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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider Survey: BTS, BLACKPINK, Lee Min-ho, Ryan Bang among top 10 who give positive impact on Korea's image

Survey: BTS, BLACKPINK, Lee Min-ho, Ryan Bang among top 10 who give positive impact on Korea's image

Published Jan 23, 2026 12:11 pm
(Clockwise from top left) BTS, Son Heung-min, BLACPINK, Lee Min-ho, Korean President Lee Jae-myung and comedian Ryan Bang (Instagram, Facebook, Big Hit Music, MYM)
(Clockwise from top left) BTS, Son Heung-min, BLACPINK, Lee Min-ho, Korean President Lee Jae-myung and comedian Ryan Bang (Instagram, Facebook, Big Hit Music, MYM)

K-pop boy band BTS, BLACKPINK, Lee Min-ho, President Lee Jae-myung and Philippines-based comedian Ryan Bang made it to the top 10 list of Koreans who gave a positive impact on South Korea’s image in 2025. 

This was the result of the 2025 South Korea National Image Survey conducted by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST). 

The survey was done from Oct. 1 to 31 last year in 25 countries with 12,500 respondents or 500 respondents per each country. 

These were in the Philippines, Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Australia, US, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, UK, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Sweden, Spain, UAE, Egypt and South Africa. 

A separate survey with 500 respondents was also done in South Korea.

The survey was done to analyze the world’s perception of Korea in major countries and observe future changes to improve the country’s national image. 

The overall favorability rating for South Korean in 2025 was 82.3 percent, an increase of 3.3 percentage points from 79 percent in 2024. 

The countries that liked South Korea the most were the United Arab Emirates (No. 1, 94.8 percent), followed by Egypt (No. 2, 94 percent), the Philippines (No. 3, 91.4 percent), and Turkey (No. 4, 90.2 percent) and India (No. 5, 89 percent). 

The survey also asked the 12,500 respondents in 25 countries to name Koreans who had a positive impact on Korea’s image. 

Based on the results, BTS became the most cited Korean who had a positive impact. 

Overall, BTS took first place with 7.9 percent, followed by football star Son Heung-min, K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, actor Lee Min-ho, and idol groups and singers in general. Lisa, a Thai member of BLACKPINK, ranked 10th. 

Here are the top 10 Koreans who had a positive impact on Korea’s image in 2025 based on a survey in 25 countries:

1. BTS (K-pop group) - 7.9%

2. Son Heung-min (football player) - 5.8% 

3. BLACKPINK (K-pop group) - 4.7% 

4. Lee Min-ho (actor) - 4.3% 

5. K-pop idol groups, singers - 3.6% 

6. BTS’ Jungkook - 2.5% 

7. Lee Jae-myung (South Korea’s president) - 1.9% 

8. President/leader - 1.9% 

9. Ryan Bang (comedian based in the Philippines) - 1.9% 

10. BLACKPINK’s Lisa (Thai member) - 1.9%

(Clockwise from top right) BTS, BLACPINK, Korean President Lee Jae-myung, BLACKPINK's Lisa, BTS' Jungkook, Ryan Bang, Lee Min-ho and Son Heung-min (Big Hit Music, Instagram, Facebook)
(Clockwise from top right) BTS, BLACPINK, Korean President Lee Jae-myung, BLACKPINK's Lisa, BTS' Jungkook, Ryan Bang, Lee Min-ho and Son Heung-min (Big Hit Music, Instagram, Facebook)

The overall mainly used video service channels based on 8,048 respondents in 25 countries are: 

1. YouTube - 77.4% 

2. Netflix - 65.1% 

3. Amazon Prime (Prime Video) - 27.8%

4. Disney+ - (19.4%) 

5. Viu - 8.5% 

6. Apple TV - 8.1%

7. iQiyi - 7.4% 

8. Viki - 4.7% 

9. Youku - 4.6% 

10. Hanju TV - 4.1% 

Overall mainly used social media channels based on 7,078 respondents in 25 countries: 

1. Instagram - 63.7%

2. TikTok - 56.2%

3. Facebook - 53.6%

4. X (formerly Twitter) - 28.7%

5. WhatsApp - 23.9%

6. Telegram - 14.3%

7. WeChat - 6.6%

8. Threads - 5.7%

9. Viber - 2.4%

10. Others - 3%

Philippines 

Results per country showed a mix of personalities that gave a positive impact on South Korea’s image. 

In the survey in the Philippines, the results showed Ryan Bang and 2NE1’s Sandara Park grabbing the first two places. 

Ryan Bang took first place with 46.2 percent followed by Sandara Park in second place with 41.2 percent. 

Dancer and entertainer Dasuri Choi came third with 10.4 percent, followed by Lee Min-ho with 8.8 percent and BLACKPINK with 6.2 percent. 

Top 10 Koreans who gave positive impact on South Korea’s image in 2025 based on a survey in the Philippines 

1. Ryan Bang (comedian) - 46.2%

2. Sandara Park (K-pop idol, actress) - 41.2% 

3. Dasuri Choi (dancer, entertainer) - 10.4%

4. Lee Min-ho (actor) 8.8% 

5. BLACKPINK (K-pop group) - 6.2%

6. Jessica Lee (vlogger) - 6.2% 

7. BTS (K-pop group) - 6.2% 

8. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo (K-pop idol, actress) - 4.4% 

9. IU (singer, actress) - 3.8% 

10. Seo In-guk (singer, actor) - 3.4%

(Clockwise from top) Sandara Park and Ryan Bang, Dasuri Choi, Lee Min-ho and BLACKPINK (Instagram)
(Clockwise from top) Sandara Park and Ryan Bang, Dasuri Choi, Lee Min-ho and BLACKPINK (Instagram)
(Clockwise from top) BTS, Jessica Lee, IU, Seo In-guk and BLACKPINK's Jisoo (Big Hit Music, Instagram)
(Clockwise from top) BTS, Jessica Lee, IU, Seo In-guk and BLACKPINK's Jisoo (Big Hit Music, Instagram)
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