Cover Multifaceted K-pop icon G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong) attends the Innovate Korea 2024 forum at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) on June 05, 2024, in Daejeon, South Korea, where he has been made visiting professor (Photo: Getty Images)
Multifaceted K-pop icon G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong) attends the Innovate Korea 2024 forum at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) on June 05, 2024, in Daejeon, South Korea, where he has been made visiting professor (Photo: Getty Images)
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From training and debuting in a K-pop group to venturing out solo, meet the K-pop idols who have proven their artistic versatility and carved out impressive individual careers across music, fashion, business, and entertainment
Beyond just being a part of K-pop groups, these artists represent the evolution of K-pop idols into multi-faceted entrepreneurs and inspirations to the new generation of K-pop groups. With achievements that demonstrate how talent and business acumen can create lasting success beyond traditional South Korean entertainment boundaries, they’ve helped reshape perceptions of K-pop artists all while building sustainable solo careers across multiple industries.
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Whether through fashion collaborations, business ventures, or acting careers, each K-pop idol has created his or her own unique path to success, showing how artistic influence can extend into various aspects of global culture and commerce.
1. Lisa (Blackpink)
Blackpink’s fierce main dancer and Thai sensation has set numerous records as a soloist. Her debut single Lalisa broke YouTube records with 73.6 million views in 24 hours, making it the most-viewed music video by a solo artist in 24 hours.
Beyond music, Lisa serves as a global ambassador for luxury brands including Celine, Bulgari, and Louis Vuitton. She made history as the first K-pop idol to walk the runway for Celine’s summer 2022 show, has graced numerous high-fashion magazine covers, and floored the audience with her jaw-dropping performance at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, generating US$1.6 million in media exposure from only one Instagram photo.
Aside from establishing her own management company, Lloud, she will also be making her acting debut for HBO Max’s The White Lotus season three as Mook, a resort manager who welcomes new guests to The White Lotus in Thailand.
2. Jackson Wang (GoT7)
Former Hong Kong sabre fencer who had the potential to compete at the Olympics, Got7 member Jackson Wang has created an entire lifestyle empire spanning entertainment, fashion, and beverages.
In 2010, Wang was scouted by JYP Entertainment while playing basketball with his friends. He decided to try his luck at the JYP Entertainment audition, passing among 2,000 other contenders and was offered to become a trainee. He then gave up training for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and a Stanford University scholarship.
After successfully debuting with Got7, topping charts, and selling out concerts, he invested his time in other solo ventures. Through his company Team Wang Design, a Shanghai-based luxury streetwear label, Wang established a new attitude and image that “Fashion is not just about wearing the best brands, but it is about finding the style and making confidence.”
His global appeal has also led to partnerships and collaborations with Fendi, MAC, Cartier, Armani Beauty, Ray-Ban, and Louis Vuitton.
3. Jessica Jung (former Girls' Generation)
Born in the US, being spotted by SM Entertainment while on vacation in South Korea would steer Jessica Jung’s life, changing it forever. The first Girls’ Generation to sign with SM Entertainment, she trained for seven years before debuting. In her active years as a Girls’ Generation member, Jung also explored acting, portraying Elle Woods in the Korean version of the musical Legally Blonde in 2010 and playing a role in the 2012 K-drama Wild Romance.
A month before departing Girls’ Generation, she established her own luxury fashion and beauty brand, Blanc & Eclare. Her first restaurant named Clareau opened on January 19, 2021, at the Blanc & Eclare flagship store building in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul.
Read more: 16 Korean celebrities who own extravagant luxury cars
Jung’s entrepreneurial journey includes publishing a best-selling novel, Shine, which draws from her K-pop experiences. She was the global ambassador for Revlon and has also maintained a presence in fashion circles with appearances at New York Fashion Week and collaborations with luxury brands
4. G-Dragon (Bigbang)
Known as Bigbang’s leader and the “King of K-pop”, G-Dragon has influenced both music and fashion industries, and has a net worth of US$30 million. His solo albums have consistently topped charts, with Kwon Ji-yong making history as the most successful Korean solo album on iTunes. He has won multiple awards, including eight Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMAs), six Melon Music Awards, and two Golden Disc Awards. In 2013, he was the first and only solo artist to win MAMA's Artist of the Year award.
One of Hypebeast’s list of the 100 most influential people in fashion, G-dragon is known for influencing fashion trends. He also has his own fashion line, Peaceminusone, which has been collaborated with Nike and shown at Seoul Fashion Week. As well, he was included in Forbes’ list of Power Leaders for three years in a row (2012 to 2014) and was named one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet.
See also: Breaking fashion boundaries: The rise of gender-neutral fashion in K-pop
In 2024, G-Dragon undertook the role of visiting professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST). Aside from his other business ventures including a cafe franchise and an art gallery, he’s also an ambassador for Chanel.
5. Jennie (Blackpink)
Blackpink’s singer and rapper Jennie is known for her musical versatility. While she initially dreamt of becoming a ballet dancer, she auditioned for YG Entertainment and eventually debuted as a member of Blackpink. It didn’t take long for the K-pop group to achieve monumental fame and success, signing a global partnership with Interscope Records in just two years.
Her solo ventures include the record-breaking Solo and You & Me, which achieved commercial success worldwide. Solo’s music video was the first by a Korean female soloist to surpass one billion views on YouTube, while her acting debut under her stage name Jennie Ruby Jane in HBO's The Idol marked her entry into international television. Jennie has also established herself as a fashion powerhouse alongside her music career and has been dubbed the “Human Chanel”, for which she serves as global ambassador.
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In 2024, she established her own label, Odd Atelier, and signed with Columbia Records. She also released Mantra, which became the highest-charting song by a Korean female solo artist on the UK Singles Chart. Jennie is reported to have an estimated net worth of US$23 million.
6. Siwon (Super Junior)
Super Junior’s Siwon has built an impressive acting career alongside his music activities with the K-pop group. He's starred in popular K-dramas like She Was Pretty and Revolutionary Love, as well as various Chinese language films such as Helios, To the Fore, and Dragon Blade.
As a UNICEF Regional Ambassador for East Asia and the Pacific, he’s known for his humanitarian work. His business ventures include real estate investments and he’s served as a representative for Audi Korea as well as Swiss luxury watchmaker brand Piaget as their youngest Asian model.
A friend of the fashion world, in 2013, Siwon, along with Psy, became the first K-pop stars to attend the Met Gala. he was listed in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia and described as “one of South Korea's most sought-after singers and actors”.
7. IU
K-pop idol, singer-songwriter, and actress IU (real name Lee Ji-eun), who has a staggering net worth of US$45 million, is arguably one of the most successful solo K-pop idols. Not only does she boast many musical achievements, but she has also built an impressive acting portfolio with leading roles in acclaimed and well-loved K-dramas like Hotel Del Luna, My Mister, and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.
Rolling Stone named her the 135th greatest singer of all time in a 2023 ranking. She has been included five times in the top 10 of Forbes’ annual Korea Power Celebrity list since 2012 and attained a peak ranking of number three that year.
See also: 7 things you might not know about IU
Her business acumen shows in her establishment of EDAM Entertainment with Kakao M to manage her career and her extensive brand endorsements, including Gucci, Samsung, Estée Lauder and Sony Korea. She’s also known for her activism and philanthropy, having donated billions of won to various causes.
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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.
