind hits shaping Vietnam’s new-school sound before stepping into the spotlight himself with his debut EP, ‘WOKEUPAT4AM.’
92. Lola Amour
Lola Amour turned ‘Raining in Manila’ into a nationwide anthem, sending the track to No. 2 on Billboard Philippines and even to No. 2 on Spotify’s global chart, before earning the Special Award for Philippine Popular Music at the 2025 Music Awards Japan.
With their brass-heavy funk and city-pop influences, the band represents an OPM generation proving that a song rooted in one city can resonate far beyond it.
91. Hael Husaini
Hael Husaini has spent the better part of his career pairing radio-ready hooks with an ear for songs that linger long after the final note.
From winning Anugerah Juara Lagu to becoming one of the country’s most sought-after songwriters, he understands that a hit record is only half the story.
90. Afgan
Afgan has spent years perfecting the art of the Indonesian love song.
Since breaking out with ‘Terima Kasih Cinta’ in 2008, the Jakarta-born singer has built a catalogue of enduring hits, while collecting major Indonesian music awards and becoming a familiar name across the region.
89. ALAMAT
Alamat are making P-pop impossible to mistake for anything else.
The six-member Filipino group draws from the languages, folklore, fashion, and cultural traditions of different regions across the Philippines, folding them into a modern sound and visual identity.
Their rise has earned them international recognition, as they take a proudly Filipino blueprint into the wider Asian pop conversation.
88. James of Cortis
James is proof that the next era of K-pop stars can come with a passport full of influences.
The Thai-Taiwanese member of Cortis was already writing and choreographing for HYBE acts before his 2025 debut, with a stint as a backup dancer for BTS’ Jung Kook among his early credits.
Now, as Cortis breaks out as one of K-pop’s fastest-rising new groups, he brings a global sensibility to the idol template, making him one of the scene’s most compelling new faces.
87. Choi San
Choi San first made headlines at Dolce and Gabbana’s Alta Moda show, arriving in a baroque harness that announced him as a fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary force beyond K-pop, before becoming the Italian house’s global ambassador the following year.
The Korean star represents a new form of cultural influence, where music, fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary, and Asian pop culture increasingly exist without borders.
86. Skusta Clee
From his early trap records with O.C. Dawgs to pop and R&B cuts, Skusta Clee has built a catalogue defined by genre-hopping instincts.
Now, his 2026 collaboration with @plojiflowg, ‘Since Day One,’ has taken the No. 1 spot of the Billboard Philippines Hot 100, proving that nearly a decade into his run, he still knows exactly what the streets want to hear.
85. SB19
Who doesn’t know SB19 by now?
The blueprint of P-pop have gone from pioneers to a global act, taking their sound from sold-out shows to Lollapalooza Chicago, where they became the first P-pop group and Filipino act to grace the festival’s stage.
With 12 entries on Billboard Philippines’ Highest Charting P-pop Songs list in 2026 and ‘DAM’ becoming the first P-pop song to top Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales Chart, SB19 are helping determine just how far the genre can go.
84. Hieuthuhai
After breaking through on ‘King of Rap,’ Hieuthuhai became a household name through ‘Anh Trai “Say Hi,”‘ which he won in 2024, while his music has racked up hundreds of millions of streams and his style has landed him in rooms with the likes of Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein.
Equal parts hitmaker, television personality, and fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary fixture, the Vietnamese artist is at the center of his country’s new pop-cultural mainstream, with an influence that now travels well beyond hip-hop.
83. Jeff Satur
Jeff Satur first won international attention as Kim in ‘KinnPorsche,’ then turned that momentum into a solo music career, releasing his debut album ‘Space Shuttle No. 8’ and taking it across Asia.
His leap to the big screen earned him Best Actor at the Kom Chad Leuk Awards, while appointments as Valentino’s first Thai brand ambassador and Cartier Thailand ambassador cemented his place in fashion.
