From Kim Soo Hyun to Lee Jung Jae: List of top-paid Korean actors of 2025 revealed
Also Read: From F1 to M3GAN 2.0: 7 major movies releasing in the second half of June 2025 you shouldn't miss
The Squid Game star is reportedly the highest-paid Korean actor, according to Forbes, earning $1 million per episode for Seasons 2 and 3. That paycheck not only makes him the face of dystopian drama, it also places him at the top of South Korea's earnings chart.
His popularity soars with each project—and so does his bank balance. Tatler Asia cited his per-episode fee for One Ordinary Day at $423,000, while The Korea Times pegged his Queen of Tears deal at $3.7 million for 16 episodes—roughly $231,250 per episode.
A fan favorite since Crash Landing on You, Hyun Bin continues to command huge fees. Siasat.com reports his earnings at around $167,000 per episode, while Times of India states his total net worth stands at $21 million.
From Boys Over Flowers to The King: Eternal Monarch, Lee Min Ho's appeal is universal. Siasat.com reports he earns $167,000 per episode, and GQ India says his net worth is $26 million.
Known for Dae Jang Geum and Lady Vengeance, she remains a respected figure in Korean entertainment. Her reported fee is ₩100M per episode, which is approximately $90,700.
The queen of My Sassy Girl and My Love from the Star, Jun Ji Hyun, reportedly earns ₩110M per episode, which converts to $99,900 USD. Siasat.com also lists her fee at around $83,500 per episode.
ALSO READ: Netflix this weekend: 10 best K-dramas for thrillers and rom-coms lovers
With Reborn Rich, he reportedly charged ₩300 million per episode. According to Bollywood Life, his net worth reached $40.3 million, thanks to blockbuster dramas like Vincenzo and his strategic role choices.
From Autumn in My Heart to The Glory, her repertoire is as powerful as her pay. She earns ₩60M per episode, which is about $54,400.
Lee Jung Jae, with $1 million per episode for Squid Game, is currently the highest-paid Korean actor.
Jun Ji Hyun ranks among the top, earning nearly $100,000 per episode.
Lee Min Ho and Hyun Bin are among the wealthiest male stars. Among actresses, Song Hye Kyo and Jun Ji Hyun lead the list.
Kim Soo-Hyun and Lee Jung Jae are both top contenders, based on popularity and pay scale in 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
3 minutes ago
- India Today
Zakir Khan recalls not recognising BTS band members in Korea: Was totally unaware
Comedian Zakir Khan recently narrated a unique incident when he met BTS members without recognising them. He recalled that once during a world tour for his stand-up special at South Korea, he was in the same room as BTS in an interview with India Today's sister channel, The Lallantop, said, "I happened to go to Korea once, and there is a very famous band there by the name of BTS. I knew there is a band called BTS and I also know that they are famous. And by chance, I went there for an event to interview a very big celebrity and the band was also there to meet the same person."advertisement"Because I was late, I was in the last batch with those members of the band. So I asked one of the members, 'Who are you and where are you from', and he told me they are from BTS. I thought that the Korean organising team has called for a behind-the-scenes team. I was totally unaware of the fact that they are famous people. Later, when I told people that for 35 minutes I was in the same room as them, they fainted," he added. The South Korean music band consists of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Although K-Pop musicians have been active since 2010, they temporarily took a break as their members enlisted for compulsory military training. After completing military service, the members are now pursuing solo careers. While V, Jungkook, Jimin, and RM have been going live and interacting with fans, Jin and J-Hope had sold-out shows in Tokyo and popularity of BTS has led to their massive fan base, nicknamed the Army. The Indian fans of BTS also call themselves Indian Army. Khan while admitting his inability to recognise the South Korean band, was contrasting on the usual hype over BTS among the Indian was last seen in the show 'Farzi Mushaira', streaming on Prime Video. His last Stand-Up Special was 'Delulu Express', also streaming on Prime Video.- EndsTrending Reel
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Is BTS really going to collaborate with Michael Jackson? Critics react: ‘Literally no one wants this'
