The Korean Business Research Institute released its brand reputation rankings for K-Pop boy groups for the month of September. To determine which boys groups make the list, they analyzed consumer participation, community awareness, and news coverage.
10. MONSTA X
MONSTA X is a six-member boy group that debuted in 2015 under Starship Entertainment. The group is composed of Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. The group originally debuted as seven, but member Wonho left the group in 2019 following drug allegations.
9. BIG BANG
BIGBANG is a four-member boy group that debuted in 2006 under YG Entertainment. The group is composed of G-Dragon, Taeyong, Daesung, and T.O.P. They originally debuted as five, but member Seungri retired from the entertainment industry in 2019 following his string of controversies, dubbed the "Rising Sun Controversy". BIGBANG is known as the "King of K-pop" thanks to their contributions to the Hallyu wave internationally.
8. Super Junior
Super Junior is a 10-member boy group that debuted in 2005 under SM Entertainment. The group is composed of Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun. They originally debuted as 12, but in 2009, Han Geng filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment and left the group in 2011. In 2015, Kibum chose not to resign from SM Entertainment and in 2019, Kangin left the group voluntarily. In 2006, Kyuhyun was added as a new member. Currently, Super Junior is active as nine members, with Sungmin on a hiatus since 2015.
7. SHINee
SHINee is a five-member boy group that debuted in 2008 under SM Entertainment. The group is composed of Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin. In 2017, Jonghyun passed away after taking his life but is forever known as a member of SHINee. They are known as the "Princes of K-pop".
6. THE BOYZ
THE BOYZ is an eleven-member boy group that debuted in 2017 under Cre.Ker Entertainment. The group is composed of Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Ju Haknyeon, Sunwoo, and Eric. The group originally debuted as twelve, but member Hwall left the group in 2019 due to health issues.
5. ASTRO
ASTRO is a six-member boy group that debuted in 2016 under Fantagio. The group is composed of MJ, JinJin, Cha Eunwoo, Moon Bin, Rocky, and Yoon Sanha. In 2016, they were named as one of the best new K-pop groups by Billboard.
4. EXO
EXO is a nine-member boy group that debuted in 2012 under SM Entertainment. The group is composed of Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun. The group originally debuted as twelve, but members Kris, Luhan, and Tao all left the group in 2014-2015 amid legal battles with the agency. EXO is one of the most influential celebrities in South Korea and has been dubbed as "Kings of K-pop" by various media outlets.
3. SEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN is a thirteen-member boy group that debuted in 2015 under PLEDIS Entertainment. The group is composed of S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino. SEVENTEEn is known as a self-producing K-pop group, as the members are highly active in the creative process of their music.
2. NCT
NCT is a twenty-three-member boy group under SM Entertainment. The group is composed of Taeil, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Taeyong, Ten, Mark, Yuta, Winwin, Haechan, Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung, Johnny, Jungwoo, Lucas, Kun, Xiaojun, Hendery, Yangyang, Shotaro, and Sungchan. NCT is known for their unique concept of having unlimited members divide into multiple sub-units, in which members can shift in and out of. NCT U, NCT 127, and NCT Dream debuted in 2016. Their Chinese unit, WayV, debuted in 2019. With Shotaro and Sungchan's addition to the group in 2020, SM Entertainment has stated they will be joining a future sub-unit.
1. BTS
BTS is a seven-member boy that debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. The group is composed of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. BTS is the best-selling artist in South Korean history and their album, "Map of the Soul: 7" is South Korea's best-selling album. As of 2020, they were named as the most influential celebrities in South Korea. They are known as the "Princes of Pop".
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