82. Alex Face
Bangkok-based street artist and painter Alex Face created his signature three-eyed, bunny-eared character Mardi after the birth of his daughter.
With his work now spanning Bangkok, New York, London, Singapore, and beyond, he has taken Thai street art from the city’s back alleys to the international contemporary art stage.
81. Yves Bautista
Yves is building a Filipino menswear universe of his own.
As the founder and creative director of de tsino, he has carved out a visual language rooted in contemporary Filipino style, while moonlighting behind the decks as a DJ.
Moving between fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary, music, and nightlife, Yves is part of a new wave of Filipino tastemakers proving that creative direction doesn’t have to stay in one lane.
80. Gong Kan
Gong Kan developed his signature “Teleport Art” while living in New York, merging street art, illustration, and surrealist painting into a visual language of strange worlds and impossible dimensions.
From the streets of New York to exhibitions at MOCA Bangkok, X Museum in Beijing, and Tang Contemporary across Asia, the Bangkok-born artist has become one of Thailand’s most distinctive contemporary artists.
79. Jason Go
Jason Go, better known as @bradleytries_, has made chicken inasal a personality trait.
What started as a food content creator ranking his favorite spots has grown into a trusted voice in the Philippines’ dining scene.
Even a throwaway Apple Pay joke can pull millions of views, but it’s his devotion to Filipino food that has made him one of the internet’s most recognizable new tastemakers.
78. Welson Lim
Welson Lim, the Malaysian freestyle specialist, has represented the country at two Olympic Games and claimed SEA Games gold in the 200m and 400m freestyle, building a reputation as one of Malaysia’s most recognizable swimmers along the way.
77. Dwight Ramos
Dwight has made the Philippines-Japan basketball pipeline his own.
The Filipino-American guard has become a fixture of Japan’s B.League with Levanga Hokkaido while establishing himself as one of Gilas Pilipinas’ most dependable two-way players.
Now back in the national-team fold for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, he sits at the intersection of Filipino basketball’s local fervor and carries the Gilas name with him wherever he plays.
76. Mitchell Saron
The Filipino-American sabre fencer and Harvard alum made his Olympic debut for Team USA at Paris 2024, finishing 14th individually and seventh with the men’s team, while a 2023 World Championship bronze established him among the sport’s elite.
But Mitchell Sarron’s influence extends beyond the piste: with a growing modeling career, wellness platform, and a VMAN Southeast Asia cover already under his belt, he is undoubtedly one of the names to know now.
75. Elijah Cole
Elijah is quite literally reaching for new heights.
The Filipino pole vaulter has built an international career in the event, clearing a personal best of 5.41 meters and winning two national titles before becoming eligible to represent the Philippines in international competition in 2025.
He has since made his presence felt on the Philippine athletics circuit, including a 5.40-meter win at the 2025 Pole Vault in the Plaza.
74. Alex Albon
The London-born Thai driver went from a Red Bull exit and a year on the sidelines to rebuilding his Formula 1 career with Williams, becoming a key figure in the team’s rise back up the grid.
With two career podiums and a reputation for extracting more from a car than it seems to have on paper, Alex has become the defining face of Thailand’s racing ambitions.
73. Sandro Reyes
Sandro Reyes has been chasing the European game since childhood.
The Filipino attacking midfielder earned a scholarship to FC Barcelona’s Escola at just nine, developed through Spain’s youth system, and eventually moved to Germany with Greuther Fürth II before joining FC Gütersloh.
Now, with years of European football behind him, Sandro is showing just how far Filipino talent can travel.
72. Joseph Schooling
Joseph Schooling only needed 50.39 seconds to change Singaporean sport forever.
The swimmer stunned the world at Rio 2016, beating childhood idol Michael Phelps to the 100m butterfly gold and delivering Singapore its first-ever Olympic title.
72. Dave Ildefonso
Dave Ildefonso has had to live with a famous surname, but he’s been busy building a name of his own.
