South Korea has given the world one of the most popular music genres ever: Kpop. It’s also given thousands of screaming fans their favorite Kpop idols. Kpop idols are larger-than-life celebrities, just as famous for their outsized personalities as for their music. And when it comes to their wealth, Kpop idols are some of the richest stars worldwide.
There are many Kpop idols on the music scene today, and many of them have legions of merchandise-buying fans. So, which of them is the wealthiest? We’ve tallied up your favorite Kpop idols’ salaries, including the money they make from endorsements, their assets, and the money they make through investing, to give you the richest Kpop celebrities in the world today.
Jin Young Park
Park Jin-Young, also known as Jin Young Park, J.Y. Park, or JYP, is the richest K pop idol in the world. He began his Kpop career in the 90s as part of the Park Jin Young and the New Generation trio. He found much greater success, though, as a solo act. He is mainly well known for “Don’t Leave Me,” his solo debut.
While this Korean pop star made a large amount of money from his singing career, his real wealth comes from starting his own company, JYP Entertainment. JYP Entertainment is a record label, a production company, a talent agency, and an event management company. It has produced other popular Kpop bands like Wonder Girls, 2 AM, 2 PM, and Loud.
In addition to his work in the company, JYP has also become a songwriter for other artists. He became the first Korean songwriter to chart on Billboard’s Hot 100 for “Nobody,” which he wrote for the Wonder Girls. He also releases new singles himself from time to time.
JYP is worth $250 million, more than twice as much as his nearest competitor.
Kim Jaejoong
Kim Jaejoong is worth nearly 90 million dollars, and that’s because he is quite possibly the busiest person in the entire world. He was a member of not one but two popular Kpop groups: TVXQ and JYJ. In addition to his work as a singer, he’s also a songwriter. He’s also ventured into the world of film, working as both an actor and a director. He is also a famous fashion designer, selling his designs through his own clothing store.
Kim Jaejoong owns a string of coffee shops in multiple countries, as well as a bar and restaurant. Not content with all these endeavors, he decided to get into real estate investing and did very well there, unsurprisingly.
Jaejoong is also famous for his collection of luxury cars, including a Rolls Royce Wraith, a Ferrari 458, and a Bentley Continental.
Kwon Ji-Yong (G-Dragon)
The second runner-up for richest Kpop idol in the world is Kwon Ji-Yong, better known to his fans as G-Dragon. He is a solo artist and a singer for the Kpop phenomenon Big Bang. Ji-Yong has also written more than 180 Big Bang songs, including the hit “Haru Haru.”
This Kpop phenomenon makes more than $700,000 a year just from his songwriting royalties. His endorsement deals make him the big bucks, though, averaging $2 million for each one. G-Dragon has also done work as a model and a fashion designer, helping Nike to create its Peaceminusone PARANOISE line of shoes. Finally, he has also invested in many restaurants, cafes, and real estate.
Kwon Ji-Yong’s work has collectively earned him a net worth of $65 million.
PSY
You’ve got to hand it to PSY; he’s got perseverance. His 2001 debut album, PSY… From the Psycho World didn’t amount to much more than a fine for explicit content. His follow-up album didn’t do much better either. His third album started to make him a little money, but it wasn’t much of a success. His fourth and fifth albums were essentially the same.
However, his sixth album is where he hit the big time. This was the album that featured his worldwide mega-hit “Gangnam Style.” He made almost $30 million from that one song alone. And it propelled him into the kind of fame that kept his music selling well.
Today, he has branched out beyond Gangnam Style. He is now a producer and makes a significant amount of money with his Instagram posts. He is also a television and film star, and has done well with endorsement deals. PSY is currently worth 60 million dollars.
Jung Ji-hoon (Rain)
Rain is tied with PSY at $60 million and has been a success since he stepped into public awareness. His first album was a hit, and the six albums he’s put out since then have all done extraordinarily well. This south Korean singer has also starred in several Korean and American movies. Rain and his famous actress wife Kim Tae-hee are the richest celebrity couple in South Korea. Together, they own an opulent $5 million mansion.
Lee Hyori
Lee Hyori debuted as a member of the girl group Fin. K.L., but found tremendous popularity as a solo artist. Her debut solo album won several Artist of the Year awards. She’s also become well-known for her TV appearances. Besides entertaining, she is famous for her social activism, advocacy for animals, and charity work. She is currently worth $36 million.
Choi Siwon
Choi Siwon is a Super Junior member, one of the biggest Kpop bands between 2007 and 2017. Not only does he sing, but he is a songwriter and an actor. He’s been in several big movies, such as Oh! My Lady and Dragon Blade.
This Korean idol is also notable for being the first Kpop star to have 3 million followers on Twitter and for his endorsement deals. He endorses products in South Korea, China, and Thailand.
He is worth $55 million, but it should be noted that he will almost certainly reach the number one spot on the list of richest Kpop idols. His family owns the lucrative Hyundai Department Store chain (worth $500 million). Eventually, he may be even wealthier than Jin Young Park when he inherits his family's fortune.
Sandara Park (Dara)
Although Dara became a famous Kpop idol as a member of 2NE1, that was her second encounter with fame. Before that, she was well-known in the Philippines because she took second place on Star Circle Quest, a popular reality TV show. She’s worth $32 million.
Lee Ji-Eun (IU)
IU, born Lee Ji-Eun, is one of the wealthiest Kpop stars in the world, worth $28 million. She got her start in Korean pop at the age of 15 as a singer and songwriter, and has since become one of the most famous Kpop idols in Korea. Her song “I Give You My Heart” rocketed to the top of the music charts within three hours of its release.
Her “Good Day” album is one of the most successful Kpop albums. She has not only written over 50 of her own songs, but she has also written a significant number of songs for movies and TV shows.
IU has made a lot of money from song royalties, but she has also profited significantly from endorsements, with more than 50 under her belt. Her success has allowed her to make her home in Caelitus, one of Korea's most luxurious apartment complexes. She has also used some of her fortune to create scholarships and donate to charities.
Kwon Bo-ah (BoA)
BoA is such a powerful and influential Kpop artist that she is known to many as “the Queen of Kpop.” She’s amazingly multilingual. She can sing well in Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, and English, which has propelled her to stardom in China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. Her net worth is currently $25 million, with a sizable fandom growing in America.
