Artist Who Topped February’s Brand Rankings Over BLACKPINK and Lim Young-woong

IVE has taken the No.1 spot in February's singer brand reputation rankings, surpassing Lim Young-woong and BLACKPINK.

On February 22, the Korean Business Research Institute released its latest rankings, which were determined based on consumer behavior data—including participation, communication, media, and community value—collected since January 22. No.1 spot has been claimed by none other than IVE!

Starship Entertainment's IVE, a six-member girl group consisting of Gaeul, Jang Wonyoung, An Yujin, Rei, Leeseo, and Liz, debuted in 2021 with ELEVEN and quickly became a dominant force in K-pop. Since their debut, the group captured massive attention, solidifying their status as one of Korea’s leading girl groups today.

A major factor behind IVE’s early success was the presence of Jang Wonyoung and An Yujin, who gained significant recognition prior to their debut. Both members competed on Mnet’s 2018 survival audition program Produce 48 and secured spots in IZ*ONE, the temporary project group formed from the show. Thanks to their established fame and loyal fan base, the transition to IVE was seamless, setting the group up for instant success.

Since ELEVEN, IVE has consistently dominated the charts with hits like After LIKE, LOVE DIVE, and REBEL HEART, proving their staying power in the industry.

Coming in at No.2 is trot sensation Lim Young-woong, who saw an impressive 34.44% increase in his brand reputation index compared to January. Lim first rose to fame in 2020 after winning the hit trot survival show 'Mr. Trot.' His music resonated with fans across generations, earning him a devoted following from both younger audiences and the 40s-50s demographic.

In 2021, Lim made history by topping music show charts with his song 'My Starry Love', a rare feat for a trot singer in an industry typically dominated by K-pop idols. His success helped usher in a new trot wave, reviving the genre’s mainstream appeal.

Landing at No.3 is BLACKPINK, the powerhouse girl group under YG Entertainment. Since their explosive debut in 2016 with Whistle and BOOMBAYAH, BLACKPINK has become one of the biggest global music acts. Their group name—combining "Black" to contrast the typical association of "Pink" with beauty—symbolizes their edgy and unexpected image, a theme reflected in their music and performances.

With their distinct concept and undeniable talent, BLACKPINK has amassed the highest number of YouTube subscribers among all artists worldwide, further cementing their global influence.

Following closely behind in the rankings, BTS and SEVENTEEN secured the No.4 and No.5 spots, respectively.