The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for individual boy group members!

The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, communication, and community awareness indexes of 703 boy group members, using big data collected from February 19 to March 19.

BTS’s Jimin held onto his spot at the top of the list for the second consecutive month, earning a brand reputation index of 5,143,223 for March.

High-ranking phrases in Jimin’s keyword analysis included “concert,” “ARMY,” and “Our Blues,” while his highest-ranking related terms included “perform,” “participate,” and “donate.” His positivity-negativity analysis also revealed a score of 87.09 percent positive reactions.

Wanna One’s Kang Daniel also maintained his position at second place with a brand reputation index of 4,342,676 for the month.

Meanwhile, ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo rose to third place this month with a brand reputation index of 3,649,305.

2PM’s Lee Junho took fourth place on the list with a brand reputation index of 3,296,824, while Super Junior’s Kim Heechul rounded out the top five for March with a total index of 3,062,327.

Check out the top 30 for this month below!

1. BTS’s Jimin
2. Wanna One’s Kang Daniel
3. ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo
4. 2PM’s Lee Junho
5. Super Junior’s Kim Heechul
6. BTS’s V
7. BTS’s Jungkook
8. Super Junior’s Choi Siwon
9. SHINee’s Minho
10. BTS’s Jin
11. Super Junior’s Kyuhyun
12. BTS’ Suga
13. BIGBANG’s G-Dragon
14. SHINee’s Key
15. BTS’s RM
16. VICTON’s Byungchan
17. WINNER’s Song Mino
18. WINNER’s Kang Seung Yoon
19. BTOB’s Hyunsik
20. BTS’s J-Hope
21. NU’EST’s and Wanna One’s Minhyun
22. Wanna One’s Ha Sung Woon
23. SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu
24. Wanna One’s Park Ji Hoon
25. SF9’s Rowoon
26. BTOB’s Minhyuk
27. BTOB’s Eunkwang
28. Highlight’s Yang Yoseob
29. BTOB’s Yook Sungjae
30. Wanna One’s Kim Jae Hwan

Watch Cha Eun Woo in “True Beauty” with subtitles below!

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BIGBANG is gearing up for their highly-anticipated return!

On March 16, a source from YG Entertainment confirmed, “BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, Taeyang, T.O.P, and Daesung recently completed filming the music video for their new song.”

The source continued, “BIGBANG’s comeback preparations are progressing smoothly. We will inform you of the release date as well as further details on the new song soon.” Although details of the comeback have yet to be revealed, the music video is the final stage of preparation for an album.

This will be BIGBANG’s first new music in approximately four years since the release of “Flower Road” in March 2018. In “Flower Road,” BIGBANG sings, “This is not our last. Let’s meet again when the flowers bloom,” which has drawn even more attention to their upcoming spring comeback.

BIGBANG debuted in 2006, and the group released countless hit songs since then including “LIES,” “LAST FAREWELL,” “HARU HARU,” “FANTASTIC BABY,” “BANG BANG BANG,” and more. Last month in February, YG Entertainment announced BIGBANG’s spring comeback and that T.O.P has parted ways with the agency, but he will be participating in group activities whenever he is able to.

Are you excited for the group’s comeback?

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The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for male idol groups!

The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community indexes of various boy groups, using big data collected from February 12 to March 12.

BTS topped the list for the 46th consecutive month with a brand reputation index of 11,704,137. High-ranking phrases in BTS’s keyword analysis included “concert,” “Jamsil Stadium,” and “ARMY,” while their highest-ranking related terms included “perform,” “hold,” and “be together.” The group’s positivity-negativity analysis also revealed a score of 76.05 percent positive reactions.

BTOB rose to second place in the rankings with a brand reputation index of 3,857,051, marking a whopping 136.95 percent rise in their score since February.

Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN held onto their spot at third place with a brand reputation index of 3,408,409.

EXO came in fourth place with a brand reputation index of 2,601,321, and NCT followed close behind with a brand reputation index of 2,318,403.

Check out the top 30 for this month below!

1. BTS
2. BTOB
3. SEVENTEEN
4. EXO
5. NCT
6. THE BOYZ
7. SHINee
8. ASTRO
9. 2PM
10. MONSTA X
11. TREASURE
12. ENHYPEN
13. Wanna One
14. Stray Kids
15. ATEEZ
16. SF9
17. VIXX
18. TXT
19. INFINITE
20. Shinhwa
21. BIGBANG
22. Highlight
23. WINNER
24. PENTAGON
25. TVXQ
26. Block B
27. TEMPEST
28. Golden Child
29. 2AM
30. VICTON

Watch BTOB’s Minhyuk in his drama “Number Six” with subtitles below:

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TREASURE covered several hit songs by their YG Entertainment labelmates on “Weekly Idol”!

