The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute has released its idol group brand reputation rankings for January 2026—and yes, the top three is a familiar sight. BTS stays at No. 1, with BLACKPINK at No. 2 and IVE at No. 3. This month’s analysis was based on 80.3 million pieces of brand big data collected from December 15, 2025, to January 15, 2026.
But here’s the wrinkle: the overall “idol group brand big data” volume actually fell 2.96% compared to last month. So January isn’t just about who made noise—it’s about who kept people talking even as the wider conversation cooled off.
How “Brand Reputation” Was Measured This Month
If you’re new to these lists, they don’t work like album charts or streaming rankings. The institute’s model typically combines consumer participation, media coverage, interaction/communication, and community awareness—pulled from online mentions, engagement patterns, and media exposure rather than purchases alone.
That’s why the order can feel different from what you’d expect during comeback week. Brand reputation is more about ongoing visibility and “conversation density” than one huge spike in sales or streams.
Top 10 Idol Group Brand Rankings (January 2026)
- 1) BTS
- 2) BLACKPINK
- 3) IVE
- 4) TWICE
- 5) SEVENTEEN
- 6) Stray Kids
- 7) aespa
- 8) (G)I-DLE
- 9) ENHYPEN
- 10) LE SSERAFIM
BTS at #1: Holding Steady While the Pool Shrinks
With the overall data pool down month-over-month, BTS staying at No. 1 reads less like a one-off bump and more like a baseline advantage. Even without a single defining “this week only” moment, they tend to keep a high level of media mentions and community activity—exactly the kind of signals this index rewards.
And in a quieter month, that matters. If the total conversation gets smaller, the group that maintains its share effectively looks even stronger.
BTS vs BLACKPINK Popularity: What #1 vs #2 Can (and Can’t) Tell You
The top two also underline an important point: this isn’t a direct scoreboard for sales, touring, or chart peaks. It’s a snapshot of attention and engagement across the tracked period.
Still, the separation can be interesting. BTS often show up with steady, wide conversation over time, while BLACKPINK can move the needle quickly when headlines hit. And according to breakdowns cited in coverage of the January index, BLACKPINK’s brand reputation score rose 40.48% month-over-month to 5,260,330—an eye-catching jump even while landing at No. 2.
IVE Brand Reputation at #3: Still in the Elite Tier
IVE holding the No. 3 spot keeps their “mainstream visibility” story intact, especially with veteran heavyweights filling out the rest of the top 10. Some reporting around the January release also notes a slight month-over-month dip for IVE, listing 4,698,168 (down 4.71%).
Now, small fluctuations like that happen all the time on these monthly charts. What stands out is the position: IVE remains firmly planted in the top tier.
What To Watch Next Heading Into February
If BLACKPINK’s momentum continues into the next tracking window, the gap at the top could tighten fast. And if IVE ramps up activity—or simply catches another big community wave—they have plenty of room to rebound.
With the overall dataset contracting by 2.96%, January’s biggest signal may be simple: the groups who held steady didn’t just “win”—they proved staying power.
Also, keep an eye on the middle of the top 10. TWICE, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, and aespa are the kind of groups that can shift rankings quickly when a new release, viral moment, or media cycle hits.
