BTS paves the way in star brand reputation rankings despite group hiatus — here's who follows
Since 2022, there has been no group release from BTS. The seven members — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook — enlisted in South Korea's mandatory military service but kept their fandom, known as ARMY, engaged through solo releases. Despite the hiatus, it seems there's no stopping the world's top boy group.
The Korean Business Research Institute recently published its star brand reputation rankings for the month of April, and unsurprisingly, BTS made an appearance — and even topped the list. The rankings were based on an analysis of media coverage, consumer engagement, interactions, and community awareness, using big data collected between March 29 and April 29.
BTS
The global superstars took the top spot this month with a brand reputation index of 8,639,155, marking a 19.99 percent increase in their score since March. They are expected to reunite as a group in June, and ARMY is eagerly anticipating their comeback.
Lim Young Woong
The solo artist took second place with a brand reputation index of 7,846,690, reflecting a 12.99 percent rise since last month. Known for his massive and dedicated fanbase, the trot singer tends to dominate the charts for weeks whenever he releases new music.
BLACKPINK
The four-member girl group — Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa — climbed to third place with a brand reputation index of 6,184,452 for April. They are also set to make a comeback soon, as YG Entertainment has already announced their upcoming world tour dates.
Lee Jung Hoo
The baseball star is sitting on the fourth place after securing 101.75 percent increase in his brand reputation index. This brought his total to 6,049,222 for the month of April. As a center fielder, he has been actively playing for the San Francisco Giants.
BIGBANG
The second-generation group ranked fifth with a brand reputation index of 6,045,322. Originally a five-piece, they now have three active members — G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung — who have each been releasing solo music for quite some time.
Check out the other artists that made the cut
6. IVE
7. Son Heung Min
8. Lee Byung Hun
9. Yoo Jae Suk
10. SEVENTEEN
11. Park Hyung Sik
12. Kim Yeon Koung
13. Son Suk Ku
14. Ryu Hyun Jin
15. Kim Jong Min
16. aespa
17. PSY
18. Kim Jong Kook
19. ASTRO's Cha Eun Woo
20. Choo Sung Hoon
21. Kang Daniel
22. SHINee
23. Lee Chan Won
24. (G)I-DLE
25. Kim Do Yeong
26. Lee Jung Jae
27. Byeon Woo Seok
28. OH MY GIRL
29. NCT
30. Go Youn Jung
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
It's party time for city's BTS ARMYs
It's a special weekend for Mumbai's BTS ARMYs as they celebrate 12 years of the K-pop group today, along with the completion of military service of four group members, RM, V, Jungkook and Jimin. Fans across the city have organised special events, with activities and games that everyone can join in. 'I've always loved exploring the creative side of our fandom' Entrepreneur Sayali Kamble is organising a BTS-themed workshop at a cafe in Andheri, where fans can journal memories of BTS music videos and style photocards of their favourite member. Sayali shares, 'As an artistic BTS ARMY, I've always loved exploring the creative side of our fandom — from journaling and polco deco to picket decoration. BTS has inspired me, they are the reason I did not give up on my dreams. I always found warmth in their songs, when things got tough. ' 'I am eager to connect with other BTS fans' There are activities planned across the city at restaurants and cafes. For those looking to attend concert screenings, sing along at karaoke and hoping to win some merchandise, a three-day celebration is taking place at a restaurant in Lower Parel. Fans are looking forward to interact with each other too. Riya Sawant, a college student, says, 'I am eager to connect with other ARMYs, create memories and share our favourite moments of the band members. With four members coming back from military enlistment and festa (annual event celebrating BTS's debut) today, it's party time!' Mumbai ARMYs can look forward to an exciting day filled with concert screenings, fun games, photobooth zones, exclusive BTS merch stalls, authentic Korean food, and much more. We are celebrating BTS, their journey, and the fandom's unwavering love at a Powai restaurant — Ayushre A Tari , founder of a Mumbai-based BTS fanclub Pics: Tejas Kudtarkar Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Jungkook and Jin confirmed to perform at J-Hope's final concert ahead of the full group reunion? ARMY call it BTS Festa 2025 gift
