Kim Jihoon Holds Onto First Place in July’s Netizen Awards
In a nail-biting fan-vote battle for the Neo Star category of the 2025 July Netizen Awards, Kim Jihoon of Liberante once again claimed the crown. He secured 27,371 votes, nabbing 31.0% of the votes and extending his unbroken 7-month winning streak.
Son Bina’s Surge: Less Than 1% Away
Fellow rising star Son Bina wasn’t far behind: she pulled in a remarkable 26,848 votes (30.4%), falling short by just 523 ballots. That’s a razor-thin difference — less than 1%, to be exact.
This intense showdown highlights a growing two-way rivalry, with Kim and Son becoming the clear frontrunners as their fandoms clash with strategic precision every month.
What’s Behind Kim Jihoon’s Winning Streak?
Consistency is king. Fans continue to rally behind Kim not just for his performances, but also for his steady engagement and genuine connection with supporters. July was particularly special — his birthday and military discharge likely added fuel to the fandom fire, galvanizing fans into an extra-fervent voting mode.
Who Else Made the Top 10?
Third place belonged to Min Suhyeon with 8,775 votes (9.9%), demonstrating a steady fanbase even if the gap from the top two is wide.
- 4th: Jin Wook – 5,854 votes (6.6%)
- 5th: Choon Gil – 5,478 votes (6.2%)
- 6th: Kim Joongyeon – 3,481 votes (3.9%)
- 7th: Yoo Chaehoon – 2,254 votes (2.6%)
- 8th: Kim Yongbin – 1,986 votes
- 9th: Lee Sollomon – 1,319 votes
- 10th: Cho Minkyu – 1,055 votes
Despite not being in the top-tier, these artists continue to shine and stir applause with loyal fanbases and consistent activity.
Falling Stars and Possible Comebacks
Though former high-ranker Austin Kim dropped from fourth to twelfth (671 votes), his group ForteNA remains active. Fans believe a strong comeback could be on the horizon.
Other names to watch include Nam Seungmin, Park Minsoo, and rookie standout Eunho from PLAVE — all of whom rank just outside the Top 10 but show signs of growing support.
More Than Popularity: Fandom Strategy on Display
The Netizen Awards are becoming more than just a popularity contest — they’re a monthly pulse-check on rising stars, giving fans the power to shape the K-pop landscape through digital organizing, community outreach, and voting drives.
With fandoms like Kim Jihoon’s and Son Bina’s now in strategic mode, August’s results are already sparking buzz. Will the streak continue, or will we see an upset? Stay tuned — and maybe cast your vote while you’re at it.
