From BTS members Jungkook and V to Ok-pop idols PSY and IU, uncover who’s making the massive bucks within the Ok-pop business.
From chart-topping hit singles and a number of platinum albums to luxurious model collaborations, silver display appearances and actual property investments, get the inside track on the richest Korean idols and uncover who’s making the massive bucks on the earth of Ok-pop.
During the last 20 years, Korean music has loved huge success, with its musicians creating an exceptional Ok-pop fandom each inside the nation and past its borders. Moreover, the Hallyu wave has not simply propelled a complete new technology of Korean actors into the worldwide limelight but additionally launched the world to among the largest names within the Korean music business.
Be it South Korean singer PSY from the “Gangnam Type” fame or the BTS members Jungkook and V, these Ok-pop idols have efficiently solidified their solo in addition to group music careers, together with minting profitable model offers and acting at sold-out live shows, which additional augments their exponential internet worths.
The richest Ok-pop idols and what they personal
PSY
Estimated internet value: USD 60 million
Park Jae-sang, popularly identified by his stage title PSY, is a profitable South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter and file producer. One of many richest Ok-pop idols, PSY gained worldwide fame after releasing the catchy title monitor “Gangnam Type” from his sixth album, Psy 6 (Six Guidelines), Half 1, in 2012.
On 21 August 2012, the music topped the iTunes Music Video Charts, surpassing hits by the likes of Justin Bieber and Katy Perry. On 24 November of the identical yr, “Gangnam Type” turned the most-viewed video in YouTube historical past as much as that date. As of 2023, it has been seen over 4 billion instances on the video streaming channel.
The Ok-pop star, who shaped his personal firm, P Nation, in 2019, has different hit tracks to his credit score as effectively. These embrace “Proper Now”, “It’s Artwork”, “Urbanite” and “That That”. The final one, a collaborative effort with BTS rapper Suga, surpassed 200 million streams on Spotify in Could 2023. The music went on to win Finest Collaboration on the 2022 MAMA Awards and debuted at #80 on Billboard Scorching 100.
Moreover music and group performances, the singer-rapper has additionally ventured into the world of advertisements and commercials. PSY was introduced because the model ambassador for the favored MMORPG (massively multiplayer on-line role-playing sport) set, Ragnarok Origin, in 2022. In response to sources, the movie star earns an estimated USD 8 million from endorsement offers with manufacturers like Samsung and Cruciani.
Moreover, PSY is the proud proprietor of a USD 1.25 million condominium on Wilshire Boulevard within the coronary heart of Los Angeles, US. The musician additionally owns an unbiased espresso shop-cum-art gallery named Takeout Drawing in Itaewon, Seoul, valued at USD 50 million.
IU
Estimated internet value: USD 40-45 million
From ruling the music and style business to sweeping accolades for her performances in a number of Ok-dramas and films, singer Lee Ji Eun, aka IU, has established herself as probably the most profitable Hallyu stars of the period.
It was in April 2009 that IU launched her first album, Rising Up. It offered over 31,000 copies in Korea’s Circle Gaon chart and gave IU her first High 25 hits “Boo” and “Hey (Rock Ver.)”. A few of her different hit tracks are “Strawberry Moon”, “Lilac”, “eight” and “Superstar”. Moreover, her collaboration with rapper Agust D for “Individuals Pt.2” in 2023 earned her the #1 spot on Billboard Digital Music Gross sales.
The “Lilac” singer made her appearing debut in 2011 with the TV sequence Dream Excessive. She additionally made her Cannes Movie Pageant debut with the 2022 film Dealer. Her April 2023 film Dream turned the primary Korean movie to land atop the field workplace inside 50 days of its launch since The Satan’s Deal in March 2023. In the meantime, IU’s upcoming mission, Thank You for Your Onerous Work, co-starring Park Bo-gum, is about to premiere on Netflix in 2025.
IU has additionally endorsed an enormous array of manufacturers, together with video video games, clothes manufacturers, cosmetics and confectionery. She has additionally been the face of manufacturers like Samsung, Nongshim, ISOI, The Similar, Qdush (China), G by Guess, Woori Monetary Group, Chamisul Soju, Jeju Samdasoo and Homeplus. Moreover, the singer was made the worldwide ambassador for the luxurious style home Gucci in March 2022.
