In a seismic shift in the K-Pop landscape, SEVENTEEN has achieved a historic feat by dethroning the iconic BTS from the top spot in the Brand Reputation Rankings. The January 2024 rankings, released by the Korea Brand Reputation Research Institute, mark the first time in five years that BTS, comprised of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, has been ousted from their coveted #1 position.
SEVENTEEN, a thirteen-member group featuring S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino, now holds the top position, signaling a new era in K-Pop. The second position in this monumental shift is secured by NCT, another rising K-Pop powerhouse boasting an impressive 26 members divided into various sub-units.
BTS had previously maintained their reign at the pinnacle for an astonishing 67 months, solidifying their global status with a massive fanbase known as ARMY. However, the January 2024 rankings reveal a change in power dynamics, indicating the increasing influence of newer entrants in the industry.
SEVENTEEN’s Meteoric Rise: Breaking Records and Shaping K-Pop’s New Horizon
The catalyst for this transformation appears to be SEVENTEEN’s exceptional success in album sales, with their mini album released last year playing a pivotal role in their surge in popularity. Reports indicate that SEVENTEEN achieved remarkable sales, surpassing the 10 million mark from January to November 2023. This accomplishment not only solidifies their position but also surpasses BTS’ previous record of 5.03 million units sold during the Map of the Soul: 7 era.
One standout achievement for SEVENTEEN is their smash-hit album FML, which not only dominated the charts but also exceeded the pre-order numbers set by BTS’ 2019 album, Map of the Soul: PERSONA, by an estimated one million copies during its first week of release.
As fans and industry insiders grapple with this unexpected turn of events, the overall rankings now stand as follows: SEVENTEEN, NCT, BTS, RIIZE, ZEROBASEONE, THE BOYZ, Stray Kids, EXO, SHINee, ASTRO, ATEEZ, Super Junior, TVXQ, BTOB, and BOYNEXTDOOR. This shake-up in the rankings adds a layer of anticipation to the K-Pop scene, prompting questions about the potential impact on BTS and the evolving dynamics within the industry. As SEVENTEEN emerges as a new force, K-Pop enthusiasts eagerly await the response from both camps, setting the stage for a compelling chapter in the world of Korean pop music.
