Head Over Heels star shocks brand rankings, blocks Squid Game 3 leads Lee Byung Hun, Lee Jung Jae from top spot
Karen Noronha | Jul 23, 2025, 13:44 IST
Highlight of the story: Released by the Korean Business Research Institute, this month's rankings were calculated using media coverage, participation, interaction, and community metrics for 100 actors featured in dramas, films, or OTT projects between June 22 and July 22.
In a stunning twist that has caught the industry by surprise, a rookie actor has surged to the top of the July actor brand reputation rankings, outshining seasoned titans Lee Byung Hun and Lee Jung Jae - both cornerstones of the recently concluded Squid Game series. Released by the Korean Business Research Institute, this month's rankings were calculated using media coverage, participation, interaction, and community metrics for 100 actors featured in dramas, films, or OTT projects between June 22 and July 22.
Currently captivating audiences in the smash-hit drama Head Over Heels, Choo Young Woo has stormed to the top with a staggering brand reputation index of 7,694,868. Still early in his career, he's proving to be a force of nature - fresh, fierce, and impossible to ignore. The throne is his, and the industry is watching.
Despite global superstardom and high anticipation for his return in Squid Game 3, Lee Jung Jae had to settle for second place. With a score of 7,050,788, he remains a towering figure - but this time, the crown slipped just out of reach.
Third place went to veteran powerhouse Lee Byung Hun, who not only stars in Squid Game 3 but also voices the chilling Demon King Gwi-ma in KPop Demon Hunters. With a brand index of 6,578,206, he reminds everyone that legends don't fall - they simply bide their time.
Hot off the success of Good Boy, Park Bo Gum surged into fourth place with a brand index of 4,663,633. Charismatic and versatile, he's proving once again that he's here to dominate, one genre at a time.
Closing out the top five is rising star Jo Yuri, who made waves through her role in Squid Game 3. With a brand reputation index of 4,322,075, she's a rising storm in an industry that can no longer overlook her power.
6. Park Bo Young
7. Cho Yi Hyun
8. Lee Jong Suk
9. Yim Si Wan
10. Park Gyu Young
11. Go Youn Jung
12. Kim So Hyun
13. Park Ju Hyun
14. Seol In Ah
15. Kang Ha Neul
16. Lee Jun Hyuk
17. Gong Yoo
18. Ryu Kyung Soo
19. GOT7’s Jinyoung
20. Namkoong Min
21. Son Suk Ku
22. Shim Eun Kyung
23. Park Sung Hoon
24. Go Min Si
25. So Ji Sub
26. Jeon Yeo Been
27. Cha Kang Yoon
28. Won Mi Kyung
29. Lee Sun Bin
30. Jung Hae In
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Choo Young Woo
Choo Young Woo
Currently captivating audiences in the smash-hit drama Head Over Heels, Choo Young Woo has stormed to the top with a staggering brand reputation index of 7,694,868. Still early in his career, he's proving to be a force of nature - fresh, fierce, and impossible to ignore. The throne is his, and the industry is watching.
Lee Jung Jae
Lee Jung Jae
Despite global superstardom and high anticipation for his return in Squid Game 3, Lee Jung Jae had to settle for second place. With a score of 7,050,788, he remains a towering figure - but this time, the crown slipped just out of reach.
Lee Byung Hun
Lee Byung Hun
Third place went to veteran powerhouse Lee Byung Hun, who not only stars in Squid Game 3 but also voices the chilling Demon King Gwi-ma in KPop Demon Hunters. With a brand index of 6,578,206, he reminds everyone that legends don't fall - they simply bide their time.
Park Bo Gum
Park Bo Gum
Hot off the success of Good Boy, Park Bo Gum surged into fourth place with a brand index of 4,663,633. Charismatic and versatile, he's proving once again that he's here to dominate, one genre at a time.
Jo Yuri
Jo Yuri
Closing out the top five is rising star Jo Yuri, who made waves through her role in Squid Game 3. With a brand reputation index of 4,322,075, she's a rising storm in an industry that can no longer overlook her power.
Check out the actors to made it to the Top 30 for July
6. Park Bo Young
7. Cho Yi Hyun
8. Lee Jong Suk
9. Yim Si Wan
10. Park Gyu Young
11. Go Youn Jung
12. Kim So Hyun
13. Park Ju Hyun
14. Seol In Ah
15. Kang Ha Neul
16. Lee Jun Hyuk
17. Gong Yoo
18. Ryu Kyung Soo
19. GOT7’s Jinyoung
20. Namkoong Min
21. Son Suk Ku
22. Shim Eun Kyung
23. Park Sung Hoon
24. Go Min Si
25. So Ji Sub
26. Jeon Yeo Been
27. Cha Kang Yoon
28. Won Mi Kyung
29. Lee Sun Bin
30. Jung Hae In
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.