The Filipino guard carved out his own path from an Ateneo high school championship to a UAAP title in 2022, a stint in South Korea’s KBL, and a spot on Strong Group Pilipinas at the 2024 Jones Cup.
Now playing for the Abra Weavers, he is adding an MPBL championship and MVP award to the résumé, proving there’s more to the Ildefonso legacy than the name on the back of the jersey.
70. Amer Harris
Amer Harris has been racing toward the international spotlight since he was eight.
The Malaysian driver is a three-time Asian karting champion with more than 18 karting wins, before moving into cars and claiming victories in the Sepang 1000KM and Hyundai N Cup in China.
In 2025, he became the only Malaysian selected for the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool, adding a podium on his debut in Shanghai to an already rapid rise
69. Jakob Poturnak
Jakob Poturnak traded the Philippines for the American college baseball circuit, earning a Division I spot with Xavier University before continuing his development at Cloud County Community College and Saint Mary’s.
A powerful infielder with professional ambitions, he has also become a new-generation Filipino heartthrob almost by accident, giving him a rare crossover appeal between sports and pop culture.
68. Glenn Victor Sutanto
Glenn spent nearly two decades in the pool, collecting SEA Games medals and national records in butterfly before stepping away from competitive swimming in 2023.
He returned to the public eye in a different arena, winning The New L-Men of the Year 2024 and finishing third at Mister International 2024, proving that his competitive streak was never limited to the water.
67. Bjorn Kristensen
Bjorn has gone from Norwegian football prospect to one of the Philippines’ most exciting young strikers.
His breakout came in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, where he scored all four goals in a 4-1 win over Timor-Leste, quickly establishing himself as a new talisman for Philippine football.
66. Jared McCain
Jared went from a five-star high school recruit and Duke standout to the No. 16 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, earning an NBA All-Rookie Team spot after a breakout start with the Philadelphia 76ers.
With Filipino roots on his mother’s side, he is part of a new wave of NBA stars whose influence extends well beyond the court.
65. Rama Dicandra
Rama has been making Indonesian fashion feel a little less predictable for more than a decade.
The Jakarta-based stylist and fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary creative first built a following through personal style and blogging, later turning that eye into editorial work for titles and brands across Indonesia.
64. Kairi
Kairi has turned the jungle into his territory.
The Filipino Mobile Legends: Bang Bang star broke through with ONIC Philippines before making the move to Indonesia in 2022, where he became a centerpiece of ONIC’s historic four-peat in MPL Indonesia.
Along the way, he has collected an MSC title, multiple MVP honors, and M-Series World Championship runner-up finishes, while becoming one of the most recognizable Filipino players in international esports.
63. Duc Ngo
Duc Ngo approaches image-making through the details of everyday life, moving between fashion editorials, commercial campaigns, and documentary work.
As Head of Photography at Artclass Creative Vietnam a Ho Chi Minh City-based creative house and educational platform focused on fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary and visual culture, he is helping shape the way how Vietnamese creatives sees and tells its own stories.
62. Carl Tamayo
Carl Tamayo made his name with the UP Fighting Maroons, winning a UAAP title before heading to Japan’s B.League and later establishing himself in South Korea with the Changwon LG Sakers.
With his career now firmly rooted in Asia’s pro basketball circuit, he is showing how far Filipino talent can travel.
61. Felipe Marasigan
Felipe Marasigan went from representing the country on the court with the Philippine National Handball Team to taking the national spotlight as Mister Pilipinas Supranational 2026.
With a background in athletics and a breakout run in pageantry, he is part of a new wave of Filipino talents whose reach extends well beyond a single arena, representing the Philippines on both the court and the global stage.
60. Duy Tran
Few designers have moved faster than Duy Tran
His label, FANCi CLUB, went from local upcycling project to dressing Hollywood’s A-list in a matter of seasons. Unapologetically distinct, his work continues to put Vietnam on the international fashion map on his own terms.
59. Inigo Anton
Inigo has gone from local karting prodigy to one of the most exciting young drivers in Southeast Asian motorsport.
