By Dong Sun-hwa

BTS member Jimin was the most powerful brand in K-pop in April, a domestic reputation index found, while fellow band member Jungkook was ranked second.

Jimin edged out 987 K-pop singers to top the monthly index assessed by the Korea Reputation Centre, a business consultancy. The rating is based on big data analysis in four categories:― participation, media, communication and community.

In an indication of the seven-member boy band’s popularity, all BTS members were in the top 10: Jungkook (second), V (fourth), Jin (fifth), RM (sixth), Suga (seventh) and J-hope (eighth).

Jimin made his debut as a BTS member in 2013 with the album 2 Cool 4 Skool. BTS have recently dominated the US Billboard 200 chart with their latest album Map of the Soul: Persona and are set to begin their second world tour Love Yourself: Speak Yourself on May 4.