BTS tops the brand reputation rankings, BLACKPINK is second
In a scene reflecting the global dominance of Korean pop music (K-Pop), the fierce competition between industry giants continued, with BTS the list of the most popular and influential singer brands, far ahead, while BLACKPINK made significant leaps that placed it in second place, according to the latest data released by the Korean Corporate Reputation Research Institute.
BTS sets records
Analytical data shows that BTS continues to reign supreme with exceptional performance indicators, achieving a total brand reputation index of 7,409,314 points. This figure resulted from compiling several precise sub-indicators, including:
- Participation index: 261,097
- Media Index: 927,857
- Communication Index: 2,545,645
- Community index: 3,674,716
These figures reflect not only the band's overwhelming popularity, but also its continued ability to generate massive engagement across digital platforms and traditional media.
A quantum leap for BLACKPINK
Meanwhile, BLACKPINK wasn't far behind, ranking second with a total reputation index of 6,213,487 points. Notably, the group saw tremendous growth compared to December, registering a 76.65% . Their breakdown of scores is as follows:
- Participation index: 148,866
- Media Index: 545,540
- Communication Index: 2,325,330
- Community index: 3,193,750
Global context and the impact of the “Korean wave”
These figures cannot be viewed in isolation from the global context and the impact of the "Hallyu," or Korean Wave, which has swept the world in the last decade. BTS and BLACKPINK are at the forefront of this cultural movement, having successfully broken down linguistic and geographical barriers and reached markets once dominated by Western artists, such as the United States and Europe. This rivalry strengthens South Korea's position as a global soft power, as these artists directly contribute to the Korean economy through tourism, sales, and the promotion of Korean culture.
Reasons for the lead and strong comeback
In analyzing this situation, Goo Chang-hwan, director of the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, explained the factors behind these results. He noted that BTS's brand dominance was driven by positive news surrounding the group's announcement of their full comeback and preparations for an upcoming world tour, which ignited the enthusiasm of their global fanbase, known as ARMY.
On the other hand, Hwan attributed BLACKPINK's second place to the overwhelming success of their pink-themed world tour, which received extensive media coverage and a large audience across different continents.
The remaining positions on the list
The list was not limited to these two groups, but also included other shining names in the Korean art scene:
- Third place: Singer Lim Young-woong, who continues to have a growing positive impact thanks to a very loyal local fan base.
- Fourth place: Artist Hwasa, who rose strongly after topping the local music charts with her solo works.
- Fifth place: IVE, who attracted attention by announcing their strong comeback in February.
Reputation Measurement Methodology
The Singer Brand Reputation Index is based on a rigorous scientific methodology that leverages Big Data analytics. Consumer behavior is monitored and analyzed using millions of data points related to music releases, press coverage, and social media engagement. This analysis aims to measure "engagement value," "communication value," "media value," and "community value," taking into account positive and negative engagement ratios, thus providing a comprehensive view of an artist's brand influence and strength in the market.
