Byeon Woo-seok Dominates: The May 2026 Actor Brand Reputation Rankings Are Out!

Hey K-drama fans! The results are officially in, and the "Sun-jae fever" is showing no signs of slowing down. On May 22, 2026, the Korean Business Research Institute revealed this…

By Reetam Bodhak

May 22, 2026

2 min read

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Hey K-drama fans! The results are officially in, and the “Sun-jae fever” is showing no signs of slowing down. On May 22, 2026, the Korean Business Research Institute revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for actors. This list is the ultimate popularity barometer in South Korea, and this month features a mix of rising heartthrobs and seasoned “acting gods” who are absolutely owning the spotlight.

May 2026 Actor Brand Reputation: Top 10

Rank	Actor Name	Key Project / Reason
1	Byeon Woo-seok	Lovely Runner Global Syndrome
2	Kim Hye-yoon	Lovely Runner Chemistry
3	Park Ji-hoon	The Legend of Kitchen Soldier Success
4	Kim Soo-hyun	Queen of Tears Longevity
5	Ma Dong-seok	The Roundup: Punishment Box Office
6	Ji Sung	The Lawless Announcement
7	Park Sang-min	Wedding Impossible Fame
8	Chae Won-bin	Sold Out on You Popularity
9	Lee Jae-wook	Military Enlistment News
10	Shin Min-ah	The Eyes Thriller Teaser

The “Sun-jae” Effect Takes Over

It’s no surprise that Byeon Woo-seok took the #1 spot with a massive lead. His portrayal of Ryu Sun-jae has sparked a cultural phenomenon, driving his participation and communication indices through the roof. Close behind is his co-star Kim Hye-yoon, proving that their onscreen synergy is the talk of the town.

Meanwhile, Park Ji-hoon climbed to the #3 spot thanks to the record-breaking ratings of his military comedy, The Legend of Kitchen Soldier. His transition from idol to “acting god” is officially complete!

Want to see more of the top performers? Check out our guide to the best Byeon Woo-seok K-dramas or stay updated with the latest K-drama news and ratings.

For a deeper look into how these rankings are calculated and their impact on the industry, visit the Korean Business Research Institute Wikipedia page.

Whether it’s the heart-fluttering romance of the “Sol-Sun” couple or the gritty thrills of new movie announcements, these actors are the definitive faces of Hallyu this May!