As for luxurious properties, IU is the proprietor of a lavish penthouse value USD 11.7 million in Eterno Cheongdam, Seoul. She additionally owns residences in Bangbae, Yangpyeong-gun and Gwacheon.
Taeyang
Estimated internet value: USD 40 million
Dong Younger-bae, aka Taeyang, of the Ok-pop group BIGBANG is understood for his musical prowess and magnetic stage presence. He’s additionally among the many richest idols in Ok-pop. Whereas most of his earnings come from his music, luxurious style collaborations and shareholdings in one of many largest leisure businesses in South Korea, YG Leisure, additionally add immensely to his ever-growing internet value.
In response to The Korea Herald, Taeyang and his fellow BIGBANG member G-Dragon invested about USD 3 million of their former company, YG Leisure, in 2016. In the meantime, Taeyang and his spouse, actor Min Hyo-rin, personal a property value USD 13.2 million in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Taeyang has a 94 per cent share of the property’s possession, whereas the remaining 6 per cent belongs to his spouse, studies the South China Morning Put up. Taeyang has a surprising purple Lexus value USD 95,000 as effectively.
To not overlook, Taeyang’s costly curation by the favored Korean-American artist Nam June Paik, which is reportedly over USD 500,000.
Taeyang can be the primary ever Korean male artist to develop into the face of the French luxurious model Givenchy. The singer was introduced because the model’s world ambassador in January 2023. Of late, a model collaboration between Taeyang and the Japanese streetwear designer Hiroshi Fujiwara’s model, Fragment, led to a particular merchandise drop within the form of flannels, caps and tees in August 2023.
J-Hope
Estimated internet value: USD 24-26 million
One of many richest Ok-pop idols, Jung Ho-seok, aka J-Hope, can be the wealthiest member of BTS. The rapper has amassed his huge wealth largely by BTS music manufacturing, album gross sales and songwriting.
The group’s most important dancer, J-Hope can be a soloist with a number of chartbreaking data to his title. He launched his first solo mixtape, Hope World, in 2018. Different milestones to his credit score are hit singles like “Rooster Noodle Soup” feat Becky G, “On the Avenue” with J. Cole and his 2022 album Jack within the Field. Moreover, the latter turned probably the most streamed album by a Korean Soloist in 2022 and garnered 345.1 million streams on Spotify.
Moreover music manufacturing, J-Hope’s high-end model collaborations make a large addition to his staggering internet value. The rapper turned Louis Vuitton’s home ambassador on 24 January 2023. The Ok-pop star has additionally been featured in a number of commercials with nationwide and worldwide manufacturers, resembling PUMA’s Blaze of Glory (BOG) Sock sneaker marketing campaign, LG and Samsung.
Moreover, the singer additionally owns a luxurious house in Seoul’s Forest Trimage advanced. The house was purchased for USD 1.2 million in 2016, making J-Hope the primary BTS member to purchase his personal abode. In response to the South China Morning Put up, the “1 Verse” crooner went on to purchase a second unit in the identical advanced alongside his bandmate Jungkook. The rapper can be the proprietor of Porsche Carrera 911, which prices about USD 84,000.
Suga
Estimated internet value: USD 23-25 million
BTS’ lead rapper, Suga has collaborated with many worldwide artists, resembling Halsey, ØMI and Steve Aoki as part of BTS and labored on solo initiatives below his alias Agust D. His newest world tour, D-Day, turned the highest-grossing live performance by a Korean soloist in US historical past, gathering USD 2.970 million every night time at UBS Enviornment in New York on 26-27 April 2023.
One of many richest Ok-pop idols and the second-richest BTS member, Suga has written and produced over 70 songs for BTS, singers IU, PSY and different musicians.
Moreover music, Suga has additionally ventured into the style world. The Ok-pop idol turned Valentino’s world model ambassador on 17 January 2023 and is now the face of the model’s Maison Valentino Necessities marketing campaign for males. He has additionally joined the model’s Di.VA ambassador household alongside celebrities like British F1 racer Lewis Hamilton and Li Ronghao. One other feat added to his checklist of brand name collaborations contains turning into the NBA’s world ambassador on 5 April 2023.
Suga has additionally invested in a property positioned in an unique residential space, UN Village, in Seoul. The house is near the Han River and affords mesmerising views of Namsan Mountain. The “Amygdala” singer additionally owns a Hyundai Palisade value USD 47,000.
