A survey of 1,625 people aged 16 or over living in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province showed that “Shining Inheritance” stars Lee Seung Gi and Han Hyo Joo posted sharp rises in ranking, compared with the first-half of the year. Brand38, a local brand consulting company, conducted the surveys.

Lee Seung Gi saw his ranking soar from 23rd in the first half to 4th. Han Hyo Joo, who had not been ranked in the first half, came in at 17th.

Lee Seung Gi and actress Han Hyo-joo have been picked as rising ad models for the second half of this year

In the latest survey, comedian Yoo Jae Suk and figure skater Kim Yuna ranked first and second, respectively. In the first half, Kim and Yoo were first and second.

SNSD, one of South Korea’s leading pop idol groups, and boy band 2PM took third and seventh places, respectively, emerging from low rankings.

In contrast, traditionally high-placed actors such as Jang Dong Gun and Jeon Ji Hyun suffered sharp falls in their rankings.

Cr: Koreatimes + shared & edited by kpoprants@wp