His breakout year culminated on the regional stage as the Formula 4 SEA Rookie Champion, backed by a staggering domestic run that includes two TGR Vios Cup championships, two Radical Cup titles, and a Formula V1 crown.
Having already represented the nation as a 2023 Olympic Esports finalist, he has quickly established himself as a versatile, title-winning force leading a new era of Filipino racing.
58. Dylan Harper
Dylan Harper was a key part of the San Antonio Spurs’ road to the NBA finals.
In his rookie year, he instantly proved that his pace belongs at the highest level of the game, averaging 11.8 points and 4.2 assists while running the offense with veteran poise.
With Filipino heritage on his mother’s side and a championship basketball pedigree from his father, he is part of an exciting new wave of players shaping the league’s next era.
57. Andrew Putra
Andrew Putra turned an eye for lifestyle and sportswear into a lane entirely his own, channeling retro utility into cuts that look just as natural on the street as they do in motion.
Behind his Jakarta-born label Gimme, he established himself as one of the city’s top creative forces, earning his place among Southeast Asia’s most exciting independent designers.
56. Nikko Remigio
Nikko Remigio went from an undrafted rookie fighting for practice reps to earning a Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Fueled by his Filipino roots on the field, the wide receiver carved out a key role through pure speed and consistency, securing his spot where every yard counts.
55. Gavin Teo
Gavin operates with an effortless grip across both screen and sound.
First catching public attention on Hey Gorgeous, he quickly moved beyond early reality-TV fame to establish himself across prime-time drama and recording studios alike.
Delivering resonant vocal performances while captivating audiences with ease, he cements his place among the region’s most compelling creative figures.
54. Anthony Constantino
Two-time VMAN Southeast Asia cover star Anthony Constantino is currently one of the Philippines’ most sought-after personalities.
Moving seamlessly between film and modeling sets, he reached a defining milestone by wearing the Philippine Olympic delegation’s uniform, designed by Francis Libiran
53. Isaiah Zacarias
Filipino model Isaiah Zacarias had barely been in the industry for a year when he walked for @newbottega’s Fall 2024 show.
Signed to agencies across major cities like New York, Paris, and London, he steadily expanded his footprint across campaigns, firmly cementing his presence on the global stage.
52. Ridzman Zidaine
Ridzman Zidaine carved his name into fashion history when he became the first Malaysian model to open a runway show for Louis Vuitton.
He quickly converted that first runway booking into a global career, building a sustained presence seen across the biggest fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary houses, while firmly anchoring Southeast Asian talent on the industry’s most exclusive stages.
51. Vikenes Waren
Indonesian model Vikernes Waren has established himself as a reliable name on European fashion circuits.
This year, he walked for big names such as Jacquemus and Yohji Yamamoto, solidifying his role as one of Southeast Asia’s most sought-after faces on the world’s biggest stages.
50. Alif Syahimi
Alif is one of the fresh faces shaping Malaysia’s fashion scene.
A model with a background in athletics, he recently competed at Sukan Asasi Malaysia 2026, bringing the focus, discipline, and competitive spirit of sport into a growing career in fashion.
49. Kobi Mikail
Kobi Mikail found a new direction after years of playing basketball.
The Indonesian model made his debut after entering the UI Fashion Week Model Hunt in 2023, where he placed first runner-up.
Since then, he has continued to build momentum through campaigns and runway appearances, establishing himself as a name to watch in Indonesia’s fashion scene.
48. Minh Lai
Minh Lai is taking Vietnamese modeling beyond its home market.
With representation across international modeling agencies, he embodies the growing presence of Vietnamese talent and Southeast Asia’s expanding footprint in the global fashion industry.
47. Neil Dy
Neil Dy has found his calling in the kitchen, where he now leads the culinary direction of seva, a restaurant featured in the MICHELIN Guide.
As head chef and co-founder of the restaurant, he has traded his earlier work in modeling for a life shaped by food, hospitality, and entrepreneurship, proving that reinvention can be its own kind of craft.