To everyone celebrating, Happy BTS Festa 2025! As the group marks its 12th anniversary, the festivities are already off to a powerful start with six out of seven members officially discharged from military service. Adding to the excitement, J-Hope's world tour HOPE ON THE StAGE finale is set to take place today (June 13) at Goyang Stadium in South Korea, coinciding with FESTA celebrations. And just when ARMY thought the day couldn't get any better, pictures of Jin and Jungkook at the venue—seemingly doing a mic check—have gone viral online. The duo was seen on stage just hours before the show, fueling intense speculation that they might be performing tonight. Fans are calling it the ultimate Festa gift, and the possibility of a mini-reunion has made this anniversary even more exciting. Jin and Jungkook to join J-Hope's final concert? J-Hope is set to wrap up his Hope on the Stage tour during BTS Festa 2025, marking the group's 12th anniversary with a grand finale. While rumours of other members joining the concert have been circulating for weeks, excitement has reached new heights as viral images suggest Jin and Jungkook might take the stage alongside him. The images show Jin and Jungkook during mic check rehearsals for the concert. Jin is seen in a white sweatshirt, holding a mic close with a focused expression, while Jungkook appears mid-rehearsal in a black cap that reads 'MAKE YOUTH RIGHT AGAIN,' singing into the mic with in-ear monitors on. Both are on stage just hours before the concert, fueling speculation of a surprise performance and sending ARMY into full excitement mode. SEOKJIN AND JUNGKOOK GONNA PERFORM ON HOTS FINAL WITH JHOPE And it's not edited.... ARMYs react to Jikook's rumoured performance Fans on X are losing their minds over the possibility of a surprise Jinkook performance, flooding social media with emotional posts and theories. Many are calling it the ultimate BTS Festa 2025 gift they never saw coming. "Please don't toy with my fragile heart," one fan wrote. Another added, "Oh my goodness, Jungkook with Seokjin and J-Hope and J-Hope's final concert today!" LOOK AT THEM!! My beloveds." SEOKJIN AND JUNGKOOK GONNA PERFORM ON HOTS FINAL WITH JHOPE One even suggested, "IT MEANS THAT WE WILL HAVE 'I WONDER' FOR THE FIRST TIME..." JHOPE FT. JUNGKOOK." ITS MEAN THAT WE WILL HAVE 'I WONDER' FOR THE FIRST TIME... JHOPE FT. JUNGKOOK #JUNGKOOK #WelcomeHomeJungkook #jinkook #JHOPE #HOPE_ON_THE_STAGE_TOUR_FINAL #FESTA2025 #BTSARMY "I'm nervous. OMG, Jinkook reunion! I waited for this moment for 3 years," one ARMY wrote. ITS MEAN THAT WE WILL HAVE 'I WONDER' FOR THE FIRST TIME... JHOPE FT. JUNGKOOK #JUNGKOOK #WelcomeHomeJungkook #jinkook #JHOPE #HOPE_ON_THE_STAGE_TOUR_FINAL #FESTA2025 #BTSARMY However, some fans raised doubts, speculating the photos might be AI-generated since the live viewing doesn't begin until 7 PM KST, yet the images started circulating much earlier. This has sparked debate online, with others insisting they're from a private soundcheck. I think jinkook photos are edited because the live viewing starts at 7PM but the pics have the live viewing logo on the left for some reason… Meanwhile, fans are hopeful that more BTS members will make surprise appearances at J-Hope's concert. With six of them now discharged, many believe a mini-reunion could be on the cards. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Ballerina: John Wick's world isn't just bullets—It's packed with money lessons too
The world of John Wick is not complete without The Continental, Charon (the inimitable Lance Reddick) and the Manager Winston Scott (the ever so awesome Ian McShane), but we begin with a little girl hiding in a secret passageway behind the bookshelf, clutching a present from her father - a music box where a ballerina dances to Tchaikovsky's beloved tune from Swan Lake. She watches her father fight fierce assassins and the awful man who has come to separate her father and her. She is rescued by Winston Scott who hands her over to Ruska Roma headed by the once beautiful Angelica Huston who is now plain scary. She trains ballerinas - girls who are trained in dance so