Jungkook
Estimated internet value: USD 20-22 million
Adoringly known as the golden maknae, Jungkook is without doubt one of the hottest members of BTS alongside V. He has co-produced a number of record-breaking hits like “Euphoria” and “Keep Alive” with BTS. Nonetheless, with the group’s members beginning their army enlistment, the singer has been focussing on solo actions for some time now.
In 2022, he collaborated with American singer-record producer Charlie Puth for “Left And Proper”, which broke a number of Billboard data. His solo single, “Seven”, that includes Latto, formally turned the quickest music to surpass 1 billion streams in Spotify historical past on 30 October 2023.
In the meantime, his 2023 debut solo album, Golden, offered over 2 million copies in a single day, making Jungkook the primary soloist to attain the feat in Hanteo historical past in Korea. With Golden, Jungkook additionally turned the primary Ok-pop soloist in historical past to have an album spend a number of weeks within the prime 10 on the Billboard 200.
Moreover, Jungkook was introduced as Calvin Klein’s world ambassador in 2023. In response to studies, gross sales for Calvin Klein skyrocketed after the discharge of Jungkook’s marketing campaign with the model.
The BTS member can be the proprietor of a fancy property within the elite space of Itaewon in Yongsan, Seoul. In response to Korean media, the worldwide star purchased the property for USD 7 million in November 2021.
On 16 November 2022, media outlet Newsen reported {that a} Mercedes Benz AMG G63 Version, which was apparently owned and pushed by the BTS maknae himself, was discovered on Blacklot — an public sale website that largely specialises in uncommon objects.
V
Estimated internet value: USD 20-22 million
BTS’ lead vocalist Kim Taehyung, aka V, is without doubt one of the richest and most headline-grabbing Ok-pop idols.
A few of his hottest hits with BTS embrace “Singularity”, “Stigma”, “Blue & Gray”, “Butter”, “Dynamite” and “Life Goes On”. His 2023 debut solo album, Layover, offered over 2 million copies in its first week of launch, making V the primary Korean soloist to attain the feat since Jo Sung-mo’s “Let Me Love” in 2000. In response to Hanteo, Layover is now the best-selling solo album of all time in South Korea, together with Jungkook’s Golden.
V has additionally made his mark within the style business. In July 2023, V was named the latest model ambassador for the luxurious jewelry home Cartier and the face of the model’s Panthère de Cartier marketing campaign. In the meantime, the singer’s participation on the 2022 Paris Vogue Week Celine present because the model’s world ambassador was chosen as one of many “Finest Vogue Moments of 2022″ by the US style journal Vogue.
Moreover, the BTS member is the proprietor of an expensive house within the posh Gangnam district of South Korea. In response to a number of Korean media retailers, the property’s value is USD 4.55 million, and it has a particular artwork room that hardly ever makes its presence felt on his Instagram.
RM
Estimated internet value: USD 20-22 million
Born Kim Namjoon, RM (Rap Monster) is the lead rapper, songwriter, producer and chief of BTS. In response to the Korea Music Copyright Affiliation (KOMCA), RM has over 215 music credit to his title, as of 2023.
In March 2023, his solo debut album Indigo surpassed 300 million streams on Spotify, turning into the quickest album by a Korean soloist to hit the milestone. Furthermore, songs from Indigo offered over 500,000 complete items within the US, as of two March 2023.
“Take Two” from BTS’ 2022 album Proof, which is co-produced by RM, surpassed 1 million distinctive listeners on Melon. Another hits co-written and co-produced by RM embrace “Magic Store” by BTS, “Run BTS” by BTS, “Love U, Hate U” by 2AM and “Don’t” by eAeon.
Whereas most of his wealth comes from royalties and solo music initiatives, RM has additionally appeared in a number of advertisements for multinational companies just like the journey retail firm Lotte Obligation Free and the Florida-based Ok’hawah Espresso. On 30 March 2023, RM turned the primary and solely movie star world ambassador for the style model Bottega Veneta.
One of many richest Ok-pop idols, the chief of BTS is often known as an rising artwork collector and owns among the rarest items in Seoul. An August 2022 Instagram replace of his residence revealed a USD 1.2 million sculpture named Untitled (‘However the boomerang that returns shouldn’t be the identical one I threw’), 2013–17 by American multidisciplinary artist Roni Horn. His residence additionally contains a 150 x 150cm portray titled Disappearing Hometown 730 by Joung Younger Ju value USD 42,100.
