Cover Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho are among the richest K-drama actors (Photo: Getty Images)
Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho are among the richest K-drama actors (Photo: Getty Images)
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Kim Soo-hyun, Song Joong-ki, Hyun Bin, Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Min-ho, Song Hye-kyo, and more K-drama stars who are among the highest-paid in the industry
When the Hallyu first arrived on our shores, a lasting effect from the wildly popular 2002 K-drama Winter Sonata starring Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, K-drama actors were far and few in between. However, over the last 20 years, the proliferation of the internet has given rise to the expansion of Korean entertainment and exposure to its celebrities, resulting in a phenomenal global fandom.
Read more: 34 Korean dramas, films, and shows coming to Netflix in 2023
On Netflix, Korean series and films have regularly featured in the streaming giant's Global Top 10 list in more than 90 countries. In fact, three of Netflix's most-watched shows ever are from Korea: Squid Game, All of Us Are Dead, and Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
This phenomenon has also put a whole new generation of Korean actors in the spotlight, emerging as some of the biggest names in Korean entertainment today and of course, making bank off the Hallyu. Meet the 20 Korean actors who are said to be amongst the richest in the industry, based on salary per episode and the number of K-dramas they have done.
Note: These estimated earnings do not include film projects, paid appearances, and brand/commercial endorsements.
1. Kim Soo-hyun
Above Kim Soo-hyun is the richest K-drama actor (Photo: Getty Images)
Kim Soo-hyun is the richest K-drama actor (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$25 million
Watch him in: Dream High (2011), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), My Love from the Star (2013 - 2014), It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
2. So Ji-sub
Above So Ji-sub promoting the 2018 K-drama 'My Secret Terrius' in Taipei (Photo: Getty Images)
So Ji-sub promoting the 2018 K-drama 'My Secret Terrius' in Taipei (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$24 million
Watch him in: I'm Sorry, I Love You (2004), Cain and Abel (2009), Oh My Venus (2015 - 2016), My Secret Terrius (2018), Doctor Lawyer (2022)
Don't miss: 5 K-dramas to watch based on your weekend habits
3. Lee Young-ae
Above Lee Young-ae on location for the 2017 K-drama 'Saimdang, Memoir of Colours' (Photo: Getty Images)
Lee Young-ae on location for the 2017 K-drama 'Saimdang, Memoir of Colours' (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$18 million
Watch her in: Jewel in the Palace (2003), Saimdang, Memoir of Colours (2017), Inspector Koo (2021)
Read more: 5 K-drama female characters who made the first move
4. Choi Ji-woo
Above Choi Ji-woo attending the press conference for the 2016 Lotte Duty Free web drama '7 First Kisses' (Photo: Getty Images)
Choi Ji-woo attending the press conference for the 2016 Lotte Duty Free web drama '7 First Kisses' (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$17 million
Watch her in: Winter Sonata (2002), Stairway to Heaven (2003), Second 20s (2015), 7 First Kisses (2016 - 2017), Sh**ting Stars (2022)
See also: Valentine's Day 2023: 6 iconic K-drama couples of all-time
5. Hyun Bin
Above Hyun Bin at the 'Crash Landing on You' wrap party in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
Hyun Bin at the 'Crash Landing on You' wrap party in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$14 million
Watch him in: Secret Garden (2010 - 2011), Hyde Jekyll, Me (2015), Memories of the Alhambra (2018 - 2019), Crash Landing on You (2019 - 2020)
Don't miss: From 'Vincenzo' to 'Crash Landing on You': 10 filming locations for your bucket list
6. Lee Min-ho
Above Lee Min-ho at the red carpet event for the global premiere of the 2022 K-drama 'Pachinko' (Photo: Getty Images)
Lee Min-ho at the red carpet event for the global premiere of the 2022 K-drama 'Pachinko' (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$13 million
Watch him in: Boys Over Flowers (2009), City Hunter (2011), The Heirs (2013), The King: Eternal Monarch (2020), Pachinko (2022)
Read more: ‘Pachinko’ stars Lee Min-ho and Kim Min-ha get personal about their roles
7. Ji Chang-wook
Above Ji Chang-wook at the Gucci x adidas collaboration event in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
Ji Chang-wook at the Gucci x adidas collaboration event in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$12.5 million
Watch him in: Smile Again (2010 - 2011), Healer (2014 - 2015), The K2 (2016), Lovestruck in the City (2020 - 2021), The Sound of Magic (2022)
See also: 10 highest-rated K-dramas of 2022 so far
8. Jo In-sung
Above Jo In-sung at the showcase of 'The Great Battle' in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
Jo In-sung at the showcase of 'The Great Battle' in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$12 million
Watch him in: Something Happened in Bali (2004), Spring Day (2005), That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013), It's Okay, That's Love (2014)
Don't miss: 10 best K-dramas inspired by webtoons to watch on Netflix
9. Yoo Ah-in
Above Yoo Ah-In attending Netflix's 'Seoul Vibe' press conference in 2022 (Photo: Getty Images)
Yoo Ah-In attending Netflix's 'Seoul Vibe' press conference in 2022 (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$12 million
Watch him in: Six Flying Dragons (2015 - 2016), Burning (2018), Voice of Silence (2020), Hellbound (2021)
Read more: Netflix: The making of ‘Hellbound’, the thrilling K-drama that dethroned ‘Squid Game’
10. Song Hye-kyo
Above Song Hye-kyo at the press conference for the 2022 Netflix K-drama 'The Glory' (Photo: Getty Images)
