BTS US Favorability Record 46 Percent: Group Achieves Historic Peak in Q2 Luminate Survey
Global pop icon BTS has reached a historic milestone in the United States, with a record-high 46 percent of Americans expressing a positive impression of the group in the second quarter of 2026.
According to an official release by BigHit Music on Friday, August 14, 2026, the data compiled by global music analytics firm Luminate represents the highest favorability rating recorded for BTS since tracking began in 2021.
Historic Growth in American Public Perception
The 46 percent figure marks a dramatic 12 percentage point increase from the initial 34 percent favorability rating recorded in 2021, underscoring BTS’s steadily expanding cultural influence across North America.
| Poll Parameter | Luminate Q2 Survey Findings |
| Artist | BTS (BigHit Music / HYBE) |
| Metric Tracked | U.S. General Public Favorability |
| Q2 Record Rating | 46% (Historic High) |
| Growth Since 2021 | +12% increase (Up from 34%) |
| U.S. Awareness | 42% (vs. 24% industry average for surveyed acts) |
Furthermore, the poll revealed that 42 percent of U.S. respondents were familiar with BTS—an awareness rate 18 percentage points higher than the 24 percent average for all artists included in the survey.
Broadening Reach Beyond Core Fandom
BigHit Music emphasized that the latest polling data highlights how BTS’s popularity has transcended traditional K-pop fandom boundaries into mainstream American culture.
[BTS U.S. Cultural Expansion Milestones]
├── 2021 Baseline: 34% U.S. favorability rating
├── Major Highlights: Stadium tours, FIFA World Cup halftime showcase
└── Q2 2026 Peak: 46% U.S. favorability rating & 42% general awareness
“The latest survey results clearly demonstrate that BTS has established a broad, enduring base of public support in the United States that extends far beyond its core fandom.”
— BigHit Music Official Statement
Sustained Momentum in the American Market
The record-breaking favorability metrics follow major U.S. appearances and milestones, including their recent high-profile performances and chart longevity on the Billboard 200 with their latest album release, “Arirang”.
Through the BTS US Favorability Record 46 Percent milestone, BTS continues to solidify its position as one of the most recognized and positively regarded musical acts in modern American pop culture.
