The “K-Brand Index,” regarded as a national brand index, is a big data system developed by the Asia Brand Research Institute in collaboration with researchers both domestically and internationally. This ranking includes multiple categories: boy groups, girl groups, individual artists, brands, and more. The K-Brand Index evaluates overall brand influence, meaning the media power and image of the subject on a broad scale.
Typically, big data systems only collect numerical data and calculate scores, without professional evaluation, but K-Brand Index is different. The process, from selecting candidate samples to filtering the final index, is based on verification by a panel of advisors in each field. This makes the index more accurate and reliable.
On the 11th of this month, the Asia Brand Research Institute announced the top 10 list for the individual boy group category of the K-Brand Index. Individuals from leading boy groups who were most searched across information portals were analyzed based on 372,661,121 pieces of big data collected from October 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025.
Notably, this round of K-Brand Index results officially reflects the “Stardom Index” — an index based on fandom votes, applied for the first time starting in October. It helps to reflect the actual brand influence in pop culture, distinguishing the truly active fanbase and improving the ability to predict trends and international popularity.
Within the top 10 of the individual boy group category, five members of BTS appeared, including RM, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Remarkably, surpαѕѕing all other top idols today, Jungkook ranked number 1, with high scores reflecting the popularity of his individual brand.
It is particularly notable that Jungkook has had almost no official music activities since being discharged from the military in June this year. Moreover, he had undergone two years of activity hiatus due to military service. Yet, it is evident that his popularity and reputation have not declined; in fact, he continues to dominate the K-pop industry, cementing his title as the “Golden Maknae.”
The fact that five out of seven BTS members are included in the top 10 of the K-Brand Index once again demonstrates the leading position of these K-pop superstars, even during their group hiatus. Last year, even though BTS had nearly frozen all group activities, they still held second place in the Idol Group category of the K-Brand Index.
Naturally, industry experts have never underestimated BTS’s position. As early as the end of last year, experts had set high expectations and predictions for the enormous influence and value BTS would bring when the group returns to activities in 2026.
Following the latest K-Brand Index results, fans flooded social media with pride and congratulations for the boys:
- Congratulations Jungkook. His influence and popularity continue to remain at the highest level - truly a global star
- Jungkook was also highlighted as a Top Hallyu leader and one of the most valuable korean stars. So proud of our Golden Maknae
- Jungkook proves that true power is being kind, even when you have the whole world at your feet. I love him.
- He's a man with everything, popularity, singing, dancing, wealth, and appearance.
- So proud of our boys! Congratulations, BTS! The Legend
- Five members in the top 10! Absolutely deserved. BTS is the main pillar of Kpop
- Our Golden Maknae reigns supreme! Congrats Jungkook
- BTS always slays! Proud ARMY moment
- Congrats to RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook! You guys earned it
- This is what happens when legends stay legendary! BTS forever
