Hwang Young-woong Reigns Supreme at 2025 Netizen Awards
Another month, another mic drop moment for trot king Hwang Young-woong. In the latest round of the Netizen Awards—a fan-driven poll celebrating Korea’s brightest stars—the August 2025 “Fanbook Grand Prize” for the Brand category saw Hwang Young-woong secure first place with a commanding 87,697 votes, clocking in at a 31.4% share. That’s not just a win—it’s a statement.
Who’s Chasing the Crown? Female Acts and Trot Stars Lead the Charge
Coming in hot on Hwang’s heels is Jeong Seo-joo, scoring 47,053 votes (16.9%) and standing tall as the only female artist capable of sparring with the frontrunner. Her consistent top-tier rank speaks volumes about her loyal fanbase and staying power.
Meanwhile, Son Tae-jin (23,394 votes, 8.4%) and My Jin (21,601 votes, 7.7%) aren’t just sitting pretty in third and fourth—they’re doubling down on individuality and vocal prowess, keeping the trot scene fiercely competitive.
Mid-Tier Madness: Races Go Down to the Wire
The 5th to 10th rank range brought literal nail-biters, with fan clubs clearly hustling overtime. Bin Ye-seo claimed 5th with 17,587 votes (6.3%), trailed closely by the smooth-toned Park Ji-hyun in 6th (15,351 votes, 5.5%).
In 7th, Kim Hye-yoon pulled in 14,683 votes (5.3%), proving that her dramatic chops have translated into broad audience love. Enoch (14,020 votes) and heartthrob Jang Min-ho (13,968 votes) clinched 8th and 9th respectively, with less than 100 votes separating them—talk about edge-of-your-seat tension. Rounding out the top 10 was actor Byun Woo-seok (5,869 votes), flexing his cross-genre appeal.
Veteran Vibes & Genre Diversity Fill Ranks 11–15
These mid-ranked stars may not have hit the podium, but their continued resonance with fans says it all. Jeong Dong-won edged into 11th with 5,325 votes. Followed by the classical-crossover group Liberante (3,834 votes), and Trot queen Song Ga-in in 13th (2,760 votes).
Vocal group Fortena came in at 14th with 2,269 votes, and the legendary Cho Yong-pil closed out the group in 15th with 2,125—proof that Golden Era icons still have their cheering sections.
Idols, Actors, Icons: A Wildly Eclectic Top 20
It gets delightfully unpredictable from here. Indie rock band Jannabi nabbed 16th (569 votes), while drama darling Lee Se-young placed 17th (526 votes). Rising name Jung Soo-bin landed in 18th, while BLACKPINK’s Jennie made a surprise appearance at 19th (144 votes). And finally, BTS’s Jimin rounded out the leaderboard with 14 precious votes—because even a handful of ARMY can move mountains.
The Real Story? Fandom Power Never Sleeps
The August 2025 numbers tell a bigger story: fandoms are in it to win it. Whether it’s the endurance of Trot veterans or the burst of love toward actors and K-pop idols, the Fanbook Grand Prize rankings prove that fan engagement is more alive than ever.
Maybe Hwang Young-woong continues his reign into September—or maybe a dark horse surges from behind. In the Netizen Awards universe, anything is possible. One click, one vote, one fandom army can change the tide overnight.
FAQs
What is the Fanbook Grand Prize in the Netizen Awards?
The Fanbook Grand Prize is part of the Netizen Awards, a monthly popularity poll that lets fans vote for their favorite Korean stars across entertainment categories. The Brand category highlights personal brand influence across music, acting, and genre lines.
Who won the August 2025 Fanbook Grand Prize?
Hwang Young-woong won the August 2025 Fanbook Grand Prize in the Brand category, earning over 87,000 votes—a 31.4% share of total ballots cast.
Which idols or actors made the Top 20 in August 2025?
Among idols and actors, Byun Woo-seok, Lee Se-young, Jennie (BLACKPINK), and Jimin (BTS) ranked within the Top 20, showcasing how diverse fanbases powered stars from K-pop, K-dramas, and beyond.
