(Big Hit Entertainment)

BTS ranked the idol group with the highest brand value in September.

The Korean Reputation Center collected and analyzed more than 120 million pieces of data on K-pop singers between Sept. 5 and Friday. BTS emerged top with a brand reputation index of 12 million.

Rookie boy band Wanna One took second place and singer IU was No. 3. Other groups that led the ranking included GFriend, EXO, Twice, Black Pink and Red Velvet.

“As boy groups BTS and Wanna One competed with each other, the big data of the singer brand reputation index increased. In particular BTS is established as a global brand, as its new songs ranked high on Billboard’s charts. It seems that this result came from the increased communication with global consumers through video platforms such as YouTube and social media,” said Koo Chang-hwan, head of Korea Reputation Center.

BTS received high ratings for the terms “Billboard,” “DNA,” and “Bang Si-hyuk” in link analysis and “best,” “cool,” and wait” in key word analysis.

In an analysis of positive-negative ratings, it received ratings that were 87.13 percent positive.

Released each month, the brand value ranking is based on participation, communication, media and community indexes.

By Kim So-yeon (syk19372@heraldcorp.com)