ENHYPEN’s narrow victory in Mura Pop Season 2 is the headline event.
Analysts say streaming numbers and chart performance are reshaping the balance of power between agencies.
Fandom activity and competition between online platforms are both the context for these rankings and the key things to watch next.
The global stage and fandom power — who is ahead?
Overview
Fandoms are changing the game.
This piece reviews the numbers and events that shaped 2025–2026.
ENHYPEN’s win on Mura Pop Season 2 and each group’s chart performance are the main indicators.
The article analyzes data, visible trends, and the competitive posture between agencies.
In rankings published over the past year, BTS took first place, while ENHYPEN and Stray Kids fought closely for second and third.
Notably, ENHYPEN’s “Sweet Venom” narrowly won Mura Pop Season 2 (a South Korean televised music competition) with 1,778 points — a moment that condensed fandom rivalry and media reaction.
However, a single tally does not tell the whole story.
Streaming totals, music-video views, short-form video spread (for example, YouTube Shorts and TikTok-style clips), and regional consumption patterns all interact to produce these outcomes.
Data must be read in pieces.
For example, a metric showing Stray Kids’ monthly To10 streams about 25% higher than ENHYPEN reveals differences in platform audiences and listening habits.
Conversely, the overall media attention for groups under HYBE benefits from BTS’s legacy and gives the agency symbolic advantage.
JYP’s strategy, by contrast, focuses on steady online content and region-tailored promotion to build results over time.
Background
The rivalry is intense.
K-pop’s global expansion has combined with platform ecosystems to create a new economic landscape.
Agencies are diversifying revenue beyond music: tours, merchandising, licensing, and platform partnerships are now central.
Investment decisions, capital allocation, global touring, and licensing deals act as key levers.
HYBE leans on BTS’s brand power while organizing global pushes for follow-up acts such as ENHYPEN and TXT.
Investment here goes beyond production budgets; it covers content platforms, intellectual property expansion, and merchandise channels.
JYP centers its efforts on Stray Kids, emphasizing fan mobilization and online virality to secure streaming success.
Though approaches differ, both agencies share the same goal: a sustainable revenue model in global markets.
Meanwhile, platform operators and distributors play a role by using algorithms and curation to amplify certain songs and artists.
YouTube Shorts, short-form competitors, and global streaming playlists all shape how quickly a track spreads.
Therefore, agencies must manage not just music production but content design and online marketing.
All these elements combine to create rankings and media buzz.
Case for HYBE’s advantage
HYBE’s position looks strong.
The agency’s argument is straightforward.
BTS’s cultural impact lifts the value of the entire roster.
That makes it easier for ENHYPEN and TXT to reach global audiences.
First, brand power matters.
BTS serves as a cultural asset for K-pop worldwide.
Other HYBE acts benefit from increased media exposure and collaborative opportunities.
Second, institutional capacity is key.
HYBE has built repeatable investment patterns for artist development and global expansion.
This shows up in content production, tour organization, IP licensing, and merchandise distribution.
Even if HYBE loses some short-term streaming battles, its platform and capital can restore balance over time.
Third, data use is a differentiator.
HYBE deploys big data and consumer analytics to segment targets and run region-specific campaigns.
That approach helps manage global fandoms more reliably.
Additionally, access to investment and financing enables bigger tours and higher-quality content.
Together, brand, capital, and operational skill suggest HYBE’s structural edge.
HYBE’s structural advantage implies persistence beyond temporary figures.
This view is supported by the company’s financial strategies and expanding global partnerships.
Still, that edge can be vulnerable to shifts in streaming habits and platform dynamics.
Case for Stray Kids’ advantage
Results tell a different story.
JYP’s argument centers on measurable performance.
Stray Kids’ monthly To10 streaming advantage — roughly 25% higher than ENHYPEN — is central evidence.
That reflects real consumer behavior and signals competitive strength.
First, platform consumption matters.
Stray Kids shows clear streaming advantages that translate to tangible competitiveness.
This pattern comes from repeated listening among younger listeners and strong short-form content engagement.
Second, musical identity matters.
Stray Kids has a distinct sound and performance concept that differentiates them.
Fans demonstrate loyalty not just in numbers but in how they consume content.
Third, growth indicators are encouraging.
Streaming dominance suggests Stray Kids is acquiring new fans and expanding geographically.
This can be seen as the formation of a lasting listening base rather than a temporary trend.
Thus, the claim that Stray Kids may have greater long-term growth potential than ENHYPEN is plausible.
A streaming lead often converts into revenue and sustained fandom.
This argument carries weight in a market dominated by digital consumption.
Nevertheless, it cannot ignore the influence of brand legacy and capital.
Escalation and concerns
Tensions are flaring.
Fan rivalry boosts content consumption but also fuels division and abusive comments.
Short-lived versus (VS) content creates spikes in attention but strains relationships.
This poses costs to artists and the industry.
First, fan conflict.
Rankings and streaming metrics are directly tied to brand value, so some groups resort to aggressive tactics.
That generates mental and social burdens for artists.
Second, platform neutrality is at stake.
Algorithms and distribution models that magnify certain content can disadvantage other artists.
Such an environment risks producing predictable winners and reducing diversity.
Third, industrial imbalance is real.
Differences in capital and networks between large agencies and smaller labels change the starting line for competition.
This affects creative careers and job stability across the music sector.
If the ecosystem’s balance is ignored, long-term health may decline.
Outlook and implications
Change is underway.
Key things to watch are platform design and fan-culture maturity.
Agency strategy and investment preferences will shape future standings.
Therefore, strategic choices by all stakeholders matter.
First, sustained agency investment matters.
Content quality, global networks, and tour planning drive long-term profitability beyond short trends.
Second, a healthier relationship between platforms and creators is needed.
Fair algorithms and transparent payouts improve industry stability.
Third, fan culture must mature.
If fandoms view themselves as cultural contributors and accept responsibility, conflicts may ease.
Education and platform rules can help, while agencies and platforms should encourage positive fan participation.
Conclusion
The point is clear.
The ranking battle among BTS, ENHYPEN, and Stray Kids goes beyond a simple popularity contest.
It reflects a complex interaction of capital, platforms, and fandom behavior.
So evaluations and responses must be multilayered.
Ultimately, the outcome will depend more on sustainable fandoms and business planning than on short-term metrics.
Numbers matter, but they do not predict the future alone.
Watch agency strategy, platform governance, and fan culture for the next phase.
Which metric do you trust most?