The group appeared as guests on the March 9 episode of the MBC every1 variety show, where they performed their new title track “JIKJIN” and played a number of fun games.

For the program’s “Weekly Playlist” segment, TREASURE prepared a special YG dance cover medley in which they took on the choreographies to BIGBANG’s Taeyang’s “Ringa Linga,” BLACKPINK’s Lisa’s “MONEY,” and GD x Taeyang’s “Good Boy.”

Check out the clip of TREASURE’s dance cover medley below!

You can also watch TREASURE’s performance of their comeback track “JIKJIN” here:

Watch the full episode of “Weekly Idol” with English subtitles below!

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A lot has happened since BIGBANG began their long hiatus back in 2018. The members finished their military service, Taeyang has become a father, T.O.P left YG Entertainment, and the group has shed a member. But finally, these K-pop legends are returning this spring, adding new music to their formidable repertoire that spans 16 years. To prepare yourself for their comeback, take a walk down memory lane with this list of 10 tracks. Instead of the group’s most famous songs, you’ll find some old hits, B-sides, and under-appreciated title tracks that are sure to remind you of the depth of BIGBANG’s discography!

1. “LAST FAREWELL”

Kicking off this list is the 2007 hit “LAST FAREWELL” from the group’s second EP — and it’s not only because we’re glad that this long hiatus has not been BIGBANG’s “last farewell.” The song begins “BIGBANG is back” and then goes into a hype chorus that doesn’t quit. Plus, this famous choreography went “viral” in Korea before viral dance trends were even a thing.

2. “Sunset Glow”

Originally by iconic Korean singer Lee Moon Sae, “Sunset Glow” got a remake when BIGBANG released their own version in 2008, 20 years after the original. The song was much loved in Korea, and it’s easy to see why!

3. “DIRTY CASH”

This 2006 song was part of the group’s debut studio album and is infectiously cheerful and upbeat. It also features a meme-worthy music video that just gets funnier with time (and will give you real nostalgia!). Plus, the track carries a message about valuing family, friends, and dreams over money — what’s not to love?

4. “Café”

BIGBANG showed off their jazzier side in “CAFE,” a B-side from the group’s fourth mini album. The song proves that most BIGBANG B-sides could be title tracks in their own right. It also showcases the group’s talent: in addition to some wow-worthy falsetto, the song is carried by T.O.P’s deep raps and Daesung’s rich vocals on the second verse. Plus, I’ll never get over these stage outfits with the members’ own faces printed on the front.

5. “SOBER”

It’s hard not to love this free-falling single from the “D” portion of BIGBANG’s 2015 “MADE SERIES” as well as the whimsical music video that accompanies it. If you’ve ever felt listless, lost, or not quite in your right mind, BIGBANG shows that they know exactly how you feel — and that it’s alright!

6. “TONIGHT”

It may not be as outlandishly hype as “FANTASTIC BABY” or “BANG BANG BANG,” but the 2011 “TONIGHT” is a different kind of party anthem. With simmering anticipation, a little angst, and some of BIGBANG’s best early 2010s fashion, this track is definitely worth a re-listen!

7. “BLUE”

“BLUE” is a real nostalgia-stirrer, and it’s not just because it was released more than 10 years ago in February 2012. If you replayed this song on repeat back then, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that it’s still a total gem. And as a track about passing metaphorically from winter into spring, it’s the perfect song for putting the cold BIGBANG-less days behind us!

8. “LOVE SONG”

With songs like “LOSER,” “LAST DANCE,” and “If You” to their names, the BIGBANG members are undisputed ballad kings. But amid all these more recent ballads (as well as older emotional hits like “Lies” and “Haru Haru”), the 2011 “LOVE SONG” often gets overlooked. Relive this dreamy single and its mesmerizing yet simple music video:

9. “WE LIKE 2 PARTY”

This 2015 track and its adorkable music video are nothing but feel-good vibes. It’s almost impossible to listen to “WE LIKE 2 PARTY” without a smile on your face — especially when you realize all the partying you can do to celebrate BIGBANG’s return!

10. “Flower Road”

Of course, it’s worth listening to BIGBANG’s last release before their lengthy break: “Flower Road” is a sweet farewell song to the group’s fans, released in 2018 ahead of their hiatus. Upbeat yet laced with emotion, the single features G-Dragon asking fans to “meet again when the flowers bloom.” It seems like we’ve finally reached that time!

Hey Soompiers, are you ready for BIGBANG’s long-awaited comeback? Let us know in the comments!

hgordon stays up way too late on weeknights marathoning K-dramas and trying to keep up with the latest K-pop releases.