[2025] K-POP Idols Recommended on note [Nikkei Trend]

What is the 'Oshi' Artist Ranking?

At the end of the year, note starts looking back at the articles written that year, and 'Oshi-katsu' (supporting your favorite) is one of them. My favorite, BTS, is in the Top 5 too! ( *´艸｀)

Perhaps thanks to the spread of AI, it seems that more detailed data was collected for 2025 compared to 2024. I read the content as it was introduced in a Nikkei Cross Trend article, and since it contained analysis from various angles, I extracted only the K-POP idols!

Points to note

The following data refers to the Nikkei Cross Trend article linked within the article (you can read the full text with free member registration).
Please note that this is based on specific periods and articles on note, so it is not a general popularity ranking.

*This time, Japan-based K-POP derivative groups (JO1, INI, etc.) are excluded.

K-POP Oshi Article Ranking 2025

• Aggregation period: 2024/12–2025/11

• Aggregation target: note articles with artist name hashtags

Overall Category (Top 20)

5th place: BTS (HYBE / BIGHIT MUSIC)
8th place: TOMORROW X TOGETHER (HYBE / BIGHIT MUSIC)
20th place: Stray Kids (JYP)

Wait, is BIGHIT MUSIC strong on note?
That's a bit surprising. In terms of fan population, I thought BLACKPINK or SEVENTEEN would be in there.

Rising Category (Top 20)

Articles that saw an increase in posts in 2025 compared to 2024.

• 10th place: BOYNEXTDOOR (HYBE / KOZ)

• 16th place: RIIZE (SM)

Dedicated to Oshi-katsu Category (Top 10)

Articles that specifically talk about actions where people spent a lot of money and time.
I laughed because K-POP is too strong here. 6 out of 10 is too many, lol.

• 1st place: TOMORROW X TOGETHER (HYBE / BIGHIT MUSIC)

• 2nd Place: Stray Kids (JYP)

• 3rd Place: ZEROBASEONE (CJ ENM / WAKEONE)

• 7th Place: RIIZE (SM)

• 8th Place: BOYNEXTDOOR (HYBE / KOZ)

• 9th Place: SEVENTEEN (HYBE / PLEDIS)

The activity level of the K-POP scene, which even gets featured on note, a platform centered on J-POP... it's truly impressive!

Long-term Fandom Category (Top 10)

Articles that describe long-term devotion, depth, and life-long journeys with their favorites.
I once heard a story from a mom sitting next to me at a BTS solo concert about how she got hooked on TVXQ back in the day... There is history in every fan's journey.

• 3rd Place: TVXQ (SM)

• 10th Place: TOMORROW X TOGETHER (HYBE / BIGHIT MUSIC)

Constant Talkers Category (Top 10)

Articles that are like the true calling of an otaku—analyzing and talking about everything from production and technical skills to growth stories.
TXT is strong here! This fandom has high energy overall and has ranked in other categories as well.

• 3rd Place: TOMORROW X TOGETHER (HYBE / BIGHIT MUSIC)

• 9th Place: BOYNEXTDOOR (HYBE / KOZ)

Favorites Living in My Heart Category (Top 10)

Articles with content and expressions deeply rooted in emotion (where 'like' and 'precious' are replaced by 'sobbing' and 'I can't handle this'), such as 'My reason for living = my favorite.' Outside of K-POP artists, audition-based groups tended to be strong here.

• 6th Place: TOMORROW X TOGETHER (HYBE / BIGHIT MUSIC)

• 9th Place: SEVENTEEN (HYBE / PLEDIS)

Summary: K-POP Fan Article Ranking 2025

It was striking that no girl groups made the ranking.
Since there is a general tendency for women to be the ones who write long, passionate posts, perhaps there are more boy group fans on note, which is a long-form text SNS.

