Every month, Korea’s ad industry gets a reality check — and this September’s brand reputation rankings just delivered one of the more interesting shake-ups in recent memory. While the top spot stayed exactly where fans expected, the real story is who’s climbing fast behind it.
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BTS Still Reigns, and the Numbers Prove Why
The Korean Business Research Institute compiled this month’s rankings using consumer behavior data collected between August 3 and September 3, evaluating participation, communication, media presence, and social values to calculate each star’s brand reputation index.
BTS once again topped the list, posting a brand reputation index of 3,932,230 — a strong 10.70% increase from August. Keyword analysis around the group featured terms like “ARMY,” “ARIRANG,” and “Billboard,” while sentiment analysis showed a striking 93.09% positive reaction rate. It’s a reminder that even years into their run, BTS’s cultural pull hasn’t slowed down.
The Real Surprise: RESCENE’s Massive Leap
While BTS holding the top spot isn’t shocking, RESCENE’s jump to second place is the number everyone’s talking about. The group saw their brand reputation index skyrocket by 118.01%, pushing their total score to 3,427,885 for September — nearly doubling their previous standing in a single month.
Rounding out the top five: Lim Young Woong took third with 1,648,327 points, Yu Jae Seok landed fourth at 1,473,244, and IVE secured fifth place with 1,367,588.
September 2026 Top 5 Brand Reputation Rankings
| Rank | Name | Brand Reputation Index | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BTS | 3,932,230 | +10.70% |
| 2 | RESCENE | 3,427,885 | +118.01% |
| 3 | Lim Young Woong | 1,648,327 | — |
| 4 | Yu Jae Seok | 1,473,244 | — |
| 5 | IVE | 1,367,588 | — |
Why These Rankings Actually Matter
Brand reputation rankings aren’t just a popularity contest — they directly influence which celebrities land major endorsement deals, how brands allocate marketing budgets, and which stars dominate advertising campaigns in the months ahead. A jump like RESCENE’s often signals a breakout moment that brands take note of quickly, meaning fans could see the group popping up in far more ad campaigns soon.
For BTS, sustained dominance at this level reflects not just fan loyalty but broader public sentiment — something advertisers value even more than raw popularity, since it suggests lower brand risk and wider appeal.
Curious how these rankings shift month to month, or want to track your favorite idol’s growth? Check out our latest K-pop industry updates and celebrity brand ranking trackers on TechnoSports.
FAQs
1. How are these brand reputation rankings calculated?
The Korean Business Research Institute analyzes consumer data on participation, communication, media, and social values over a one-month period.
2. Why did RESCENE’s ranking jump so dramatically?
Their brand reputation index rose by 118.01% this month, reflecting a sharp increase in public engagement and positive sentiment.
