From hit singles to collaborations with luxury brands and real estate investments, check out which South Korean personalities are profiting the most from the K-pop phenomenon
The wave k-pop not only propelled a whole new generation of artists into the global spotlight, but also introduced the world to some of the biggest names in the Korean music industry.
Be the South Korean singer PSY of the famous “Gangnam Style” or the members of the BTSJungkook It is Vthese idols of K-pop They have successfully solidified their solo and group careers, as well as minting lucrative brand deals and performing to sold-out crowds, which further increases their exponential net worth.
With this in mind, the magazine LifestyleAsiaranked the 10 richest stars of the genre. Check out:
PSY
Estimated Net Worth: US$60 million
Park Jae-sangpopularly known by his stage name PSY, is a successful South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter and record producer. One of the richest idols in the world K-pop, PSY gained international fame after releasing the catchy title track “Gangnam Style” from their sixth album, Psy 6 (Six Rules):Part 1in 2012.
On August 21, 2012, the song topped the iTunes Music Video Charts, surpassing hits from names like Justin bieber It is Katy Perry. On November 24 of the same year, “Gangnam Style” it became the most viewed video in YouTube history to that date. As of 2023, it has been viewed more than 4 billion times on the video streaming channel.
The star of K-popwho formed his own company, P Nation, in 2019, also has other successful tracks to his credit. These include “Right Now”, “It’s Art”, “Urbanitis” It is “That That”. The last one, a single in partnership with the rapper Suga of BTSsurpassed 200 million streams on Spotify in May 2023.
UI
Estimated Net Worth: US$40-45 million
From ruling the music and fashion industry to receiving praise for her performances in several K-dramas and films, the singer Lee Ji Eunalso known as UIestablished himself as one of the most successful stars of the time.
See this photo on InstagramA post shared by 이지금 IU (@dlwlrma)
It was in April 2009 that UI released his first album, Growing Upwhat UI their first Top 25 hits “Boo” It is “Hey (Rock Ver.)”. Some of his other hit tracks are “Strawberry Moon”, “Lilac”, “eight” It is “Celebrity”. Additionally, his collaboration with rapper August D for “People Pt.2” in 2023 earned him the top spot in digital song sales on the charts. billboard.
Tae Yang
Estimated Net Worth: US$40 million
Dong Young-baealso known as Taeyangis known for his musical ability and magnetic stage presence as a member of the K-pop group BIG BANG. Although the majority of his earnings come from his music, luxury fashion collaborations, and holdings in one of South Korea’s largest entertainment agencies, YG Entertainmentalso contribute immensely to his ever-increasing net worth.
See this photo on InstagramA post shared by 룰루레몬코리아 (@lululemonkr)
J-Hope
Estimated Net Worth: US$24-26 million
One of the richest idols in the world K-pop, J-Hope (artistic name of Jung Ho-seok), is also the richest member of the BTS. The rapper has accumulated his enormous wealth primarily through his music production. BTSalbum sales and songwriting.
The main dancer of the group, J-Hope He is also a soloist with several hit records to his name. He released his first solo mixtape,Hope Worldin 2018. Other milestones to his credit are hit singles like “Chicken Noodle Soup” with Becky G, “On the Street” with J. Cole in the album Jack in the Box (2022).
See this photo on InstagramA post shared by jhope (@uarmyhope)
Suga
Estimated Net Worth: $23-25 million
The main rapper of BTS, Suga collaborated with many international artists such as Halsey, ØMI and Steve Aoki as part of the BTS and worked on solo projects under his pseudonym August D. His last global tour, D-Daybecame the highest-grossing performance by a Korean soloist in United States history, grossing nearly $3 million per night at the UBS Arena in New York.
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Jungkook
Estimated Net Worth: US$20-22 million
Jungkook is one of the most popular members of BTS beside V. He co-produced several record-breaking hits such as “Euphoria” It is “Stay Alive” as BTS. However, with the group’s members beginning their military enlistment, the song has been focusing on solo activities for some time.
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In 2022, he collaborated with Charlie Puth in “Left And Right”, which broke several Billboard records. His solo single, “Seven”with Lattoofficially became the fastest song to surpass 1 billion streams in Spotify history on October 30, 2023.
Meanwhile, his 2023 debut solo album,golden, sold more than 2 million copies in a single day, making Jungkook the first soloist to achieve the feat in history in South Korea.
V
Estimated Net Worth: US$20-22 million
The main vocalist of BTS, Kim Taehyungalso known as Vis one of the richest and most attention-grabbing K-pop idols.
Some of his most popular hits with the BTS include “Singularity”, “Stigma”, “Blue & Grey”, “Butter”, “Dynamite” It is “Life Goes On”. His debut solo album, Layover (2023), sold more than 2 million copies in its first week of release, making V the first Korean soloist to achieve the feat since “Let Me Love” in Jo Sung-mo in 2000.
See this photo on InstagramA post shared by V (@thv)
RM
Estimated Net Worth: US$20-22 million
Born Kim Namjoon, RM (Rap Monster) is the rapper, songwriter, producer and leader of BTS. According to the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA), RM has over 215 song credits to his name to date.
In March 2023, his debut solo album,Indigo, surpassed 300 million streams on Spotify, becoming the fastest album by a Korean soloist to reach the milestone. Furthermore, the songs Indigo sold more than 500 thousand copies in the United States.
See this photo on InstagramA post shared by RM (@rkive)
Jisoo
Estimated Net Worth: 20 million
Jisoo (artistic name of Kim Ji-soo) has had one of the most successful careers since his debut on BLACKPINK in 2016. She is also one of the stars of K-pop most followed on Instagram, with more than 76.3 million followers.
See this photo on InstagramA post shared by JISOO🪐 (@sooyaaa__)
The first female K-pop soloist in history to have over 1 million pre-saves, Jisoo made history with her first solo album of 2023, Me. The album surpassed over 400 million streams on Spotify as of October 31, 2023.
Baekhyun
Estimated Net Worth: 17 million
Byun Baek-hyunpopularly known as Baekhyunis one of the richest members of the South Korean group EXO. After a successful career as a boy band member, Baekhyun began his solo career with the release of his debut EP, City Lights, in 2019, which sold more than half a million copies.
See this photo on InstagramA post shared by BaekHyun. (@baekhyunee_exo)
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