It is also interesting that BTS, which is at the top of the K-POP category in the overall ranking, does not appear in the general ranking. I am dying to know what people are talking about in the categories that don't fall under the main classifications.
TOMORROW X TOGETHER is strong! Perhaps their intricate worldview and concepts perfectly match the 'desire to talk' of the note demographic. It's great to have an idol worth talking about ( *´艸｀)

Ranking of words used to talk about idols

The results of sentiment analysis and other data from articles written about each artist were also included, so I have picked them up.
Data for the following three groups from K-POP was available, so I will compare them.

• Target: Top 10 in the "Overall Category" and Top 10 in the "Rising Category" of the "Favorite Artist Ranking 2025"

  • BTS (HYBE / BIGHIT MUSIC)

    • Veterans who debuted in 2013

    • Focusing on solo activities in 2025 due to military service, with group activities resuming in 2026

  • TOMORROW X TOGETHER (HYBE / BIGHIT MUSIC)

    • Mid-career group that debuted in 2019

    • Active in 2025 with world tours and VR concerts

  • BOYNEXTDOOR (HYBE / KOZ)

    • Young group that debuted in 2023

    • Style where producer ZICO and the members are involved in songwriting

The Speechless Type

Articles with many "emotional words (e.g., precious, cried, saved)."

1. BOYNEXTDOOR

2. BTS

3. TOMORROW X TOGETHER

The "Isn't My Bias Amazing?" Type

Articles with many "evaluative words (e.g., skilled, perfection, composition)."

1. TOMORROW X TOGETHER

2. BTS

3. BOYNEXTDOOR

The "I Want to Be a Storyteller" Type

Articles with many "narrative words (e.g., effort, growth, change)."

1. TOMORROW X TOGETHER

2. BTS

3. BOYNEXTDOOR

Summary: Ranking of Words Used to Talk About Biases

While BTS remains immovable, the impression is that the passionate TXT and the youthful BOYNEXTDOOR are working hard and full of energy. In comparison, the BIGHIT brothers have high passion overall, while BOYNEXTDOOR gives the impression of a rising star with the momentum of "I just love them!"

Ranking of Reasons for Stanning

As with the previous section, this covers BTS / TOMORROW X TOGETHER / BOYNEXTDOOR.

• Music/Vocals: BOYNEXTDOOR

• Visuals: BOYNEXTDOOR

• Personality/Relationships: BTS

• Live/On-site Experience: BTS

• Story/Growth: TOMORROW X TOGETHER

• Technique/Composition: TOMORROW X TOGETHER

• Social Relevance/Timeliness: TOMORROW X TOGETHER

It's interesting how the directions of popularity are clearly divided!

Summary: Ranking of Reasons for Stanning

Looking at it from the perspective of debut years and the phase of fandom activity, it looks something like this.

• BTS

  • The relationships built over 10+ years of activity are highly popular

  • Are reviews of new and old performances increasing due to expectations for solo tours and full-group reunions?

• TOMORROW X TOGETHER

  • Performance and concepts are highly rated

  • Fans have entered the phase of passing on stories from their initial enthusiasm

• BOYNEXTDOOR

  • Visuals are essential for the momentum of new fan acquisition

  • Mentions of their musical side are increasing, partly due to their music production style

It is interesting how the trends in fan-talk content vary quite a bit depending on the fandom and the artist.
The original article also included more detailed graphs for these three groups, so if you are interested, please be sure to read it!

What will the ranking look like next year?

As a member of the BTS fandom, I saw the depth of their fan base in the fact that they are still ranked even after going through the several-year military service period around 2023–2025. It's amazing!
In 2025, the members held two solo tours, and at that time, my inner Namahage police force was activated, wondering, 'Are there any kids posting using only the member's name without including #BTS ?' lol

Fandoms that want to be ranked next year, please be sure to write passionate articles using the hashtags #Oshikatsu and the artist's name (group name).
Since AI is analyzing the content, spam articles are not allowed. Please pour your heart out. Fighting!

There is also a magazine

It seems they are also featured in magazines. Check the table of contents in the sample!

*This is an affiliate link.

Related Articles

Rankings are romantic.