The Korean Business Research Institute has announced the top 100 Korean actor brand reputation rankings for January 2026, with the late actor Ahn Sung-ki leading the rankings. Lee Je-hoon, Ko Kyo Hwan, Kim Woo Bin, and Go Youn Jung round out the top five. See the full list of this month’s most popular actors.
January 2026 Top 100 Korean Actor Brand Reputation Rankings
The Korean Business Research Institute analyzed 203,567,604 brand-data points for 100 actors from December 27, 2025, to January 27, 2026, denoting a 31.00% increase from December’s 155 million data points. They measured consumer participation, media exposure, online chats, and community buzz, then ran the data through a weighted algorithm to get the actors’ brand reputation index.

TOP 5 Korean Actors
1. Ahn Sung Ki
In January’s list, the late actor Ahn Sung Ki, known as the “National Actor” (Gukmin Actor), ranked first. He achieved a staggering 39,693,067 in brand reputation, jumping 31% from December. This figure was driven by 10.76 million in participation, 10.07 million in media mentions, 9.28 million in communications, and 9.57 million in community participation.
High engagement followed Ahn Sung-ki’s passing on January 5 at age 74, leading to extensive online discussion. “Ongoing tributes to this national acting icon propelled Ahn Sung-ki to the top spot,” said Koo Chang-hwan, head of the Korean Business Research Institute.
2. Lee Je Hoon
Lee Je Hoon placed second with a brand reputation index of 6,749,421, driven by “Taxi Driver 3” buzz and a major award win. His communication index was highest at 1.57 million. Interviews and exclusive backstage content kept his name trending, with fans showing strong, positive engagement.
While he secured second place in the Korean actor rankings this month, he took the top position in the Korean drama actor rankings.
3. Koo Kyo Hwan
Koo Kyo-hwan earned third place with a brand reputation index of 4,689,069. His role in the romantic movie “Once We Were Us” sparked buzz. Its media coverage reached 1.13 million, and participation 1.14 million, with viewers seeking it out, streaming clips, and sharing reviews.
The actor achieved a 1,346,452 in communication. The film opened at #2 at the Korean box office, with 110,326 admissions, and was praised by critics for its moving realism. Fan discussions praising his performance, emotional richness, and chemistry with Moon Ga-young
4 . Kim Woo Bin
Kim Woo Bin secured fourth with a brand reputation index of 4,111,207. The actor model gained more than 1.30 million on the communication index and 1 million on the community index. These figures were boosted by his December wedding to his longtime girlfriend, Shin Min Ah, sparking discussion and warm congratulations across social feeds. His rom-com Genie, Make a Wish, drew strong chatter this month.
5. Go Youn Jung
Go Youn-jung rounded out the Top 5 with 4,027,763 points this month. She achieved the highest participation index of 1.31 million. The actress has immersed K-drama fans with her two roles in her latest drama, “Can This Love Be Translated?” Viewers actively seeking her out, rewatching scenes, creating fan content for “Can This Love Be Translated?” Her media and community indexes showed gains in popularity, with viewers praising her drama performance online.
TOP 100 Korean Actors

- Ahn Sung Ki
- Lee Je Hoon
- Koo Kyo Hwan
- Kim Woo Bin
- Go Youn Jung
- Han Ji Min
- Lee Seo Jin
- Jang Ki Yong
- Kim Hye Joon
- Hyun Bin
- Moon Ka Young
- 2PM’s Lee Junho
- Nam Ji Hyun
- Pyo Ye Jin
- Ahn Eun Jin
- Park Seo Joon
- Moon Sang Min
- Jung Kyung Ho
- Chang Ryul
- Yoo Ji Tae
- Won Ji An
- Lee Byung Hun
- Ji Sung
- Seo Hyun Jin
- EXO’s Doh Kyung Soo (D.O.)
- Jung Joon Ho
- Kwon Sang Woo
- Kim Da Mi
- Kim Go Eun
- Ji Chang Wook
- Lee Young Ae
- Choi Soo Young
- Nana
- Han Hye Jin
- Kim Ji Young
- Park Hi Soo
- Lee Chae Min
- So Joo Yeon
- Kim Jae Young
- Son Ye Jin
- Yoo Jae Myung
- Lee Yoo Young
- Lee Jung Jae
- Kim Se Jeong
- Hahm Eun Jung
- Lee Joo Young
- Won Jin Ah
- Gong Yoo
- Ryu Jun Yeol
- Ahn Hyo Seop
- Yoon Kye Sang
- Hwang Jung Min
- Kim Young Kwang
- Lee Kwang Soo
- Ha Jung Woo
- Kang Tae Oh
- Lee Jae In
- Lee Si Woo
- Jeon Do Yeon
- Lee Jong Suk
- Son Suk Ku
- Lee Il Hwa
- Ma Dong Seok
- Park Bo Young
- Jung So Min
- Lee Jun Hyuk
- Lee Sun Bin
- Jung Il Woo
- Cha Seung Won
- Byun Yo Han
- Kim Hye Soo
- Lim Ji Yeon
- Jung In Sun
- Jo Jung Seok
- Sung Dong Il
- Lee Dong Wook
- Go Soo
- Kim Sun Young
- Song Ji Hyo
- Kim Eui Sung
- Kim Hyang Gi
- Park Hae Soo
- Kim Mu Jun
- Lee Ha Nee
- Lee Min Ho
- Kim Jong Soo
- Yoon Se Ah
- Hong Kyung
- Kim Hee Sun
- Woo Da Vi
- Hong Su Zu
- Shin Seung Ho
- Hee Jung Kim
- Chae Soo Bin
- Yoon Hyun Min
- Seo Hye Won
- Bae Yuram
- Yuna
- Gong Hyo Jin
- Kim Dong Wook
Who’s Your Top Star This Month?
This month’s rankings highlight moments of heartbreak, brilliance, and rising stars. Every mention, post, and headline shows these actors lighting up our screens and feeds. Now, which name tops your list for January’s Korean actor brand reputation rankings? Let us know in the comments.
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