September Boy Group Brand Reputation Rankings: BTS Reigns Supreme as BIGBANG Stuns With a Massive Comeback

K-pop's biggest boy groups just got ranked, and the numbers tell a story of loyalty, comebacks, and one legendary group refusing to slow down. The Korean Business Research Institute has…

By Reetam Bodhak

September 12, 2026

3 min read

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K-pop’s biggest boy groups just got ranked, and the numbers tell a story of loyalty, comebacks, and one legendary group refusing to slow down. The Korean Business Research Institute has dropped its September brand reputation rankings, analyzing consumer engagement, media buzz, and community chatter from August 12 to September 12 — and the results are packed with surprises.

Top 5 Boy Groups: September Rankings

Rank	Group	Brand Reputation Index	Change vs August
1	BTS	6,633,651	Maintained No. 1
2	BIGBANG	4,162,542	+103.60%
3	ATEEZ	3,980,128	+48.59%
4	CORTIS	3,655,034	+45.45%
5	SEVENTEEN	3,529,483	+65.74%

BTS Stays Untouchable at the Top

Once again, BTS proves why they remain K-pop royalty. With a staggering index of 6,633,651, the group’s dominance is fueled by their “ARIRANG” comeback buzz, ARMY’s unwavering support, and excitement around their North American tour. Their positivity score hit an impressive 93.91%, driven by keywords like “record,” “sold out,” and “long run” — proof that BTS isn’t just trending, they’re breaking records while doing it.

BIGBANG’s Massive Comeback Jump

The real headline this month belongs to BIGBANG, whose brand reputation index more than doubled with a jaw-dropping 103.60% increase, catapulting them straight to second place. It’s a powerful reminder that legacy groups can still dominate conversations when the timing — and the comeback — is right.

ATEEZ, CORTIS, and SEVENTEEN Round Out the Top 5

ATEEZ secured third place with a solid 48.59% jump, showing their global fanbase’s engagement continues to grow steadily. CORTIS impressed at fourth with a 45.45% rise, while SEVENTEEN rounded out the top five with the biggest percentage jump among the group — a striking 65.74% increase, likely boosted by their variety show buzz.

The Full Top 30 at a Glance

Beyond the top five, familiar names like Stray Kids, TVXQ, NCT, EXO, and SHINee continue to hold strong positions, alongside rising acts like RIIZE, TWS, and ZEROBASEONE, showing the boy group landscape remains fiercely competitive across generations.

These rankings are based on a well-established methodology used across the Korean entertainment industry. Learn more about how such brand reputation analysis works and why it matters for measuring public perception.

For more K-pop rankings, comeback news, and idol updates, head over to TechnoSports — your go-to hub for everything trending.