Lee Junho is proving that while his acting career has skyrocketed him to the status of a household name, he has never lost his touch as the legendary "Ace" of 2PM. In the highly competitive 234th "Star Ranking Male Idol" vote conducted from April 16 to April 23, Junho secured a staggering 18,799 votes, firmly planting himself at the 2 spot.
The Battle of the Titans
To understand the weight of this achievement, one only needs to look at the leaderboard. The voting arena was filled with some of the most influential names in the global music industry, yet Junho managed to hold his ground with a lineup featuring the giants of K-pop. The final tally was:
1st Place: BTS Jimin (41,475 votes), 2nd Place: 2PM Lee Junho (18,799 votes), 3rd Place: BTS Jin (9,486 votes), 4th Place: BTS Jungkook, 5th Place: BTS V.
Securing the runner-up position amidst the global impact of BTS is no small feat. It is a testament to the ironclad loyalty of his fandom, a group of supporters who have followed him from his high-energy 2PM stage days to his award-winning performances on the big screen.
Why the "Star Ranking" Matters
For the uninitiated, the "Star Ranking" is far more than just a popularity contest. According to WikiPickyMedia’s analysis of fan-engagement platforms, these votes serve as a raw, real-time barometer of an artist’s cultural influence and the dedication level of their core fan base.
Fan-Powered Influence: Unlike traditional chart rankings that are often influenced by distribution algorithms or corporate marketing, this ranking is 100% fan-driven. It is a direct measure of how "active" a fandom is in 2026.
Tangible Rewards: The stakes are high. The artist who claims the #1 spot for four consecutive weeks earns an exclusive outdoor billboard advertisement. This gives fans the power to physically project their idol’s success into the public sphere, creating a sense of shared accomplishment.
The Secret to Lee Junho’s Longevity
How does a member of a "classic" K-pop group maintain this level of relevancy in 2026? It’s all about the balance.
Junho has mastered the art of the "dual career." He hasn't left his idol identity behind; he has evolved it. By seamlessly transitioning between chart-topping music performances and critically acclaimed acting roles, he captures audiences across different generations. Fans don't just see him as an actor or a singer but they see him as a complete performer, an "Ace" who respects the stage as much as the set.