BTS Still Reigns Supreme: Tops K-Pop Boy Group Brand Rankings Despite Military Hiatus
Despite being on a military hiatus, BTS continues to dominate the K-Pop scene, proving their enduring power and the unwavering support of their global fanbase, ARMY. The Korean Business Research Institute has announced the latest brand reputation rankings for male idol groups, and BTS has secured the top spot for May, marking their third consecutive month at the summit.
The rankings are based on an analysis of consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community indexes, using big data collected from April 10 to May 10. BTS garnered a brand reputation index of 7,811,108, a 2.54 percent increase from April. High-ranking phrases in their keyword analysis included members' names like "Jin," "Jimin," and "Jungkook," demonstrating the individual popularity of each member. Related terms like "prove," "sold out," and "support" further highlighted their continued success and impact.
Following BTS, SEVENTEEN maintained their strong position at second place with a brand reputation index of 5,729,258. BIGBANG climbed to third place with 3,381,072. Notably, TWS experienced a significant surge, jumping to fourth place with an impressive 85.77 percent increase in their brand reputation index, bringing their total to 3,135,194. THE BOYZ rounded out the top five with a score of 2,819,185.
The remaining top 30 include:
EXO, SHINee, Super Junior, ENHYPEN, NCT, Stray Kids, BTOB, ZEROBASEONE, ATEEZ, ASTRO, INFINITE, HIGHLIGHT, BOYNEXTDOOR, MONSTA X, Wanna One, 2PM, TVXQ, RIIZE, TREASURE, B1A4, TXT, ONF, FTISLAND, VIXX, and PENTAGON.
This achievement is especially remarkable considering that most BTS members are currently serving in the military. Jin was the first to enlist in December 2022, followed by the other members throughout 2023. As the discharge dates for members like RM, V, Jungkook, and Jimin are quickly approaching in June, anticipation is building for the group's full reunion. Suga is expected to finish his service by June 2025 as well.
In an interview with Apple Music 1’s Zane Low, Jhope shared his excitement about the upcoming reunion, stating, "We will quickly get together and talk about what BTS can do in the future. I think it’s going to be a massive energy."
BTS's ability to maintain their dominance despite their absence underscores their global impact and the dedication of ARMY. Their continued success sets a high bar within the K-Pop industry and solidifies their legacy as a cultural phenomenon.
What are your thoughts on BTS's continued success? What are you most excited to see from them when they reunite? Share your predictions and comments below!