July’s Tightest K-pop Race Is Heating Up
In a battle hotter than Korea’s summer sun, the July edition of the Neostar Award—a netizen-powered K-pop vote to crown the next breakout sensation—is turning into a full-blown two-horse race. As of 10:17 AM on July 26, Kim Jihoon leads with 22,232 votes (31.0%), closely trailed by Son Bina, who racked up 21,652 votes (30.2%). That’s a razor-thin margin of just 580 votes.
Two Fandoms, One Goal
This isn’t your average popularity contest. Fans are going all in—refreshing pages, grinding through daily votes, rallying on social media. Jihoon, known for his consistent fandom backing and strong vote retention, held the top spot early on. But Bina is surging fast, riding a late-July rise fueled by energized support and strategic voting from her fanbase.
Surprise Playoff in the Works?
With the final weekend looming, both fan armies are revving up. The weekend votes could tip the scale either way. It’s a classic veteran-stability vs. underdog-momentum scenario—and both sides are playing to win.
Meanwhile, in the Mid-Tier Rankings…
Things are getting competitive beyond the top two as well. Min Soohyun currently holds third place with 7,184 votes (10.0%), followed by Jinwook (4,660 votes, 6.5%) and Chun Gil (4,234 votes, 5.9%). These rising artists are benefitting from the growing clout of trot (Korean traditional-style pop) fandoms, known for their organization and loyalty.
What Is the Neostar Award?
The Neostar Award isn’t just about who’s trending now—it’s about who fans believe will truly define the future of the K-pop scene. Held monthly, the award lionizes new talents tipped to shape the next era of the Korean music industry. Thanks to the passionate voting of global K-pop fans, it’s become a key spotlight for rising talent.
So, Who Will Take July’s Crown?
Will Kim Jihoon defend his throne, or will Son Bina pull off a dramatic weekend upset? One thing is clear: This face-off is about more than fan votes. It’s a microcosm of K-pop’s ever-changing landscape—where new stars can rise at any second, and passionate fandoms are the real kingmakers.
Stay tuned for the weekend finale—because in this K-pop race, every vote counts.
