Top Richest K-Pop Singers

Who are the richest K-pop Idols with the highest net worth? Only a few K-pop singers end up becoming iconic. There are many stories of struggling K-pop trainees that end up never joining a group or releasing an album. However, to become one of the richest K-pop idols means they will have the potential to make lots of money. K-pop entertainment companies are minting money and have started to go public. K-pop stars have also started investing their money as well as diversifying out of the music industry and into the entertainment industry. BLACKPINK and BTS had a gigantic 2019 and their net worth should only continue to rise as we move forward. A few things to keep in mind. Each member in BLACKPINK should make a successful solo career, and for BTS, they would go to the military at a certain point. Here are the richest K-pop Idols with the highest net worth. We include here money from their music, investments, and outside income from endorsement, TV appearance, Social Media Marketing, and movies. Income from Kpop merchandise is not included as most of if not all, goes to their entertainment companies.

The Net Worth Estimates are just that, estimates. Impossible to get the true net worth of a K-pop star. We considered 5 factors in creating the list.

Salary from their Entertainment Companies
Endorsements
Investments (Businesses/Real Estate)
Assets
Influence

1. Kim Jaejoong – Richest K-Pop Idols (Male)

Kim Jaejoong is the richest K-pop Idol. He is a singer, songwriter, actor, director, designer, and businessman. He was part of the Kpop group JYJ and TVXQ. However, he had an excellent acting career in Korean dramas. The dramas he featured in are Triangle, Protect the Boss, Dr. Jin, and Manhole to mention a few. He also began Korean films like Jackal is Coming and Heaven's Postman.

Richest K-Pop Idols for Real Estate

Kim Jaejoong bought an apartment in 2012. Its current price is approximately $3 million. It is a 3,200 square foot penthouse apartment in Samsung-dong. Two years later, he bought the 7-story J-Line Building in Seocho-dong for $7 million. He has a coffee shop called Cafe J-Holic in Myeondong and another called Coffee Cojjee in Samsung-dong. Besides, he has Holic-J, a bar in Gangnam; Bum Story, a Japanese restaurant in Gangnam; Jaejoong recently opened a new Osaka, Japan branch for KAVE Cafe. Apart from that, he owns KAVE MALL, Shibuya, Japan He is known for having luxury cars such as the Bentley Continental, Lamborghini Murcielago LP-640, Mitsuoka Himiko, Audi R8, 2 Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Ferrari 458, and a Rolls-Royce Wraith.  

In 2015, Jaejoong started his own fashion company called MOLDIR.  He designs his own brand which he sells at his luxury clothing store in Cheongdam. 

Kim Jaejoong estimated net worth:  $80 Million

2. PSY (Park-Jae-sang)

PSY is a Koren rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer.

He is best known for his global hit single Gangnam Style. PSY is from an affluent family background. His father is the executive chairman of DI Corporation, while his mother had several restaurants around Gangnam. His music career started in early 2000. However, he was signed by YG Entertainment in 2010 where he began to take off. In 2012, he earned more than $28 million from the success of his song. Gangnam Style Blows Up the Internet - Youtube's Richest K-Pop Idols At one time, Gangnam style was the most viewed video on YouTube, and he became a global superstar. The Gangnam style is said to have generated a sum of $20 million from YouTube and streaming services. He also gained over a million followers on Instagram through which he could charge round $2,000 a post.

PSY also has another condo in Westwood. That condo is estimated to be $1.5 million. He already worked with the American artists when he entered the U.S. market, such as Will.i.am, Snoop Dog, and Black Eyed Peas, among many others.  He still keeps on being active today as a producer but will still tour around the globe for concerts.

He would command a $300,000 payday for one night's performance in Malaysia.

Yet another high-profile music producer is Scooter Braun; he manages Justin Bieber but also PSY. That said, Scooter is an actor in film as well as a TV show personality in Korea. For the record, PSY does endorse Sonic Drive-in as well as Wonderful Pistachios and Haute couture to name but just a few. He also works with non-profit organizations such as World Vision and Rotary International.

PSY estimated Net Worth:  $60 Million.

3. Rain (Jung Ji Hoon)   Rain is a singer, songwriter, dancer, music producer, and actor.

His first success was in 2002 when he released his first solo album and appeared on a Korean show.

