When it comes to South Korea’s entertainment scene, two cultural powerhouses dominate: K-Drama and K-Pop. Both industries have catapulted the country into the global spotlight, producing internationally recognised stars, billion-dollar revenues, and dedicated fanbases. But when we talk about personal wealth, which industry creates more millionaires? The answer is not as straightforward as it seems—because while both are lucrative, the income structures, career longevity, and revenue streams differ greatly.
In this deep dive, we’ll explore how actors and idols make their money, who’s earning the big bucks, and which industry seems to produce more high-net-worth celebrities.
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How K-Drama Stars Build Their Wealth
K-Drama actors typically earn their fortunes through episode fees, endorsements, and royalties. Unlike K-Pop idols, who often split income among multiple group members and management, actors have more direct earnings from each project.
1. Per-Episode Salaries
Top-tier K-Drama actors like Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun reportedly earn anywhere from ₩200 million to ₩500 million KRW per episode (around USD $150,000–$380,000). Given that a single drama might have 16 to 20 episodes, an actor could walk away with millions from just one series.
2. Endorsements
Luxury brands love partnering with K-Drama actors due to their refined public image. Song Hye-kyo, for instance, commands multi-million-dollar deals with luxury fashion houses and beauty brands. These endorsement deals often surpass the income from acting itself.
3. Overseas Popularity
With platforms like Netflix and global streaming, international fanbases mean increased royalties and event fees. Stars like Lee Min-ho enjoy significant income from fan meetings in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, where ticket prices and merchandise sales are substantial.
How K-Pop Idols Build Their Wealth
K-Pop idols have a more complex path to millionaire status. The industry is high-investment, high-risk, with years of training before debut and a revenue split between members and agencies. Still, the biggest idols—especially those from globally famous groups—can rival or surpass the wealth of top actors.
1. Album Sales & Concert Tours
Groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, and SEVENTEEN earn millions through sold-out world tours. While profits are shared among members and management, the sheer volume of merchandise, tickets, and VIP packages ensures hefty payouts for top groups.
2. Brand Endorsements
K-Pop idols are fashion powerhouses. Lisa from BLACKPINK, for example, has ambassadorships with Celine, Bulgari, and MAC Cosmetics, reportedly earning millions annually. In some cases, these endorsement deals are more lucrative than their music careers.
3. Solo Projects & Songwriting Credits
Many idols supplement their income through solo music releases, songwriting royalties, and acting roles. G-Dragon from BIGBANG earns millions in royalties from songs he’s written, in addition to his endorsement empire.
Career Longevity: Actors vs. Idols
This is where the scales start to tip.
K-Pop idols typically have shorter career peaks—most groups maintain massive popularity for 5 to 7 years before declining, though there are exceptions. Acting careers, on the other hand, can span decades, allowing actors to continuously earn at high rates well into their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
This means that while a K-Pop idol might skyrocket to millionaire status faster, a K-Drama actor has a better chance at sustaining and growing that wealth over the long term.
The Millionaire Count: Who’s Winning?
While it’s hard to get exact numbers (due to private contracts and varying definitions of “millionaire”), here’s the general trend:
- K-Drama produces fewer millionaires overall, but those who make it tend to have higher individual net worths due to massive per-project payouts.
- K-Pop produces more millionaires, especially from big groups, but their earnings are often spread thinner among members and can be more volatile.
If we look purely at numbers, the K-Pop industry has created more individuals who reach millionaire status, largely because idol groups can launch multiple members into fame at once. However, if we’re looking at highest net worth, K-Drama actors often take the crown.
Examples of Top-Earning K-Drama Millionaires
- Kim Soo-hyun – Estimated net worth: USD $117 million, thanks to high per-episode fees and endorsements.
- Jun Ji-hyun – Estimated net worth: USD $30 million+, with decades-long acting success and brand deals.
- Lee Min-ho – Estimated net worth: USD $26 million, boosted by international fan events.
Examples of Top-Earning K-Pop Millionaires
- G-Dragon (BIGBANG) – Estimated net worth: USD $30 million+, from songwriting royalties, fashion, and endorsements.
- Lisa (BLACKPINK) – Estimated net worth: USD $25 million+, from music, global brand deals, and solo projects.
- J-Hope (BTS) – Estimated net worth: USD $24 million+, thanks to solo music, group tours, and songwriting.
So, Which Industry Produces More Millionaires?
In sheer numbers—K-Pop wins.
In terms of the highest individual earnings—K-Drama takes the lead.
The deciding factor often comes down to career longevity and revenue streams. K-Pop idols can earn astronomical amounts quickly during their peak, but actors often enjoy steady, high-paying roles over decades, allowing their net worth to grow consistently.
The Future of Millionaires in K-Drama and K-Pop
With the continued global demand for Korean entertainment, both industries are set to produce even more millionaires in the coming years. Streaming platforms are paying premium rates for original Korean content, while K-Pop tours are expanding to more countries than ever before.
The real winners? Fans, who get to watch their favourite stars shine while building empires behind the scenes.
