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BTS reclaims top spot from SEVENTEEN on May K-pop boy group brand rankings for 3rd month in row; know full list
TS stays on top for the third month in a row in May’s K-pop rankings! SEVENTEEN takes 2nd place on the list. Check out the full list here.
No group promotions. No new music. Most members are still in the military. And yet, BTS has taken the #1 spot in the Korea Brand Reputation Index’s K-pop boy group rankings for May 2025. This marks their third month in a row at the top—a rare achievement that proves their unstoppable brand power.
While most artists fade during mandatory military enlistment, BTS is doing the opposite. They’re not just surviving—they’re thriving. Powered by an unwavering global fanbase and years of impact, BTS continues to lead the conversation in K-pop, even without physically being part of it.
According to the Korea Brand Reputation Index, which measured data between April 10 and May 10, 2025, BTS earned a whopping 7,811,108 brand points, placing them well ahead of the competition. The rankings take into account fan engagement, media exposure, community interaction, and public buzz—categories where BTS remains a giant.
SEVENTEEN, who dominated earlier in the year, placed second with 5,729,258 points, followed by Big Bang in third place with 3,381,072 points—a nod to their enduring legacy.
Here are the top 30 K-pop boy groups in terms of brand value for May 2025:
1. BTS
2. SEVENTEEN
3. Big Bang
4. TWS
5. The Boyz
6. EXO
7. SHINee
8. Super Junior
9. ENHYPEN
10. NCT
11. Stray Kids
12. BTOB
13. ZEROBASEONE
14. ATEEZ
15. ASTRO
16. INFINITE
17. Highlight
18. BOYNEXTDOOR
19. MONSTA X
20. Wanna One
21. 2PM
22. TVXQ
23. RIIZE
24. TREASURE
25. B1A4
26. TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)
27. ONF
28. FT Island
29. VIXX
30. Pentagon
This continued dominance adds even more momentum to what’s coming next—the full reunion. BTS’ military chapter began in December 2022, when Jin became the first to enlist. One by one, the other members followed. The final member, Suga, is scheduled to complete his service by June 2025. RM and V will be discharged on June 10, 2025, with Jungkook and Jimin following the next day, on June 11. Once they’re all back, the seven will finally reunite, ready to begin a brand new chapter together.
And the numbers make one thing very clear: the world is more than ready for BTS’ return. They've kept their crown even in their absence—imagine what happens when they're back in action. Three months at the top with no promotions? That’s not hype. That’s history.
ALSO READ: BTS defends its top spot as most popular group of April as SEVENTEEN and IVE follow; Know top 10