they can be limber as assassins. This little girl is Eve Maccaro and the training in ballet and the subsequent fights are straight out of every action movie genre where the ordinary hero trains to fight the villain. So you demolish your popcorn and samosas to 'Fight Like a Girl' (Evanescence feat. K-Flay) plays endlessly. Yes, she avenges her father's death and yes, we are rewarded for sitting through a predictable action film by John Wick who makes a grudging appearance. What money lessons do we learn from this tale of revenge? Ballet emphasizes structure, precision and a focus on technique. Anna Pavlova, Margaret Fonteyn, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolph Nureyev are unforgettable stars who made perfection look easy. In the film the Ruska Roma are a fierce group of Roma Gypsies based in Germany who have a seat at 'the Table'. John Wick has been a member of the group. Eve Maccaro is put through practice sessions to achieve perfection. Sharon Duncan Brewster plays one of the trainers who tells Eve: You lose because you allow him (her opponent) to control the narrative. You are a girl, so fight like one. Align conservative ballet to your investment style and you will be investing in low-risk assets like bonds and stable dividend stocks. That's because you want predictable returns rather than high growth. Contemporary ballet incorporates a broader range of movements and interpretations. As an investor in growth stocks you focus on emerging markets, aiming at substantial returns although at a higher risk. After all, Eve actually drives up to the Austrian village of Hallstatt, she knows nothing about and adapts to fighting in an unknown terrain and making the most of it. As soon as her training is over and she begins to earn as a protector, she knows that she has to get that lifelong revenge she wants. She uses her coin at the Continental and then at the armory to get information. The fight at Frank's gun shop reminds you of how you educated yourself about emerging markets before you invested your hard earned money in the high risk, high reward venture. When Eve drives into Hallstatt, she knows she has a fight on her hands, but with every adult resident? Woah! Eve has to use every hammer, dinner plate, vase, chair, door within her reach to kill or maim the cult members who have been ordered to eliminate the 'outsider'. Whether it is in the coffee shop, the kitchen, the armory, or the tunnels underneath the village, Eve uses everything she gets her hands on in the fight at the end. You might shake your head at the water vs. fire as if you were watching a Hollywood version of Brahmastra, but you chuckle when the two women hit each other with plates. Modern ballet is a blend of elements from different ballet styles. As you adjust your portfolio based on the market conditions and changing circumstances, you too are mirroring the modern ballet. Eve Macarro develops a distinct personality through the film. She is so focussed in her endeavor to kill the man who killed her father, even the dangerous Baba Yaga is persuaded to give her until midnight to get her job done. Even though the village is filled to the gills with trained assassins, their chancellor (played by Gabriel Byrne) realises that Eve cannot be controlled and asks Ruska Roma to send in someone to stop her. You will be reminded of Bond villain Blofeld who plays with a white cat when you see the Chancellor pet his black dog when he says, 'Let the wolf kill his prey.' As an investor, when you discover undervalued assets with a potential for future growth, you are like, value investing. Whatever your investing style is, I hope you will be inspired by Ballerina and practice your technique, learn to be flexible, because market conditions change and you have to adjust your strategy much like a dancer who adjusts their movement during a performance. Investing is a long-term process and it is important to enjoy the learning and growth along the way, just as a dancer enjoys the process of mastering their craft. Of course, don't be so carried away by the blood being spilled on the screen that you render your samosa uneatable by dousing them in ketchup. Manisha Lakhe is a poet, film critic, traveller, founder of Caferati — an online writer's forum, hosts Mumbai's oldest open mic, and teaches advertising, films and communication. She can be reached on Twitter at @manishalakhe.
