The Korean Business Research Institute has released its latest drama actor brand reputation rankings for August 2026. Nam Joo Hyuk secured the number one spot, marking a strong return to the spotlight following his military discharge.
The rankings were announced on August 18, 2026, and are based on an analysis of 94,218,667 pieces of big data collected from July 18 to August 18, 2026. The institute evaluated 100 actors who appeared in dramas during this period, measuring consumer participation, media coverage, communication, and community activity.
Nam Joo Hyuk topped the list with a brand reputation index of 3,782,247. His return to the screen through the Netflix series “The East Palace” (also known as “Donggung”) played a major role in his high ranking. This marked his first drama project since completing his military service and his first new series in approximately three years.
How the Rankings Are Calculated
The Korean Business Research Institute determines these rankings through a detailed analysis of brand big data. The process involves measuring four key areas: participation index, media index, communication index, and community index. These factors are combined using a brand reputation algorithm to produce the final score.
The total volume of big data for this month’s analysis was 94,218,667, which represents a 3.73% decrease compared to July’s 97,869,180. Despite the slight drop in overall data volume, the rankings still reflect strong public interest in drama actors.
Nam Joo Hyuk’s Strong Comeback
Nam Joo Hyuk recorded a positive reaction rate of 91.42% in the positivity-negativity analysis. This high percentage indicates that the public response to his recent activities has been overwhelmingly favorable.
According to the institute’s director, Koo Chang Hwan, the link analysis for Nam Joo Hyuk showed high-ranking words such as “solid,” “warm,” and “donate”. His keyword analysis prominently featured “The East Palace,” “Roh Yoon Seo,” and “Code”. These keywords reflect his recent drama project and his co-star, as well as other related activities.
Nam Joo Hyuk recently returned to viewers through the Netflix series “The East Palace”. The project marked his first drama release following his military discharge and his first new series in approximately three years since Disney+’s “Vigilante”.
The Top Five Actors
Namkoong Min secured the second position with a brand reputation index of 3,028,022. He most recently starred in the drama “The Husband”.
Yoon Kyung Ho ranked third with a score of 2,940,121. He is known for his role in “Agent Kim Reactivated”.
So Ji Sub followed in fourth place with a brand reputation index of 2,723,464.
Kong Hyo Jin rounded out the top five with a score of 2,667,244. She is currently starring in “A Bona Fide Killer”.
Full Top 30 Rankings for August 2026
The complete list of the top 30 drama actors for August 2026 is as follows:
- Nam Joo Hyuk
- Namkoong Min
- Yoon Kyung Ho
- So Ji Sub
- Kong Hyo Jin
- Kim Min Ha
- Kim Moo Yul
- Kim Hye Soo
- Jung Jun Won
- Kim Hye Jun
- Ji Sung
- Roh Yoon Seo
- Park Ji Hyun
- Choi Dae Hoon
- Joo Sang Wook
- Lee Dong Wook
- Park Eun Bin
- Lee Sung Min
- Kim Go Eun
- Seo In Guk
- Yang Se Jong
- Cho Seung Woo
- Son Na Eun
- Cho Yeo Jeong
- Kim Ji Hoon
- Hwang In Youp
- Jung Hae In
- Ahn Hee Yeon (EXID’s Hani)
- Lee Min Ho
- Ahn Bo Hyun
What This Ranking Means for the Actors
The brand reputation ranking is an important metric in the Korean entertainment industry. It reflects not only an actor’s popularity but also their media presence, public engagement, and overall influence. A high ranking can lead to more endorsement deals, casting opportunities, and increased public interest in their projects.
For Nam Joo Hyuk, this number one ranking confirms that his comeback has been well-received by the public. His role in “The East Palace” has clearly resonated with viewers, generating significant buzz and positive reactions. The 91.42% positive response rate is particularly impressive and suggests that audiences are eager to see more of him.
Namkoong Min and Yoon Kyung Ho also maintained strong positions in the top three, demonstrating their continued relevance and popularity. So Ji Sub and Kong Hyo Jin rounding out the top five shows that established actors remain highly influential in the drama landscape.
The presence of actors like Kim Min Ha, Park Eun Bin, and Lee Dong Wook in the top 20 highlights the competitive nature of the industry and the diverse range of talent currently active in Korean dramas.
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Context and Significance
These rankings come at a time when the Korean drama industry is experiencing a period of strong growth and global recognition. The increasing international popularity of K-dramas has amplified the importance of these brand reputation metrics, as they now reflect not just domestic but also global interest.
The data for this analysis was collected during a period that included the releases of several notable dramas. “The East Palace,” featuring Nam Joo Hyuk, was a major talking point, as it marked his return to acting. Other popular dramas like “A Shop for Killers 2” and “Spooky in Love” also contributed to the buzz around various actors.
The rankings serve as a barometer for the industry, helping production companies, advertisers, and fans understand which actors are currently generating the most interest and engagement.
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