BLACKPINK Outshines aespa in January 2025's Most Popular Girl Group List Despite Hiatus

The Korean Business Research Institute unveiled the brand reputation rankings of girl groups in January 2025, showcasing BLACKPINK's star power as they once again reigned supreme—even during their hiatus.

The quartet (Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, Lisa) garnered a reputation index of 10,162,333, a 24% decrease from their December 2024 index, as per the analysis.

Despite the drop, the girl group still managed to claim the top spot, with the help of the keywords "APT.", "Rosé," and "Billboard." The "Pink Venom" singers' highest-ranking related words were "all-kill," "surpass," and "record."

The girl group also earned 92.89% of positive reactions for this month.

Rosé's recent success from her collaboration with Bruno Mars, as well as her solo album "rosie" release, evidently became the driving force behind the group's re-domination on the reputation chart, which has been unchallenged since November 2024.

Moreover, BLACKPINK is reportedly making a comeback this year, set to release a full album and embark on a world tour following their two-year break.

BLINKs (BLACKPINK's fandom) also await Jisoo's acting return and rumored music comeback in February after her three fellow members' solo works last year.

Meanwhile, aespa (Karina, Winter, NingNing, Giselle) came in strong as the #2 most popular girl group, earning a total of 6,400,635 reputation index, a 39.90% increase from their December score. The "Supernova" hitmaker has been steadily ranking second since October.

On January 11 and 12, the SM Entertainment girl group dazzled in their performance of f(x)'s "Rum Pum Pum Pum" at the SMTOWN Live 2025 in Seoul. MYs (aespa's fans) are now buzzing in anticipation of a higher ranking for the quartet in February.

Here are the "Top 30 Most Popular Girl Groups" of January 2025:

1. BLACKPINK
2. aespa
3. IVE
4. (G)I-DLE
5. TWICE
6. LE SSERAFIM
7. OH MY GIRL
8. Red Velvet
9. BABYMONSTER
10. NMIXX
11. Apink
12. izna
13. STAYC
14. H1-KEY
15. ILLIT
16. MAMAMOO
17. FIFTY FIFTY
18. Dreamcatcher
19. WJSN
20. Girl's Day
21. tripleS
22. ITZY
23. Kep1er
24. cignature
25. KISS OF LIFE
26. KATSEYE
27. VIVIZ
28. LOONA
29. woo!ah!
30. Candy Shop