BTS reclaims top spot in January K-Pop brand reputation rankings

BTS remains on top

• BTS tops star brand reputation rankings with a 62.84 percent jump from December
• Yoo Jae Suk, Lim Young Woong, IVE, and BLACKPINK round out the top five
• Fan engagement and media coverage saw a notable rise in January 2026

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BTS are once again reminding everyone why they sit at the very top of the K-pop world.

Just ahead of their much-awaited full-group comeback, the global supergroup has claimed the number one spot in the latest star brand reputation rankings, proving that public interest in them is stronger than ever.

The rankings were released by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, which analysed a staggering 279,006,497 pieces of star brand big data collected between 29 December 2025 and 29 January 2026.

This marked a notable 24.13 per cent increase compared to the previous month, showing a clear rise in fan engagement, media coverage, and online conversation across the entertainment industry.

BTS topped the list with a brand reputation index of 10,625,128, a sharp 62.84 per cent jump from December.

The group scored strongly across all key indicators, including participation, media exposure, communication, and community engagement.

Coming in second was beloved television personality Yoo Jae Suk, whose reputation index rose dramatically to 7,315,283 — more than double his December score. His steady popularity and trusted public image have once again translated into impressive results.

Singer Lim Young Woong secured third place with a reputation index of 7,240,227, showing consistent growth and reaffirming his strong bond with fans. His appeal across age groups continues to make him one of Korea’s most dependable chart-toppers.

Also Read: BTS become first Asian act to sell over 2 Million tour tickets

In fourth place, rising girl group IVE recorded a brand reputation index of 7,117,488, reflecting a significant increase from the previous month. Their growing influence and active engagement with fans have clearly paid off.

Rounding out the top five was BLACKPINK, who achieved a brand reputation index of 6,329,284. Even as the members focus on individual projects, the group’s collective brand power remains undeniable.