46. Vico Sotto
Vico Sotto has made accountability a defining part of his public life.
Across three terms in office, he has pushed for a more transparent government while expanding programs in education, healthcare, and social welfare.
His tenure has helped shape a new generation of Filipino public figures whose influence reaches beyond politics and into the wider Southeast Asian conversation on responsible governance.
45. Kao Noppakao
Kao has turned standout performances into an undeniable presence across Thailand’s entertainment scene.
From his breakout in Until We Meet Again to leading roles in Lovely Writer and Dhevaprom, he has built a body of work that has carried his appeal beyond the country, expanding the regional influence of Thai television and the growing visibility of its leading actors.
44. Robbie Jaworski
Robbie is forging a path in entertainment that is distinctly his own.
After earning a management degree, he made the leap into show business, joining Star Magic as an actor and host, who turned heads with his boy-next-door charm.
With his sharp intellect and strong sense of social responsibility, he represents a generation of Southeast Asian talent redefining what it means to have substance in entertainment.
43. Peach Pachara
Peach has spent more than a decade moving effortlessly between Thailand’s creative worlds.
From his breakout roles in SuckSeed and The Billionaire to his work as a musician and entrepreneur, Peach has built a career that extends far beyond acting.
His ability to move between entertainment, music, and business reflects the increasingly fluid paths of Southeast Asia’s creative talent.
42. Omar Daniel
The Indonesian actor and model first entered entertainment through modeling and commercial work before landing television and film roles, building a decade-long career across Indonesian pop culture.
But his influence extends beyond the screen: a regular on fashion’s radar, Omar has become known for his timeless approach to menswear while championing the evolution of Indonesian design and traditional textiles.
41. Jack Gohr
Jack went from cabin crew to one of Malaysia’s most recognizable style figures, bringing his laid-back approach from local campaigns to the front rows of Milan and Paris Fashion Week.
With collaborations spanning Dior, YSL Beauty, Swarovski, and Coach, he has turned personal style into a platform and is proving that Malaysian fashion influence can travel well beyond home turf.
40. Glenn Yong
Already established as an actor and singer, Singapore’s Glenn Yong is now pushing deeper into the regional scene, from a growing Mandarin music career to appearances across Asia that are steadily expanding his audience.
In 2026, his single ‘It’s Always You’ took him to Taiwan, where packed school crowds sang along despite hearing the song for the first time.
Add a fourth consecutive TC Candler appearance, this time at No. 20, and it’s clear he’s building a Southeast Asian presence of his own.
39. Eman Bacosa
Eman Bacosa is stepping into his own spotlight.
The 22-year-old boxer has made his mark in the ring with eight wins and five knockouts, while expanding into entertainment without ever stepping away from the fight game.
Watch out for this new-generation Pacquiao. His story is only just beginning.
38. Lien Binh Phat
After breaking out with ‘Song Lang,’ Lien Binh Phat has spent years building a formidable screen presence, culminating in a historic Best Actor win at Taiwan’s Golden Bell Awards for ‘The Outlaw Doctor.’
Now with new films, music, and international projects in the mix, he is proving that his next chapter is bigger than Vietnam.
37. Win Metawin
Win Metawin has gone from Thai heartthrob to one of Asia’s most bankable fashion names.
Since his breakout in ‘2gether’ and ‘F4 Thailand,’ the actor has built a regional following that now extends well beyond the screen, with Prada naming him a brand ambassador in 2023 and Prada Beauty adding him as its regional ambassador in 2026.
36. Hudson Williams
Hudson Williams went from ‘Heated Rivalry’ breakout to one of fashion’s newest faces almost overnight.
The Canadian actor turned heads as Shane Hollander before making his runway debut for Dsquared2, joining Balenciaga as a Friend of the House, and landing his first Met Gala appearance in a head-turning Balenciaga look.
With Hollywood calling and fashion quickly following suit, he is proving that his post-‘Heated Rivalry’ era is only getting started.
