Rising Star Brand Reputation Rankings for March 2026: Park Ji-hoon Tops the List

The March 2026 analysis of Rising Star Brand Reputation, based on big data, reveals Park Ji-hoon at the top, followed by WOODZ and Kim Yong-bin.

The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute analyzed 91,029,561 pieces of big data from February 28 to March 29, 2026, to measure consumer behavior towards star brands, including participation, media, communication, and community indices. This marks an 8.33% increase compared to February's 84,028,008 pieces of data.

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. It includes category consumption weights in its detailed indicators.

The analysis covers 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 rising star brands for March 2026 are Park Ji-hoon, WOODZ, Kim Yong-bin, Joo Woo-jae, Stray Kids, Kiki, Lee Jun-hyuk, Go Yoon-jung, Park Ji-hyun, Park Jung-min, Kim Go-eun, DAY6, ENHYPEN, Lee Jong-suk, Lee Je-hoon, Han Hye-jin, Moon Sang-min, RIIZE, Lee Jun-ho, Choi Woo-shik, BIBI, Seo Kang-joon, Park Seo-joon, Byun Woo-seok, HATSUHATSU, Park Seo-jin, Ahn Sung-hoon, Rowoon, Kim Se-jeong, and BABYMONSTER.

Park Ji-hoon, who ranked first, achieved a brand reputation index of 8,929,311, with a participation index of 1,373,525, media index of 1,364,914, communication index of 4,565,898, and community index of 1,624,974. This is a 73.40% increase from March's index of 5,149,400. His film 'The Man Who Lives with the King' recently surpassed 15 million viewers.

In second place, WOODZ achieved a brand reputation index of 5,504,125, with a participation index of 149,056, media index of 715,212, communication index of 3,114,139, and community index of 1,525,718, marking a 72.10% increase from March's index of 3,198,147.

Kim Yong-bin, in third place, achieved a brand reputation index of 4,316,827, with a participation index of 208,298, media index of 566,256, communication index of 2,284,037, and community index of 1,258,236, marking a 53.73% increase from March's index of 2,808,106.

Joo Woo-jae, in fourth place, achieved a brand reputation index of 3,747,012, with a participation index of 167,103, media index of 569,968, communication index of 1,637,006, and community index of 1,372,936, marking a 98.20% increase from March's index of 1,890,497.

Stray Kids, in fifth place, achieved a brand reputation index of 3,290,822, with a participation index of 50,553, media index of 482,115, communication index of 1,140,393, and community index of 1,617,761, marking an 8.77% increase from March's index of 3,025,380.

Koo Chang-hwan, director of the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, stated, "In the March 2026 big data analysis of rising star brand reputation, Park Ji-hoon ranked first. Comparing the rising star brand category to February, there was an 8.33% increase in big data. Detailed analysis shows a 2.54% decrease in brand consumption, a 1.52% decrease in brand issues, a 21.28% increase in brand communication, and a 2.99% increase in brand diffusion."

He added, "Park Ji-hoon maintained his top position by creating a syndrome. WOODZ ranked second with news of concerts and a world tour. He initially debuted in the top ranks through Mnet's 'Produce X 101' in 2019, but the program faced manipulation controversies, leading to X1's disbandment. Kim Yong-bin, in third place, has secured a strong fandom as a representative of emotional trot. Joo Woo-jae, in fourth place, has established himself as a trendsetter in entertainment with his witty talk. Stray Kids, in fifth place, are solidifying their growth in the global market."

The March 2026 Rising Star Brand Reputation survey analyzed big data for brands including Park Ji-hoon, WOODZ, Kim Yong-bin, Joo Woo-jae, Stray Kids, Kiki, Lee Jun-hyuk, Go Yoon-jung, Park Ji-hyun, Park Jung-min, Kim Go-eun, DAY6, ENHYPEN, Lee Jong-suk, Lee Je-hoon, Han Hye-jin, Moon Sang-min, RIIZE, Lee Jun-ho, Choi Woo-shik, BIBI, Seo Kang-joon, Park Seo-joon, Byun Woo-seok, HATSUHATSU, Park Seo-jin, Ahn Sung-hoon, Rowoon, Kim Se-jeong, BABYMONSTER, Do Kyung-soo, Kim Hye-yoon, Moon Ga-young, Lee Jun-young, Nam Ji-hyun, Seo Hyun-jin, AlphaDriveOne, Lim Ji-yeon, Lee Chae-min, Cynthia, Chu Young-woo, Lee Chang-seop, Han Loro, Car the Garden, Jang Ki-yong, Tours, Jung So-min, Kim Ui-seong, Lee Mu-jin, and Cortis.

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