Park Ji Hoon Holds the Top, BTS Sweeps Positions 2–8

The Korean Business Research Institute has unveiled its April brand reputation rankings for individual boy group members, with Wanna One's Park Ji Hoon retaining the top spot. The rankings were compiled using big data collected between March 18 and April 18, covering 755 members across consumer participation, media coverage, communication, and community awareness indexes.

Park Ji Hoon posted a brand reputation index of 14,004,945, a 7.77% increase from the previous month. Top keywords in his analysis included 'The King's Warden,' 'RE:FLECT,' and 'Bodyelse,' while related terms such as 'return,' 'release,' and 'hold' ranked highly. His positivity rating came in at 93.51%.

BTS's Return Reflected in the Numbers

The most striking development this month is the sweeping surge of BTS members. Jimin held second place with 11,644,101 points, while Jungkook shot up 227.64% to third with 9,151,873 points. Jin climbed 143.27% to fourth with 8,755,472 points, and RM surged an extraordinary 512.32% to fifth place with 7,123,773 points.

Beyond the top five, V, Suga, and j-hope also appeared in the top 30, meaning all seven BTS members were represented — an extraordinary show of collective brand strength from a single group.

Brand Reputation Index as a K-Pop Industry Barometer

The Korean Business Research Institute's monthly rankings have become a recognized measure of fan engagement and media reach within the K-pop industry. Unlike simple popularity polls, the index aggregates consumer behavior data and online community activity, making it a reference tool for brands and agencies evaluating partnership opportunities.

The dramatic spike among BTS members is widely attributed to the staggered return of members from mandatory military service and the resumption of solo activities. RM's 512% surge, in particular, is seen as a direct reflection of concentrated fan activity during the data collection window coinciding with new releases or public appearances.

Full Top 30 Rankings

1. Park Ji Hoon (Wanna One), 2. Jimin (BTS), 3. Jungkook (BTS), 4. Jin (BTS), 5. RM (BTS), 6. V (BTS), 7. Suga (BTS), 8. j-hope (BTS), 9. G-Dragon (BIGBANG), 10. Kim Jae Hwan (Wanna One), 11. Minho (SHINee), 12. Hwang Minhyun (NU'EST/Wanna One), 13. Kang Daniel (Wanna One), 14. Heeseung (ENHYPEN), 15. Baekhyun (EXO), 16. Song Mino (WINNER), 17. Key (SHINee), 18. Ong Seong Wu (Wanna One), 19. Kim Heechul (Super Junior), 20. Jun (SEVENTEEN), 21. New (THE BOYZ), 22. Yoon Doojoon (HIGHLIGHT), 23. Lee Seung Hoon (WINNER), 24. Choi Siwon (Super Junior), 25. Kyuhyun (Super Junior), 26. Taeyang (BIGBANG), 27. Wonbin (RIIZE), 28. Taemin (SHINee), 29. Kai (EXO), 30. Yunho (TVXQ).