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BTS tops K-Brand Index as global influence, fandom power remain unmatched

Entertainment | Hallyuwood

BTS tops K-Brand Index as global influence, fandom power remain unmatched

By Jonathan Hicap

BTS and IVE (X)

BTS and IVE (X)

The result comes as little surprise, with BTS securing the top spot in the latest K-Brand Index rankings released by the Seoul-based Asia Brand Research Institute.

The institute’s K-Brand Index is a big data system designed to measure brand value using multiple indicators, including trend performance, media exposure, social engagement, positive and negative sentiment, community activity, and AI-based analysis.

For the K-pop group category, the rankings were based on an extensive analysis of 4.8 billion online data points, covering search volumes from major portal sites between May 1 and May 31.

BTS led the list with 176 points, reinforcing their dominant position in the global K-pop landscape. They were followed closely by IVE (174 points), RIIZE (154), aespa (149), BLACKPINK (149), ILLIT (137), TWICE (134), Stray Kids (134), Cortis (129), and Big Bang (123).

According to Ryu Won-sun, head of the institute’s Research Center, the K-pop industry has evolved far beyond music sales and digital charts, becoming a full-scale cultural ecosystem driven by global fandoms, performances, content, and platform influence. He added that an artist’s worldview, fan community, and digital presence now play a major role in determining brand value.

The report further emphasized that BTS ranking first reflects their unmatched global fandom, cultural impact, and enduring symbolism in the industry.

The K-Brand Index's top 10 K-pop groups (Photo from Asia Brand Research Institute website)

The K-Brand Index's top 10 K-pop groups (Photo from Asia Brand Research Institute website)

Related Tags

BTS IVE K-Brand Index Aespa Cortis TWICE ILLIT Big Bang RIIZE BLACKPINK Stray Kids KPOP

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