35. JM Ibarra
After breaking out on the Philippine edition of ‘Big Brother’, JM Ibarra is stepping firmly into leading-man territory, taking on his first lead in ‘Child No. 82’ before reuniting with Fyang Smith for their first film as a top-billed pair in ‘Almost Us.’
With a growing slate of screen roles ahead, he is proving there’s more to him than the pretty face that first caught everyone’s attention.
34. Angga Yunanda
Angga is taking Indonesian cinema global, one daring role at a time.
Once known for teen dramas, the actor has evolved into one of the country’s most in-demand young film stars.
This year, Wregas Bhanuteja’s ‘Levitating’ brought him to Sundance, where his physically demanding performance as a young man caught between spiritual tradition and personal ambition marked a bold new chapter.
32. Zeke Polina
Zeke Polina is having a breakout year at full speed.
After making his mark as Mykel in ‘Ang Mutya ng Section E,’ the young actor landed his first major streaming lead in ‘Hell University,’ putting him firmly on the radar of the next batch of Filipino stars.
32. Arya Mohan
The former football player turned actor first stepped onto the screen in 2022, building momentum through ’96 Jam,’ ‘Galaksi,’ and ‘Private Bodyguard’ before landing the role that put him firmly on the radar: Mohan in ‘Asmara Gen Z.
‘With his athletic build, model looks, and a growing run of screen credits, Arya is making the jump from promising newcomer to one of Indonesia’s leading men.
31. Nadhir Nasar
After breaking through with ‘Projek: High Council’ and its follow-up ‘Kahar: Kapla High Council,’ Malaysia’s Nadhir Nasar has expanded his resume behind the camera, most recently stepping into the director’s chair for ‘Bila.’
At this pace, Nasar is carving out a career in front of the camera while laying the groundwork for what comes next.
30. Blue Pongtiwat
Blue Pongtiwat has been building his case as one of Thailand’s next major stars.
After making his screen debut as a teenager and gaining attention in ‘Krong Kam,’ the actor grew into leading roles before ‘Ready, Set, Love’ introduced him to a much wider international audience.
Now, with a music career launched in 2025 and a growing profile across acting and fashion, Blue is turning years of steady work into a breakout moment of his own.
29. Inigo Pascual
Inigo has spent the last few years proving that a Filipino star can play on a much bigger stage.
The singer-actor broke into Hollywood with ‘Monarch,’ before returning to Philippine cinema with ‘Fatherland’ and ‘Drags to Riches.’
His return to music with the 2026 single ‘Ikaw at Ikaw’ finds him moving between Manila and the international scene, with a range that makes him difficult to box in
28. Bryan Domani
The Indonesian actor first made his name as a child performer before carving out a serious film biography.
Starring alongside Angga Yunanda and Maudy Ayunda in Wregas Bhanuteja’s ‘Levitating,’ which premiered at Sundance in 2026, Bryan Domani is stepping into a more ambitious chapter of his career.
27. BamBam
BamBam has turned being a Thai star in K-pop into a global career all his own.
As a member of GOT7, he helped build one of the genre’s most enduring groups, but his solo run has taken him everywhere from world tours to the top tiers of fashion, with Louis Vuitton naming him a House Ambassador in 2024.
More than an idol, he’s become a distinctly Southeast Asian force on the world stage.
26. Bright Vachirawit
After ‘2gether’ made him a regional phenomenon, Bright quickly moved into bigger screens and bigger rooms, becoming Burberry’s first South Asia-Pacific global ambassador and Calvin Klein’s first Thai male ambassador in Asia.
His influence now stretches beyond entertainment, from his own ASTRO Stuffs label to Cloud9 Entertainment, the agency he founded to take Thai talent to a wider audience.
25. Rabin Angeles
Rabin Angeles went from nearly walking away from acting to becoming one of Filipino entertainment’s fastest-rising young stars.
