The Korean Business Research Institute has dropped its latest monthly rankings, and the results reveal some genuinely surprising movement in the K-pop hierarchy. Based on data collected from August 26 to September 26, these rankings measure media coverage, consumer engagement, interaction, and overall community awareness — making them one of the most closely watched indicators of an artist’s real-world brand equity in the industry.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Brand Reputation Rankings — September 2026
| Rank | Artist | Brand Index | Monthly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RESCENE | 9,587,604 | +11.78% |
| 2 | Lim Young Woong | 6,089,571 | +14.96% |
| 3 | BTS | 5,387,142 | — |
| 4 | ATEEZ | 4,183,730 | +19.87% |
| 5 | CORTIS | 3,962,039 | +13.52% |
RESCENE Holds Steady at the Top
For yet another month, RESCENE has retained the number one spot, and they’re not just holding on — they grew their index by nearly 12% since August. That kind of consistent upward trend suggests the group’s momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and they remain the clear benchmark other acts are chasing.
Big Movers This Month
Lim Young Woong made a strong jump to second place with a nearly 15% increase, showing his continued dominance in Korea’s trot and mainstream music scene. Meanwhile, ATEEZ posted the biggest percentage gain in the top five — a striking 19.87% rise — landing them at fourth place and signaling growing global fan engagement. CORTIS, a newer name in the mix, also posted a solid 13.52% increase to round out the top five.
BTS held steady at third place, a reminder that even without new comeback activity dominating headlines, the group’s brand strength remains remarkably resilient.
The Rest of the Top 30
Beyond the top five, familiar names like BIGBANG, BLACKPINK, ILLIT, SEVENTEEN, aespa, LE SSERAFIM, TWICE, IVE, and Stray Kids all made appearances further down the list, alongside soloists like PSY, IU, and Epik High — proof that both legacy acts and newer groups continue to hold strong cultural relevance.
For more K-pop rankings, chart updates, and idol news, check out the latest entertainment coverage on TechnoSports.
FAQs
Who topped the September 2026 singer brand reputation rankings?
RESCENE ranked first for another consecutive month.
Which artist had the biggest percentage increase in the top 5?
ATEEZ saw the largest jump, rising nearly 20% since August.