Song Hye-kyo at the press conference for the 2022 Netflix K-drama 'The Glory' (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$11 million
Watch her in: Autumn in My Heart (2000), Full House (2004), That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013), Descendants of the Sun (2016), The Glory (2022 - 2023)
See also: The Glory: 5 things we know about Song Hye-kyo's new K-drama
11. Lee Jong-suk
Above Lee Jong-suk and castmates Lee Na-young and Jung Yoo-jin at the press conference for the 2019 tvN Drama 'Romance Is a Bonus Book' (Photo: Getty Images)
Lee Jong-suk and castmates Lee Na-young and Jung Yoo-jin at the press conference for the 2019 tvN Drama 'Romance Is a Bonus Book' (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$10 million
Watch him in: School 2013 (2012), Doctor Stranger (2014), Pinocchio (2014), W (2016), Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019), Big Mouth (2022)
Don't miss: 5 K-dramas that show us there is more to love than romantic relationships
12. Jun Ji-hyun
Above Jun Ji-hyun attending the Michaa 2018 Winter Icon Collection launch in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
Jun Ji-hyun attending the Michaa 2018 Winter Icon Collection launch in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$10 million
Watch her in: My Love from the Star (2013 - 2014), The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016 - 2017), Jirisan (2021), Kingdom (2020)
Read more: Netflix: 3 revelations from 'Kingdom: Ashin of the North'
13. Gong Hyo-jin
Above Gong Hyo-jin at the wrap party for the 2019 K-drama 'When the Camellia Blooms' (Photo: Getty Images)
Gong Hyo-jin at the wrap party for the 2019 K-drama 'When the Camellia Blooms' (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$8.5 million
Watch her in: Sang Doo! Let's Go to School (2003), It's Okay, That's Love (2014), The Producers (2015), When the Camellia Blooms (2019)
14. Ha Ji-won
Above Ha Ji-won attending the 2019 amfAR Gala in Hong Kong (Photo: Getty Images)
Ha Ji-won attending the 2019 amfAR Gala in Hong Kong (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$8 million
Watch her in: Damo (2003), Hwang Jini (2006), Empress Ki (2013), Something Happened in Bali (2004), Secret Garden (2010), Hospital Ship (2017)
Don't miss: Netflix: 7 shows that made it to the Busan International Film Festival 2021
15. Lee Seung-gi
Above Lee Seung-gi promoting the 2019 K-drama 'Vagabond' in Taipei (Photo: Getty Images)
Lee Seung-gi promoting the 2019 K-drama 'Vagabond' in Taipei (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$7 million
Watch him in: Brilliant Legacy (2009), My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (2010), A Korean Odyssey (2017 - 2018), Vagabond (2019), Mouse (2021)
Read more: Red flags? If he's anything like these K-drama leads, better swipe left
16. Park Shin-hye
Above Park Shin-hye at a press conference prior to her 2017 fanmeeting event in Hong Kong (Photo: Getty Images)
Park Shin-hye at a press conference prior to her 2017 fanmeeting event in Hong Kong (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$6 million
Watch her in: You're Beautiful (2009), The Heirs (2013), Pinocchio (2014 - 2015), Doctors (2016), Memories of the Alhambra (2018 - 2019), Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)
See also: Love ‘All of Us Are Dead’? Here are 10 Korean zombie films and shows to watch
17. Kim Tae-hee
Above Kim Tae-hee at the Ohui Beautiful Face Campaign Bazaar in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
Kim Tae-hee at the Ohui Beautiful Face Campaign Bazaar in Seoul (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$5.5 million
Watch her in: Stairway to Heaven (2003), Love Story in Harvard (2004), Iris (2009), My Princess (2011), Yong-pal (2015), Hi Bye, Mama! (2020)
Don't miss: ‘The Silent Sea’ stars Gong Yoo and Bae Doona on suiting up for the first K-drama set in space
18. Song Joong-ki
Above Song Joong-ki attending the press conference for the 2016 K-drama 'Descendants of the Sun' in Hong Kong (Photo: Getty Images)
Song Joong-ki attending the press conference for the 2016 K-drama 'Descendants of the Sun' in Hong Kong (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$5 million
Watch him in: The Innocent Man (2012), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Arthdal Chronicles (2019), Vincenzo (2021), Reborn Rich (2022)
Read more: ‘Reborn Rich’: 5 highlights from Song Joong-ki’s comeback drama
19. Shin min-a
Above Shin Min-a at the press conference for the 2019 JTBC K-drama 'Chief of Staff' (Photo: Getty Images)
Shin Min-a at the press conference for the 2019 JTBC K-drama 'Chief of Staff' (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$2.5 million
Watch her in: My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox (2010), Oh My Venus (2015), Chief of Staff (2019), Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021), Our Blues (2022)
See also: Shin Min-a: 5 things to know about the ‘Hometown Cha Cha Cha’ lead actress
20. Park Bo-young
Above Park Bo-young during the press conference for the 2017 JTBC k-drama 'Strong Girl Bong-soon' (Photo: Getty Images)
Park Bo-young during the press conference for the 2017 JTBC k-drama 'Strong Girl Bong-soon' (Photo: Getty Images)
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Estimated earnings: US$3 million
Watch her in: Oh My Ghost (2015), Strong Girl Bong-soon (2017), Abyss (2019), Doom at Your Service (2021)
Don't miss: 11 K-Drama rom-coms that will make you swoon
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Lainey was the Digital Director of Tatler Malaysia. When not whiling away the hours watching documentaries, the latest K-drama, or reruns of Friends, she can be found indulging her wanderlust by stalking travel platforms or feeding her obsession with music. She loves animals, running, all things social media, a good conversation over coffee or soju or wine (often rambling on if nobody pulls the brakes on her), and is an avid fan of bursting-at-the-seams laughter.