His breakout as Yuri Hanamitchi in ‘Ang Mutya ng Section E’ turned him into a Gen Z favorite, but 2026 has pushed him into bigger territory, from leading ‘Seducing Drake Palma’ to taking on the demanding title role in ‘A Werewolf Boy.’
24. Amir Ahnaf
Amir Ahnaf made his name as Kahar in ‘Projek: High Council,’ a performance that quickly established him as one of the country’s young actors to watch before he reprised the role in ‘Kahar: Kapla High Council,’ his first film as a leading man.
Now starring in the 2026 action film ‘Tarung: Unforgiven’ and returning as Kahar in the Astro Shaw Cinematic Universe, he is moving well beyond his breakout character and into Malaysia’s next era of leading men.
23. Gulf Kanawut
Gulf has gone from Thai screen heartthrob to one of Southeast Asia’s most visible names.
After breaking out in ‘TharnType,’ the actor and singer has built a growing career across television, music, and fashion, with Gucci naming him its first Thai male brand ambassador in 2024.
22. Brent Manalo
Brent Mana,o has turned a historic ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ win into a fast-moving career of his own.
Already a model, actor, and fashion-focused content creator before entering the house, he became one half of the first-ever Kapamilya-Kapuso Big Winner duo alongside Mika Salamanca, then quickly moved into bigger acting projects.
With his fashion influence now earning him a 2026 award and a growing slate of screen work, Brent is proving that his PBB moment was only the beginning
21. Gemini Norawit
After ‘My School President’ put him on the regional map, Gemini expanded his profile through dramas, while his fashion presence grew just as quickly.
In 2026, Chanel named him a brand ambassador, adding Paris Fashion Week and a Cannes Film Festival appearance to an already rising fashion resume.
At just 21, he is proving that his appeal stretches well beyond the screen, with a crossover power fashion houses are betting on across Asia.
20. Jefri Nichol
Jefri has spent the better part of a decade proving he’s more than Indonesia’s resident bad boy.
His breakout in ‘Dear Nathan’ made him a household name, but roles in ‘Ali Topan’ and ‘True Stalker’ have pushed him into darker and more demanding territory.
With an Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Actor already under his belt and a growing presence in fashion, Nichol has become one of Indonesia’s most versatile screen stars, equally at home playing the romantic lead, the antihero, or something far harder to define.
19. Meerqeen
Meerqeen has turned Malaysian star status into serious regional currency.
His breakout as Firdaus in ‘Melur Untuk Firdaus’ made him a household name, but his influence has since moved well beyond the screen, with Tiffany & Co. naming him its first Malaysian Friend of the House and YSL Beauty making him its first Malaysian ambassador.
In 2026, he fronted YSL Beauty’s first-ever Eid campaign alongside stars from Indonesia and Turkey, putting him firmly in the conversation as one of Malaysia’s most visible faces.
18. Fourth Nattawat
Fourth has grown from a breakout BL star into one of Thailand’s most promising young multi-hyphenates.
‘My School President’ put him and Gemini Norawit on the regional map, but he has since built a lane of his own through solo music, his Numone clothing label, and a fashion profile that includes a Tommy Hilfiger ambassadorship.
With international concerts and major acting projects like ‘Scarlet Heart Thailand,’ Fourth is proving there’s much more to his rise than the hit pairing that started it all.
17. Nicholas Saputra
Nicholas Saputra has spent more than two decades turning movie-star status into cultural currency.
His breakout as Rangga in ‘Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?’ made him an Indonesian heartthrob, but acclaimed performances in ‘Janji Joni’ and ‘Aruna & Lidahnya’ established him as one of the country’s most respected actors, earning him two Citra wins.
Even after all these years, his name still carries cultural weight few Indonesian stars can match.
16. Pond Naravit
Pond Naravit is becoming one of Thailand’s recognizable young faces both on and off screen.
After breaking out in ‘Fish Upon the Sky’ and building a devoted following in ‘Never Let Me Go’ and ‘We Are’, he has steadily expanded into music and fashion.
