Park Ji-hoon Tops February 2026 Rising Star Brand Reputation Rankings

In the February 2026 analysis of Rising Star Brand Reputation by the Korean Business Reputation Research Institute, Park Ji-hoon secured the top spot, followed by WOODZ and Stray Kids.

The institute analyzed 84,028,008 pieces of big data from January 28 to February 28, 2026, to measure consumer behavior towards star brands, including participation, media, communication, and community indices. Compared to January's 84,359,456 pieces of data, there was a 0.39% decrease.

The brand reputation index is a metric derived from analyzing big data to understand how consumer online habits impact brand consumption. The analysis measures consumer relationships, positive and negative evaluations, media interest, and communication volume with rising star brands. The detailed indices include category consumption weights.

The analysis covers various categories such as entertainers, singers, trot singers, drama actors, movie actors, boy groups, girl groups, sports stars, advertising models, and rookie idols. It identifies brands with rapidly increasing consumer interest and analyzes their relationship with consumers using big data algorithms.

The top 30 in the February 2026 Rising Star Brand Reputation rankings are Park Ji-hoon, WOODZ, Stray Kids, Park Jung-min, Go Yoon-jung, Kim Yong-bin, Kiki, Park Ji-hyun, Ji-sung, DAY6, ENHYPEN, Chu Young-woo, Cynthia, Jang Ki-yong, Moon Ga-young, Kim Hye-yoon, Park Seo-joon, Joo Woo-jae, Lee Jun-hyuk, Lee Mu-jin, Byun Woo-seok, Kim Go-eun, Choi Woo-shik, Lee Je-hoon, BIBI, Kim Young-dae, Moon Sang-min, Park Seo-jin, Jin Hae-sung, and Nam Ji-hyun.

Park Ji-hoon, who ranked first, achieved a brand reputation index of 5,149,400 with a participation index of 1,143,470, media index of 1,314,155, communication index of 1,625,036, and community index of 1,066,739.

WOODZ, in second place, had a brand reputation index of 3,198,147, with a participation index of 90,352, media index of 615,166, communication index of 1,058,186, and community index of 1,434,443, marking a 105.59% increase from January's index of 1,555,631.

Stray Kids, in third place, had a brand reputation index of 3,025,380, with a participation index of 66,102, media index of 507,063, communication index of 1,150,111, and community index of 1,302,103, showing a 2.56% decrease from January's index of 3,104,928.

Park Jung-min, in fourth place, had a brand reputation index of 2,852,696, with a participation index of 331,334, media index of 950,973, communication index of 894,273, and community index of 676,115, showing a 17.82% decrease from January's index of 3,471,261.

Go Yoon-jung, in fifth place, had a brand reputation index of 2,847,633, with a participation index of 643,519, media index of 780,118, communication index of 781,264, and community index of 642,731, marking a 2.11% increase from January's index of 2,788,682.

Koo Chang-hwan, director of the Korean Business Reputation Research Institute, stated, "In the February 2026 big data analysis of Rising Star Brand Reputation, Park Ji-hoon ranked first. Compared to January's data, there was a 0.39% decrease. Detailed analysis shows an 18.05% decrease in brand consumption, an 8.15% decrease in brand issues, an 8.84% increase in brand communication, and a 2.70% increase in brand diffusion."

He added, "Park Ji-hoon secured the top spot with his role in the film 'The Man Who Lives with the King.' WOODZ ranked second with his reverse charting hit 'Drowning.' Stray Kids, in third, made impactful records on global charts. Park Jung-min, in fourth, continues to showcase unique charms on screen. Go Yoon-jung, in fifth, is actively engaging in dramas and variety shows, enhancing communication."

Park Ji-hoon first gained public attention in 2017 through Mnet's audition program 'Produce 101 Season 2,' leaving a strong impression with his wink ending on the signal song stage. He was the only trainee to surpass one million votes in the first ranking announcement, ultimately joining Wanna One as the second-place finalist.

The February 2026 Rising Star Brand Reputation survey included big data analysis of brands such as Park Ji-hoon, WOODZ, Stray Kids, Park Jung-min, Go Yoon-jung, Kim Yong-bin, Kiki, Park Ji-hyun, Ji-sung, DAY6, ENHYPEN, Chu Young-woo, Cynthia, Jang Ki-yong, Moon Ga-young, Kim Hye-yoon, Park Seo-joon, Joo Woo-jae, Lee Jun-hyuk, Lee Mu-jin, Byun Woo-seok, Kim Go-eun, Choi Woo-shik, Lee Je-hoon, BIBI, Kim Young-dae, Moon Sang-min, Park Seo-jin, Jin Hae-sung, Nam Ji-hyun, Kim Sun-young, Seo Kang-joon, Ahn Sung-hoon, Won Ji-an, Lee Jong-suk, Baby Monster, Cat's Eye, Jeon Do-yeon, Seo Hyun-jin, Lee Jun-young, Car the Garden, Lee Jung-jae, Tours, Jung Kyung-ho, Son Tae-jin, Cortis, Yoon Si-yoon, Rise, Lee Chang-seop, and Jung So-min.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr