Ranking lists can feel predictable, but this month’s actor chart has a proper race at the top. Song Kang kept his crown, but only just, and a surprise jump in second place made things interesting.
How the Rankings Work?
The Korean Business Research Institute released the October rankings. It analysed media coverage, participation, interaction and community indexes for 100 actors who appeared in dramas, movies or OTT content released between September 20 and October 20, as reported by Soompi.
Song Kang: The Top 5
| Rank | Actor | Brand Reputation Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Song Kang | 4,334,353 |
| 2 | Koo Kyo Hwan | 4,292,276 |
| 3 | Seo Kang Jun | 4,095,556 |
| 4 | Lee Jun Young | 4,053,331 |
| 5 | Kim Ji Won | 3,697,922 |
The Story Behind the Numbers
Song Kang continues his reign. He holds first place again this month. But his lead over second place is only about 42,000 points, which is a tiny gap at this scale.
Koo Kyo Hwan shot up to second. He was the big mover of the month, and he’s now close enough to challenge for the top spot next time.
Seo Kang Jun and Lee Jun Young are neck and neck. Seo Kang Jun, currently starring in “A Love Other Than Yours,” took third. Lee Jun Young sits right behind him in fourth, with another gap of roughly 42,000 points.
Kim Ji Won rounds out the top five. The “Doctor X” star finished fifth, though there is a clear gap between her and the actors above her.
Who Else Made the Top 10?
Kim You Jung came in sixth, followed by Roh Jae Won, Lee Seo Jin, Kim Young Kwang and Go Youn Jung in places seven to ten. Shin Min Ah, Ji Chang Wook, Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin also appear further down the top 30, which shows how wide the mix of generations is on this list.
What These Rankings Really Tell Us?
A brand reputation index isn’t a measure of acting talent. It reflects how much people are talking about, engaging with and searching for an actor during a specific window. That’s why newer projects can lift names quickly, and why the same names can slip when the buzz moves on.
Still, the chart is a handy snapshot of who’s trending in Korean drama right now. If you’re deciding what to watch next, the top 5 is a solid place to start.
Want more like this? Check out our latest entertainment updates and our trending stories for more rankings and releases.
Conclusion
The most interesting part of this list isn’t the winner. It’s the margins. Two separate gaps of about 42,000 points mean the top four could shuffle around next month with a single popular episode or film. If you like watching a close race, keep an eye on this chart.
FAQs
Q1. Who ranked first in October’s actor brand reputation rankings?
Song Kang took first place with an index of 4,334,353. Koo Kyo Hwan was second with 4,292,276.
Q2. How are these rankings calculated?
They analyse media coverage, participation, interaction and community indexes for 100 actors. Only dramas, movies or OTT content released between September 20 and October 20 are counted.
