As of May 6, 2025, 5:30 p.m., the May edition of the Netizen Awards is heating up, especially in the ‘Neostar’ category for rising artists. Kim Jihoon leads the pack with 4,799 votes (28.0%), closely followed by Austin Kim, who trails by just 439 votes at 4,360 (25.4%). It’s a tight race between the two, keeping fans on edge.
But the real surprise comes in third place. Son Bina, who has quickly emerged as a fan favorite and “rising icon” in this edition, has garnered 2,065 votes (12.0%). Known for cultivating a loyal fanbase over time, Son Bina is now flexing her popularity and making major waves in the rankings.
The mid-tier rankings are just as competitive. Min Soohyun (1,319 votes, 7.7%) and Jinwook (1,307 votes, 7.6%) follow closely in fourth and fifth places—separated by a mere 12 votes. Other notable names include Kim Joongyeon in sixth (737 votes, 4.3%), Kim Yongbin in seventh (611 votes, 3.6%), and Yoo Chaehun in eighth (574 votes, 3.3%).
Eesolomon comes in ninth with 463 votes (2.7%), while Jo Minkyu rounds out the top ten with 203 votes (1.2%). Just below, names like Nam Seungmin (178 votes), Lee Seungyoon (135 votes), and Park Minsoo (120 votes) show that underdogs aren’t out of the race just yet.
Further down the list, PLAVE’s Eunho (75 votes), Choi Jaemyung (70 votes), and Yang Ji-won (66 votes) are in a close three-way battle. Rounding out the bottom are Cheon Rokdam (26 votes), MiiAi (22 votes), Kiki (17 votes), and Lee Donggyu (14 votes).
This year’s Neostar category has become a battleground where emerging talents and experienced artists seeking resurgence collide. Among them, Son Bina’s rise is especially noteworthy—not just as a possible winner, but as a barometer for future trends in the industry. With several days left until the final vote count, fans are watching closely to see who might make a last-minute leap.
