57 Months of Proof: Why Jimin Never Stopped Being #1 in Idol Brand Reputation
BTS Jimin achieved 57 consecutive months at #1 in the February 2026 idol individual brand reputation analysis. The brand reputation index surged 29.62% month-over-month, once again proving the global fandom's mobilization power ahead of the March 21 Gwanghwamun comeback.
57 months. This number is not just a record. Since the Korea Corporate Reputation Institute began tracking idol individual brand reputation in December 2018, Jimin has never once relinquished the top spot.
TL;DR
- BTS Jimin, #1 in February 2026 Idol Individual Brand Reputation — 57 consecutive months, all-time record of 32 times
- Brand reputation index surged 29.62% month-over-month (January 4,142,149 → sharp rise in February)
- Also ranked #1 in boy group individual brand reputation; BTS Jimin and Jungkook swept positions #1 and #2 among all idols
- BLACKPINK Jennie ranked #3 overall
- March 21 Gwanghwamun BTS ARIRANG comeback driving brand power to its peak
The Facts: What Happened
On February 24, 2026, the Korea Corporate Reputation Institute released its idol individual brand reputation results, based on 31 days of big data analysis from January 24 to February 24. The outcome was as expected. BTS Jimin ranked #1, Jungkook #2, and BLACKPINK Jennie #3.
In Jimin's brand keyword analysis, 'romantic,' 'breakthrough,' 'record' topped the link analysis rankings. All four sub-indices — media, communication, community, and social contribution — showed consistently high scores.
In the separate boy group individual brand reputation ranking, Jimin placed #1, Jungkook #2, and Jin #3, with BTS members completely dominating the top tier.
The Mechanism: Why Did It Explode Right Now?
A Leading Indicator of the Comeback Effect
The 29.62% surge in the brand reputation index cannot be explained by fan activity alone. Three structural factors converged.
- Anticipation of full-group activities after military discharge — Following all BTS members' discharge in 2025, solo and unit activities drove fan engagement sharply higher, with pre-mobilization accelerating ahead of the March 2026 5th full-length album ARIRANG comeback at Gwanghwamun.
- Consecutive Spotify streaming records — In mid-February, Jimin's 'WHO' surpassed 2.3 billion streams, the first ever by an Asian artist, boosting the media index significantly.
- Organized global fandom voting and streaming campaigns — Hashtags such as #JiminBrandRep1stCongrats and #JIMIN57MonthsBrandRep1st simultaneously trended in Korean real-time trends on X (Twitter) on February 24.
What 57 Months Means
This record goes beyond sheer fandom size. The brand reputation index comprehensively analyzes consumer behavioral data (search volume, community mentions, media coverage, SNS engagement). In other words, 57 consecutive months at #1 is proof of brand consistency that remains unshaken by any external variable.
Comparisons are hard to find. Given the rapid generational turnover in the Korean idol market, this record spanning 2019–2026 is effectively unprecedented.
Context and Background: What Is Brand Reputation?
The Korea Corporate Reputation Institute has provided big data analysis on domestic companies, individuals, and brands since the early 2010s. The idol individual brand reputation ranking launched in December 2018 and is calculated monthly based on approximately 31 days of data.
Index composition:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Participation Index | Direct fan participation, voting, and streaming activity |
| Media Index | Volume and quality of press coverage |
| Communication Index | SNS interactions and hashtag activity |
| Community Index | Online community mentions and positive/negative ratio |
Jimin is particularly strong in the Communication Index and Community Index. ARMY's (BTS fandom) organized digital campaign capabilities are the core driver steadily lifting the index every month.
Stakeholder Analysis
BIGHIT MUSIC (HYBE) — BTS's agency is directly linking Jimin's brand dominance to maximizing the value of individual albums and content IP. It aligns with the marketing timing designed to peak 'brand heat' ahead of the March ARIRANG comeback and world tour.
Competing idol groups — BLACKPINK Jennie maintained the top position among girl groups with an overall #3 ranking. With BLACKPINK's February 27 release of DEADLINE Mini Album Vol. 3, the competition for next month's rankings is expected to intensify.
Advertising and sponsorship market — Sustained #1 brand reputation translates directly into advertising rates. Jimin's consistent top ranking provides strong leverage in ambassador contract renewal negotiations with global luxury and beauty brands.
Outlook: How Long Can It Last?
- Short-term (March): The March 21 Gwanghwamun BTS ARIRANG comeback concert (estimated 260,000 attendees) is likely to drive a further surge in brand reputation. A March #1 finish is effectively guaranteed.
- Medium-term (H1 2026): As the ARIRANG world tour ramps up, global media index will rise further. Breaking 60 months (December 2026) is becoming a realistic possibility.
- Risks: A return of military service issues, inter-member relationship issues, or unexpected controversies could pull the index down. However, no visible risks are present at this time.