BLACKPINK has reclaimed the number one spot in the July 2025 Star Brand Reputation Rankings, surpassing Lim Young Woong and BTS. The ranking, released by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, analyzed over 253 million data points from June 29 to July 29, 2025.
The girl group’s brand reputation score skyrocketed by 127% compared to June, reaching 11,448,025 points. Their ongoing world tour and strong music chart performances contributed to this massive surge. Meanwhile, trot singer Lim Young Woong secured second place with 7,619,247 points, while BTS ranked third with 7,265,521 points, a 32.39% drop from last month.
How the Rankings Were Determined
The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute measures star rankings based on:
- Media presence (news articles, TV appearances)
- Fan engagement (social media buzz, online discussions)
- Public interest (search trends, community interactions)
- Brand influence (advertising impact, consumer behavior)
Compared to June 2025, the total buzz around celebrities decreased by 11.91%, with brand consumption dropping the most at 19.01%. Despite this, some stars like BLACKPINK and PSY saw significant growth.
BLACKPINK’s Dominance in July 2025
BLACKPINK (Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, Lisa) dominated the rankings due to their BORN PINK World Tour, which continues to draw massive crowds globally. Their latest single also performed well on music charts, keeping them in the spotlight.
“BLACKPINK jumped to No. 1 with help from their world tour and strong music performance.” — Koo Chang Hwan, Director of Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute
Fans, known as Blinks, actively supported the group online, leading to high engagement scores. The members’ individual activities, including fashion endorsements and solo projects, also boosted their reputation.
Lim Young Woong Holds Strong at No. 2
Trot sensation Lim Young Woong maintained his position at second place with a steady fanbase, Hero Generation. His consistent chart performance and charitable donations helped him stay near the top.
“Lim Young Woong held steady thanks to his fans and good deeds.” — Koo Chang Hwan
Despite not releasing new music recently, his loyal supporters kept him trending through fan events and social media engagement.
BTS Drops to Third Place
BTS, who previously held top positions, fell to third place this month. The group’s brand score decreased by 32.39%, likely due to their ongoing military enlistments. However, fans (ARMY) remain highly active online, anticipating their full group comeback in 2025.
“BTS still makes headlines as people wait for their full return after military service.” — Koo Chang Hwan
With members Jin, J-Hope, and Suga already discharged, and others set to return soon, excitement is building for their next chapter.
Other Notable Rankings
- PSY climbed to fourth place (7,178,263 points, up 56.39%) thanks to his popular “Soaking Show” summer concerts.
- Yoo Jae Suk, South Korea’s favorite TV host, ranked fifth (6,624,016 points).
- Rising actor Chu Young Woo entered the top 10, showing growing popularity.
Full Top 30 Star Rankings for July 2025
- BLACKPINK
- Lim Young Woong
- BTS
- PSY
- Yoo Jae Suk
- Chu Young Woo
- Lee Jung Jae
- IVE
- Lee Soo Ji
- Son Heung Min
- SEVENTEEN
- TWICE
- Lee Byung Hun
- Park Bo Gum
- Cha Eun Woo
- Lee Jung Hoo
- Ryu Hyun Jin
- Faker
- Kim Jong Min
- Kim Jong Kook
- Red Velvet
- Lee Chan Won
- Young Tak
- Park Bo Young
- Park Seo Joon
- DAY6
- Son Suk Ku
- Park Jin Young
- Kim Dong Hyun
- Lee Jong Suk
The rankings highlight how fan engagement, media presence, and public activities influence star reputations. While overall buzz declined in July, top stars like BLACKPINK proved their global dominance.
Also read: BLACKPINK Shuts Down AI Rumors With Behind-The-Scenes Footage From JUMP Music Video
Credits: Data sourced from Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, July 2025.
