BTS has secured the top position in the February boy group brand reputation rankings, according to data analyzed by the Korean Business Research Institute and the Korea Enterprise Reputation Research Institute. The group achieved a brand reputation index of 9,903,378. This marks a notable increase, with one report indicating a 24.16 percent rise in their score compared to January.
Data Collection and Analysis
The rankings are based on an extensive collection of data concerning boy groups, spanning periods from January 7 to February 7, 2026. The analysis involved examining 60,890,349 pieces of boy group-related data. Key metrics used in the assessment include consumer participation, media activity, communication, and community engagement.
February 2026 Data Period: January 7 - February 7, 2026
Total Data Points: 60,890,349
Analysis Institutes: Korean Business Research Institute, Korea Enterprise Reputation Research Institute
Key Metrics: Participation, Media, Communication, Community
Top Performing Groups
BTS is consistently reported as the leader in the February rankings. Following BTS, Stray Kids secured the second position with a brand reputation index of 3,674,527, reflecting a 3.40 percent increase from the previous month. EXO is noted in third place, with a brand reputation index of 3,469,533.
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First Place: BTS (9,903,378)
Second Place: Stray Kids (3,674,527)
Third Place: EXO (3,469,533)
Significant Ranks
BIGBANG is listed in fourth place with a brand reputation index of 2,372,782, showing a 13.08 percent increase from January. SEVENTEEN rounds out the top five, achieving a brand reputation index of 2,321,728. While one report places SEVENTEEN at the top for February's rankings with 5,418,828 points, others align them within the top five of the presented data.
| Rank | Group | Brand Reputation Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | BTS | 9,903,378 | Significant increase from January |
| 2nd | Stray Kids | 3,674,527 | 3.40% increase from last month |
| 3rd | EXO | 3,469,533 | |
| 4th | BIGBANG | 2,372,782 | 13.08% increase from January |
| 5th | SEVENTEEN | 2,321,728 | Ranked 1st in one report with different metric |
Breakdown of Indices
Detailed analysis of BTS's brand reputation index reveals contributions across various components. Their participation index stands at 147,412, media index at 1,786,972, communication index at 3,361,084, and community index at 4,607,910. Similarly, Stray Kids' index is comprised of a participation index of 66,171, media index of 979,631, communication index of 742,335, and community index of 1,886,389. EXO's data shows a participation index of 126,520, media index of 742,318, communication index of 976,620, and community index of 1,624,075.
Divergent Rankings
A review of available data indicates some variance in reported rankings and specific figures. One source suggests that SEVENTEEN occupied the first position for three consecutive months leading into February, with a distinct score of 5,418,828 for February. This report also lists TWS among the top five. The overall volume of boy group brand big data recorded in January was 62,649,153, showing a 24.72 percent decrease compared to the February figures.
Conclusion and Implications
The February 2026 brand reputation rankings confirm BTS's sustained prominence among K-pop boy groups. The data illustrates significant engagement across media, communication, and community platforms for the leading groups. The differing reports on SEVENTEEN's first-place standing in one instance, versus its fifth-place ranking in others based on a higher overall index, warrants further examination to ascertain methodological differences. The overall decrease in total brand big data from January to February may suggest a shifting trend in public engagement or data collection parameters.
Sources:
K-POP NEWSWIRE: https://kpopnewswire.com/top-boy-groups-in-february-2026-bts-stray-kids-exo-and-more/
This article provides an overview of the top K-pop boy groups for February 2026, listing BTS, Stray Kids, EXO, and BIGBANG with their respective brand reputation indices, and citing the Korea Enterprise Reputation Research Institute.
Soompi: https://www.soompi.com/article/1817781wpp/february-boy-group-brand-reputation-rankings-announced-8
This report details the February boy group brand reputation rankings as revealed by the Korean Business Research Institute, confirming BTS's leading position and noting increases for BTS, BIGBANG, and Stray Kids.
Pannchoa: https://www.pannchoa.net/brand-reputation-rankings-for-boy-groups-in-february-have-been-announced/
This source reiterates the findings of the Korean Business Research Institute regarding the February rankings, focusing on BTS, BIGBANG, and Stray Kids' positions and score changes.
Starnewskorea: https://www.starnewskorea.com/en/music/2026/02/07/2026020708354594354/
This article provides a granular breakdown of the brand reputation indices for the top-ranked boy groups, including detailed participation, media, communication, and community index figures for BTS, Stray Kids, EXO, and BIGBANG.
Kpop Post: https://kpoppost.com/february-2025-top-50-kpop-boy-group-brand-reputation-rankings/
This report presents the February 2025 rankings, stating SEVENTEEN ranked first for the third consecutive month and listing SEVENTEEN, BTS, and Stray Kids in the top 5, noting a decrease in total brand big data from January.
This article announces the February brand value rankings from BRI (Brand Reputation Index) Korea, placing SEVENTEEN at the top and providing a list of the top 30 K-pop boy groups. Note the stated year is 2025, which contrasts with other articles indicating 2026.
Music Mundial: https://www.musicmundial.com/en/top-10-k-pop-boy-groups-dominating-brand-rankings-in-february-with-stray-kids-and-seventeen/
This article highlights top K-pop boy groups in February brand rankings, mentioning Stray Kids and SEVENTEEN prominently and discussing EXO's sustained brand power.