Moreover, RM additionally possesses a USD 5.3 million luxurious house in 9 One Hannam, Seoul.
Jisoo
Estimated internet value: 20 million
With a number of accolades to her credit score, Kim Ji-soo, aka Jisoo, has had probably the most profitable careers since her BLACKPINK debut in 2016. She can be probably the most adopted Ok-pop stars on Instagram, with over 76.3 million subscribers.
The primary feminine Ok-pop soloist in historical past to have over 1 million pre-orders, Jisoo made historical past along with her 2023 first solo album, Me. The album surpassed over 400 million streams on Spotify on 31 October 2023.
The South Korean singer additionally achieved her first prime 10 entry on the Digital Music Gross sales chart as a solo artist along with her 2023 debut solo single “Flower.” In response to the information by Billboard‘s information accomplice Luminate, the pop monitor offered 5,700 copies within the first week after its launch on 31 March 2023.
Moreover music charts, the vocalist is even identified to dominate the style world. The wealthiest BLACKPINK member, Jisoo was chosen as the worldwide model ambassador of Dior Vogue and Magnificence in 2021, the place she joined the likes of Natalie Portman, Marion Cotillard and Rihanna. She can be the face of luxurious manufacturers like Cartier and Kiss Me. The Ok-pop idol, who turned Cartier’s world ambassador in 2022, joined the model’s Panthère group alongside celebrities like Annabelle Wallis, Ella Balinska, Chang Chen and Mariacarla Boscono.
Jisoo ventured into appearing along with her debut lead position within the 2021 South Korean drama Snowdrop reverse Korean heartthrob Jung Hae-In. In response to Ok-media studies, the singer-actor earned a whopping USD 80,000 per episode and made a complete of USD 1.28 million for her position within the sequence. The BLACKPINK member has additionally made cameos in hit titles like The Producers (2015) and Arthdal Chronicles (2019).
Baekhyun
Estimated internet value: 17 million
Byun Baek-hyun, well-liked as Baekhyun in Ok-pop, is without doubt one of the richest members of the South Korean group EXO. After a profitable profession as a member of the boy band, Baekhyun commenced his solo profession with the discharge of his debut EP, Metropolis Lights, in 2019. The album offered greater than half one million copies and have become one of many best-selling albums of the yr.
A few of his different record-breaking hits embrace “Bambi”, “Cry For Love”, “For You”, “Sweet” and “Love Once more”. On 5 November 2023, Heartsteel’s “Paranoia” that includes Baekhyun surpassed 20 million streams on Spotify. In the meantime, the Ok-pop star surged previous 4 million month-to-month listeners on Spotify. With this, he gained the best variety of month-to-month listeners amongst all of the soloists of their music label SM Leisure.
His highly effective fame within the Ok-pop music business naturally attracted a slew of endorsements and model collaborations. Baekhyun was appointed the model ambassador for the British Luxurious style home Burberry in 2020. He additional partnered with well-liked manufacturers like Montblanc, TirTir and Life Pharm and launched his streetwear style model Privé Alliance. In 2023, the Ok-pop idol was introduced because the model ambassador for the Indonesian financial institution Allo.
Moreover, Baekhyun is a connoisseur of all issues luxurious. In response to Ok-media studies, he’s identified to drive a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and an Audi RS7, value USD 155,029 and USD 131,271, respectively. The singer additionally reportedly moved into the luxurious villa Lanuvo, nestled inside the costly UN Village of Hannam-dong, Korea.
(Hero picture: Courtesy BLACKPINK/Twitter; Weverse; featured picture: Courtesy Weverse)
Steadily Requested Questions (FAQs)
– Who’s the richest Ok-pop idol?
A number of the richest Ok-pop singers embrace BTS members Jungkook, V, RM, Suga and J-Hope; BLACKPINK members Jisoo and Lisa; BIGBANG’s Taeyang and different Ok-pop singers resembling PSY and EXO’s Baekhyun.
– Is EXO extra well-liked than BTS?
EXO has develop into fairly inactive as a band of late. In response to a number of sources, the most well-liked band on the earth at current is BTS.
– Who has a black card in Ok-pop?
Ok-pop stars with black bank cards are V, Jungkook, Jin, Jennie and G-Dragon.
