The Korean Business Research Institute has released the brand reputation rankings for all idol groups for August 2026. The rankings are based on big data analysis of consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community awareness indexes. Data was collected from July 17 to August 17.
BTS Continues Their Winning Streak at Number One
BTS secured the top position with a brand reputation index of 7,107,645. This marks a 9.04 percent increase in their score compared to July. The group’s keyword analysis showed high-ranking phrases such as “ARMY,” “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG,” and “world tour.” Their highest-ranking related terms included “surpass,” “record,” and “boycott.” The group received an impressive 93.07 percent positive reaction score.
RESCENE Makes a Huge Leap to Second Place
The rookie group RESCENE came in second place with a brand reputation index of 7,045,802. This is a remarkable 40.50 percent rise in their score since July. RESCENE (members: Woni, Live, Minami, Mei, Jena) recorded a participation index of 1,319,080, media index of 1,226,672, communication index of 2,210,406, and community index of 2,289,643. Their brand reputation index in July was 5,014,734.
The group’s recent activities have contributed to their rise. On August 16, they won first place on SBS’s “Inkigayo” with the title track “LOVE ATTACK” from their first mini-album “SCENEDROME.” Their remake single “Pretty Girl” has also been performing well on various music charts.
IVE, SEVENTEEN, and TWICE Complete the Top Five
IVE took third place with a brand reputation index of 3,964,002. Their score increased by 32.23 percent compared to the previous month. IVE (members: Ahn Yujin, Ga-eul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, Lee Seo) had a participation index of 110,152, media index of 228,640, communication index of 1,129,076, and community index of 2,497,124.
SEVENTEEN ranked fourth with a brand reputation index of 3,718,069. TWICE rounded out the top five with a score of 3,591,890.
Full Top 30 Rankings for August 2026
The complete top 30 list for August includes a mix of veteran and rookie groups:
- BTS
- RESCENE
- IVE
- SEVENTEEN
- TWICE
- BLACKPINK
- CORTIS
- aespa
- Red Velvet
- ATEEZ
- ILLIT
- ENHYPEN
- BIGBANG
- Hearts2Hearts
- KiKi
- I.O.I
- Girls’ Generation
- fromis_9
- RIIZE
- NMIXX
- (G)I-DLE
- OH MY GIRL
- EXO
- SHINee
- Apink
- H1-KEY
- Super Junior
- Stray Kids
- BTOB
- IDENTITY
How the Rankings Are Determined
The Korean Business Research Institute analyzes brand big data to determine these rankings. For August, they extracted 115,388,244 pieces of brand data for idol groups. This is a 27.17 percent increase from the 90,733,805 pieces of data analyzed in July. The rankings are based on four main indexes: participation (consumer engagement), media coverage, communication (interaction), and community awareness.
BTS’s Brand Analysis Breakdown
BTS’s brand reputation index of 7,107,645 came from the following components:
- Participation Index: 183,848
- Media Index: 706,142
- Communication Index: 2,261,075
- Community Index: 3,956,580
RESCENE’s Impressive Growth
RESCENE’s brand reputation index of 7,045,802 was made up of:
- Participation Index: 1,319,080
- Media Index: 1,226,672
- Communication Index: 2,210,406
- Community Index: 2,289,643
The group’s 40.50 percent increase from July is the highest among the top ranks, showing their growing popularity and media presence.
What This Means for the Groups
These rankings reflect the public’s interest and engagement with each group. BTS continues to maintain a strong connection with their fans, as seen in their high community and communication indexes. RESCENE’s rapid rise shows they are gaining attention and building a solid fanbase. IVE, SEVENTEEN, and TWICE remain consistent in their popularity, securing spots in the top five.
The August rankings highlight the dynamic nature of the K-pop industry, where both established and newer groups compete for public attention. The significant increase in RESCENE’s score suggests they are a group to watch in the coming months.
Also Read: Grammys Rethink New Asian Pop Category After BTS Refuses to Submit Music for 2027 Awards
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