Is the visual the most popular member in most groups

That would be the face of the group I think

Most cases the visual is

Maybe in Korea! but not internatioally all the time!

Quote from hueningkaiskai

just something i noticed like tzuyu and irene

Most of the time yes see Sakura from Izone but not always compare Jisoo from BP

(and I assume you're talking about official visuals not just idols who also happen to be visuals)

Seen popularity results it is odd the visual is also the most popular. Visual compared to talent or personality the visual still wins out.

no, the official visual (which is a dumb position anyway) isn't always, especially in boy groups.

but visuals play an important role in popularity anyway.

so most popular members are usually visuals, and/or they're especially popular for personality/performance skills. And still conventionally attractive if they're not in the visual line.

Quote from hueningkaiskai

yeah thats why i said most groups

im sure jisoo's rep would increase after snowdrop

I hope the GP treat her drama and acting well - they generally have a harsh attitude towards idol actors

Most of the time but not in all cases

I actually feel like most visuals get pushed to the side by fans, especially since most fandoms now are internationally driven. The FOTG/centers are more popular.

No, it depends on the way the members are promoted.

ok let me try answer the actual question:

visuals in kpop is not different to pretty people in real life or other pretty people in different entertainment circles around the world.

there's certain statistics that show pretty people get better treatment in life.

11 scientific reasons why attractive people are more successful in life | Business Insider

So why shouldn't it be any different in kpop, in a lot of groups the visual is the first thing that catches your eye even before the first note is sung or instrument played.

In real life (ceteris paribus) we would prefer a pretty partner to a less pretty one

not always. the guy in my dp and Jimin are the most popular members in BTS even though they aren't visuals.

the members with best visuals are the most popular yes

Usually the visuals will attract the public and consequently sponsorship and ads companies more and their popularity just snowball from there. However, there are cases that other members are more popular or were more popular for some period (as popularity isn't static). Of course this is for top groups.

For mid/low tier groups, if the titular visual isn't popular with the public, other members could become the most popular one within the fandom and public through variety shows.

it could be like that in some cases but i think it's mostly the center or face of the group

not always, isn't jin BTS visual and he's not most popular? jisoo is BP visual and most popular is Lisa