K-Pop Roundup: IVE's Wonyoung Reigns Supreme as "Demon Hunters" Goes Viral

This week in K-pop, it’s all about who’s ruling the charts and capturing hearts. IVE’s Jang Wonyoung has once again proven her star power by topping the individual idol brand reputation rankings, while a new Netflix animation is bringing a legendary first-generation idol back into the spotlight. Let’s dive into the biggest stories dominating the Korean web.

Wonyoung, Jimin, and Rosé: The Unshakeable Top Tier

Every month, fans eagerly await the Korea Business Research Institute’s brand reputation rankings, which analyze big data to measure an idol’s public engagement, media coverage, and community presence. For September 2025, IVE’s Jang Wonyoung proudly claimed the #1 spot.

What does this mean? It’s a data-backed confirmation of her immense popularity. The analysis revealed a staggering 92.28% positivity ratio for Wonyoung, with key phrases linked to her being ‘시크릿하다’ (sikeurithada - chic and mysterious), ‘상큼하다’ (sangkeumhada - refreshing and zesty), and ‘러블리하다’ (reobeullihada - lovely).

Close behind her, BTS’s Jimin and BLACKPINK’s Rosé secured the #2 and #3 spots, respectively. Their consistent high rankings demonstrate their unshakable global influence and dedicated fanbases, proving that their individual brands are as powerful as their groups.

”K-Pop Demon Hunters”: The Netflix Hit Reviving a Legend

Have you watched “K-Pop Demon Hunters” on Netflix yet? This animated film has become a surprise hit, and it’s not just because of its action-packed story. The show has sparked renewed interest in S.E.S.’s Eugene, a member of one of the very first K-pop girl groups.

For international fans who might not know, S.E.S. debuted in 1997 and are considered true ‘원조 아이돌’ (wonjo aidol - original idols). Seeing Eugene, a pioneer of the genre, being celebrated by a new generation through a modern hit like “Demon Hunters” has been a major topic of conversation in Korean online communities.

The show’s influence doesn’t stop there. It has even spawned a fashion collaboration with the popular Korean brand 8seconds, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon.

K-Pop’s Soft Power is Stronger Than Ever

K-pop’s global reach is no secret, but it was recently highlighted on the world stage. During a summit at the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Italy mentioned that her own daughter is a passionate K-pop fan. It’s a small but powerful anecdote showing how K-pop has become a genuine tool for cultural diplomacy.

This sentiment is echoed in academic circles. Researchers in Japan have been analyzing the global impact of artists like BTS and NewJeans, recognizing K-pop not just as music, but as a sustainable and influential global cultural movement.

From brand rankings to diplomatic conversations, K-pop continues to create value and capture the world’s attention in fascinating new ways.

Korean Vocabulary from This Article

브랜드평판 (beuraendeu-pyeongpan)
- Pronunciation: beu-raen-deu-pyeong-pan
- Meaning: Brand Reputation. A data-driven index measuring an idol’s popularity and public perception.
원조 아이돌 (wonjo aidol)
- Pronunciation: won-jo ah-ee-dol
- Meaning: Original Idol. Refers to the first generation of K-pop idols from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
시크릿하다 (sikeurithada)
- Pronunciation: shi-keu-rit-ha-da
- Meaning: To be secretive or mysterious. It combines the English word “secret” with the Korean verb-forming suffix “-hada.” A descriptive term used for Jang Wonyoung.
상큼하다 (sangkeumhada)
- Pronunciation: sang-keum-ha-da
- Meaning: To be refreshing or zesty. Often used to describe a bright, energetic charm.
긍정비율 (geungjeong-biyul)
- Pronunciation: geung-jeong-bi-yul
- Meaning: Positivity Ratio. The percentage of positive reactions in a data analysis, used here for brand reputation.