In 2026, Pond became a Tommy Hilfiger brand ambassador and the Southeast Asian face of Versace Fragrance, while high-profile appearances at Prada’s Milan shows have cemented his growing fashion credentials.
15. Mile Phakphum
Mile Phakphum’s turn as Kinn opposite Apo Nattawin made him a global Thai star, but ‘Man Suang’ pushed him into period cinema and onto the international stage at Cannes, proving he could carry a film beyond the BL world.
Off screen, his fashion profile has grown just as quickly, with Dior naming him as brand ambassador. Now balancting acting, music, and fashion, Mile has become one of Thailand’s most recognizable exports.
14. Apo Nattawin
Apo Nattawin has become one of Thailand’s most sought-after names in fashion, with a profile that increasingly stands on its own.
Beyond his success on screen, the actor has built serious fashion credentials with Dior and Piaget, while his front-row appearances and campaigns have made him a regular fixture in the international fashion circuit.
13. Hun Haqeem
Hun Haqeem is making a strong case for Malaysia’s next wave of leading men.
After breaking out in ‘Kampung People,’ the Sarawak-born actor has steadily moved into more demanding terriroty, from his acclaimed turn in ‘Mandul Bukan Pilihan’ and his big-screen debut as Soloz in ‘Soloz: Game of Life.’
His rise has also caught the attention of fashion, with Emporio Armani naming him its first Malaysian fragrance ambassador.
12. Archen Aydin
Born in Bangkok but raised in Turkey for a decade, Archen returned home to launch his career, breaking through with ‘2 Moons 2’ before taking on roles in ‘Star & Sky’ and ‘The Heart Killers.’
With a global upbringing and and a growing presence in both fashion and pop culture, the actor, model, and singer is building a profile that feels distinctly his own.
11. Piolo Pascual
Piolo Pascual has spent nearly three decades proving that staying power is its own form of star power.
From his early heartthrob years to award-winning turns in ‘The Kingdom’ and ‘Manila’s Finest,’ he has kept evolving without losing the mainstreat pull that made him a household name.
For a star who has been in the game since the ’90s, Piolo remains remarkably current.
10. Ayden Sng
Ayden is taking Singaporean star power into a much bigger arena.
After building his name through local dramas, the actor made the leap into Chinese-language productions, with ‘Double Helix’ becoming his biggest international breakthrough yet and putting his acting firmly in the spotlight.
Now based between Singapore and Beijing, Ayden is spending much of his time in China while expanding into music, fashion, and voice acting, including a role in the Annecy-winning animated film ‘The Violinist.’
9. Jericho Rosales
Jericho Rosales is showing why longevity matters.
More than three decades into his career, the Filipino actor continues to take on roles that keep him at the center of the conversation, including his portrayal of a Philippine president in the 2025 historical epic ‘Quezon.’
Now starring in the international series ‘The Loyalty Game,’ Jericho continues to move between prestige film, mainstream television, and his own work as a producer.
8. Andres Muhlach
Andres is stepping into a famous surname and making it his own.
After breaking out as Mark Keifer in ‘Ang Mutya ng Section E’ and leading ‘Minamahal,’ the Filipino actor took on a full-circle challenge in 2026, playing Adie in ‘Bagets: The Musical,’ the same role that launched his father Aga Muhlach’s career in the original 1984 film.
Rather than simply inherit the family legacy, Andres is building his own resume across television, film, music, and now theater, proving he has more than the Muhlach name working in his favor.
07. Jes Jespipat
Sixteen years into his career, Jes is still finding new ways to keep audiences guessing.
The Thai actor has built an extensive resume across television, film, music, and modeling, but his turn as Dr. Tyme in ‘4MINUTES’ revealed a more magnetic side of his screen presence and introduced him to a new international audience.
With projects like ‘Dear My Secretary’ and ‘The Stain’ adding to his latest run, he is proving that longevity doesn’t have to mean playing it safe.
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