BTS might just be stepping into their most controversial decade yet. As the South Korean supergroup prepares for their reunion, they're reportedly involved in a top-secret tribute project: recording an unreleased track originally created for Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson and BTS The track dates back to 2006, when Jackson spent time in Ireland at the Grouse Lodge studio, working on an album that was never completed. Studio owner Paddy Dunning recently revealed that BTS visited the space last year to re-record one of those long-lost songs. Speaking to The Irish Sun, Dunning shared, 'The sessions started last year and we have already had the Korean boy band BTS over with us in Grouse Lodge, recording one of the songs. There are about ten more, written especially for Michael by the collaborators he worked with in Ireland, including producer Rodney Jerkins and rapper Nephew, who have signed up for the project." Alongside the music, Dunning said a documentary film is in the works, chronicling Jackson's peaceful life in Ireland with his children. 'Michael's estate told me to plough ahead with this because like me, they see it as a tribute to Michael. And for the documentary we're going to get everyone's memories of working with Michael in Ireland," he added. The owner even met Jackson's eldest son, Prince, during a visit to the US. The two spoke about the family's time at Grouse Lodge, and Prince reportedly said he, Paris, and Blanket hope to return to the studio one day. Netizens are not thrilled But while the collaboration is being pitched as a tribute, reactions online suggest otherwise. Many fans are hyped, but just as many are skeptical, if not outright angry. 'Has Michael Jackson's family and estate approved of this?' asked one user on X, while another wrote, 'I don't have anything against them but their style/sound has nothing in common with MJ... This song will NOT be good.' One fan said, 'They're so desperate oh my goodness,' and someone else chimed in with, 'If anyone had the honour of this it should've been Gaga.' The backlash continued to spread across social platforms, with one user asking, 'Who asked for this no shade,' and another bluntly stating, 'They're not even close to Michael Jackson's level mind you…so that's a lot of nerve.' Others were even harsher: 'This is so disrespectful, we need to cancel BTS now,' said one. 'They gonna ruin it,' said one more. Another comment read, 'Literally no one wants this. K-pop stop biting off of other artists challenge!' One more said, 'They're doing anything for a comeback clearly.' Another claimed, 'Who are they to even touch Michael Jackson's music.' Despite the criticism, there's no denying BTS's long-standing admiration for Jackson. Their chart-topping English hit Dynamite was, in many ways, a sonic and visual homage to the King of Pop. Furthermore, the group has always claimed to be inspired by him, even earning an honorary mention in his documentary Thriller 40 (2023). This new project might just be an extension of that same respect, though whether it lands as a heartfelt tribute or a musical misstep is something only time (and streaming numbers) will tell.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
BTS or 'Behind The Scenes' staff? Zakir Khan spent 45 minutes with K-pop band members without knowing them
Popular Indian stand-up comedian Zakir Khan recently shared a surprising and humorous incident from his trip to South Korea, where he unknowingly spent over half an hour in the same room as global K-pop sensation BTS—without realising who they were. In an interview with The Lallantop, Zakir candidly recounted how he failed to identify the world-famous boy band and mistook them for event staff. Unaware He Was Among Global Icons During the interview, Zakir said he had travelled to Korea to interview a major celebrity. The BTS members were also scheduled to meet the same person. Due to a late arrival, Zakir was grouped with them in the final batch. At the time, he noticed a group of young men but did not give it much thought. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Out of curiosity, he casually asked one of them who they were and where they were from. The response—"BTS"—didn't immediately strike a chord with him. Assuming they were part of the Korean event's management or behind-the-scenes crew, Zakir carried on without realising their global popularity. It was only later, when he recounted the encounter to others, that the gravity of the situation dawned on him. The comedian revealed that people were stunned to hear he had unknowingly spent around 45 minutes with BTS. Some even jokingly said they would have fainted in his place. BTS Continues To Dominate Globally BTS, made up of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, has become one of the most influential pop groups worldwide since their debut in 2013. With record-breaking albums and a dedicated global fanbase known as ARMY, the South Korean group has maintained its relevance even during their hiatus for mandatory military service. Now that all members have completed their enlistment, each one has ventured into solo projects. Jin and J-Hope have headlined shows in Tokyo and Berlin, while others like V, Jungkook, RM, and Jimin continue to engage with fans through livestreams and social media updates. Known for his unique brand of observational comedy, Zakir Khan has carved a niche for himself in India's stand-up scene. With multiple specials such as Tathastu, Mann Pasand, and most recently Delulu Express (2025, Amazon Prime), Zakir has also performed on international stages, including the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London.
