The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute’s December 2025 big-data update is out. And it’s sparking a fresh debate over who deserves the #1 spot among famous K-pop idols right now. The monthly data puts BTS on top overall, with IVE and SEVENTEEN next and BLACKPINK in fourth.
The analysis covers mid-November to mid-December and focuses on participation, media, communication, and community indices.
Brand-reputation rankings analyze big data around participation, media, communication, and community indices for each idol group.
BTS led December’s overall idol-group list at 6,221,966 and IVE topped the girl-group chart.
Top 30 breakdown (December 2025)
1) BTS
BTS took the top spot in the brand reputation rankings for both “Star Brands” and “Boy Groups”. The group’s score was about 6.2 million for overall stars and 6.8 million specifically for boy groups.
The group had a very high positive rating of 92.05%. People online used keywords like “award,” “Spotify,” and “full group.
2) IVE
Girl-group #1 at 5,579,470. Highlights included “Jang Wonyoung” and “Rebel Heart.”
3) SEVENTEEN
Strong participation and community indices kept them third overall.
4) BLACKPINK
Fourth overall and second among girl groups. A global brand that can outpace one-month domestic buzz.
5) EXO
Veteran fandom and steady media mentions sustained their index.
6) TWICE
Consistent engagement pushed them to sixth overall and fourth among girl groups.
7) Red Velvet
Fifth among girl groups, with solid media and community scores.
8) Stray Kids
Boy-group #2, up 33.50% month over month, driven by participation and media indices.
9) BIGBANG
Legacy name recognition continued to drive search and discussion.
10) MAMAMOO
Sixth among girl groups, supported by strong favorability.
11) Oh My Girl
Maintained steady engagement; eighth on the girl-group list.
12) ILLIT
Rookie momentum and digital chatter placed them seventh among girl groups.
13) aespa
High visibility from campaigns and member activities kept indices elevated.
14) ENHYPEN
Active fandom and consistent content supported participation scores.
15) BABYMONSTER
Ninth on the girl-group chart, with fast-rising mentions.
16) KiiiKiii
Tenth among girl groups, lifted by focused community chatter.
17) BTOB
Loyal fandom support stabilized month-to-month performance.
18) ATEEZ
High mobilization among fans kept participation and media indices strong.
19) CORTIS
Targeted fan activity helped generate a monthly spike.
20) MONSTA X
Steady media mentions and a durable fanbase maintained brand scores.
21) THE BOYZ
Organized fandom efforts showed up in participation metrics.
22) NMIXX
Concept talk and performance clips sustained online buzz.
23) Hearts2Hearts
Niche momentum and focused content supported search gains.
24) Super Junior
Evergreen recognition and TV presence kept visibility high.
25) LE SSERAFIM
Third on the girl-group ranking, backed by strong performance buzz.
26) TWS
Emerging act leveraging digital-first engagement for participation growth.
27) fromis_9
Consistent content and a loyal core fandom kept them charting.
28) ITZY
Dance-driven clips and youth appeal supported media traction.
29) Wanna One
Nostalgia and reunion chatter sparked periodic search surges.
30) NCT
A large, multi-unit system produces natural month-to-month swings.