Since then, his career really took off and did 7 albums in total.

He has done world tours and starred in both Korean and American films, (Ninja Assassin). In 2015, Rain set up his own company called RAINCOMPANY. Marriage to Kim Tae Hee – Richest K-Pop Idols (Couple) Rain got married to one of Korea's top female actresses in Kim Tae Hee. The couple owns properties in Cheongdam and currently the properties are estimated at more than $35 million. Their house alone is valued at $5 million. They are believed to be the richest celebrity couple in Korea.

Rain estimated Net Worth:  $45 Million

4. G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-Yong) – Richest K-Pop Idols (Big Bang)

G-Dragon is a rapper, songwriter, producer, model, and fashion trendsetter. He is a member of Big Bang and has written and composed many of their hit songs such as Haru Haru. Altogether, G-Dragon has more than 180 songs copyrighted under his name. According to an article, Seungri said his income from several businesses is minuscule compared to G-Dragon, who makes $700,000 a year just on songwriting royalties.

He even released his solo album titled Heartbreaker. He also collaborated with T.O.P. and released the album GD & TOP. Most of his income comes from copyrights, Spotify, and YouTube advertisement revenue. He also produces and writes music for himself and other artists, which increases his income as well.

G-Dragon Becoming a Fashion Icon in Korea

G-Dragon has penetrated the fashion industry and, for the past few years, shaped the fashion trends in Korea.

He owns his own fashion brand (Peaceminusone) and jewelry lines and is a brand ambassador/model for Chanel.

He is one of the most paid K-pop stars in Korea.

His endorsement deals are about $2 million on average.

He has endorsed companies like Nike, Hyundai, Airbnb, and many European and Asian fashion brands. He has designed Peaceminusone PARANOISE shoes with Nike, which are sold at $200. In addition, he has earned much money from his investments in cafes (Untitled 2017), restaurants, hotels, and apartments in Korea.  In 2013, he bought a 2,500 square foot apartment in the Galleria Foret complex for $3 million. He also owns the March Rabbit complex in Cheongdam that estimated to worth over $9 million. G-Dragon is among the few owners of the Black Honda Card. This is a credit card in Korea where only 0.05% are allowed to use it. To become the owner, you must have been solely invited to join the other card holders.

G-Dragon estimated Net Worth:  $40 Million

5. Choi Siwon

Siwon is a singer, model, songwriter, actor, and businessman.

He is a member of Super Junior that have had many #1 albums in Korea from 2007 to 2017. Siwon also appeared in films like Attack on the Pin-Up Boys, A Battle of Wits, Dragon Blade, To the Fore, and Helios.

Silwn also had lead roles on Korean dramas including Oh! My Lady and Poseidon. He hails from a very wealthy family whose net worth is estimated to be over $600 Million. He belongs to the Hyundai Department Store chain owners. In 2015, he was made a special representative of the South Korea Committee for UNICEF. King of Twitter Siwon was the king of twitter followers when twitter first launched in Korea by being the first K-pop star to reach 3 million followers. He currently has 6.7 million followers on twitter. Besides Korea, he also did advertisements in China and Thailand. He makes the majority of his income from China. Black Jacket, Seoul Milk, 12 Plus are some other companies with which he had endorsed.

Choi Siwon estimated Net Worth:  $40 Million 

6. Lee Hyori – Richest K-Pop Idols (Female)

Lee Hyori is a K-pop singer of the generation.

Number 6 in our list of the richest K-pop Idols.

She started off with a very popular K-pop girl's group called Fin.K.L.

In 2006, she was the highest-paid female K-pop singer.

She gained more remuneration for advertising and endorsing products, such as Samsung and Korean soju brand Chum-Churum. In 2013, she married a really rich producer named Lee Sang-soon where they produced a very popular variety show called Hyori's Bed and Breakfast.  This television show was shot at Hyori's house on Jeju Island, known as  "Hyori's Homestay". In addition to singing Hyori appeared in South Korean dramas Three Leaf Clover and in South Korean films Dancing Queen.

Lee Hyori net worth is approximately:  $25 Million

7. Taeyang (Dong Young Bae)

He is a singer, songwriter who is also a part of South Korea K-Pop boy-band group, Big Bang who also achieved great success as a solo artist. Like G-Dragon, Taeyang is also a fashion icon and has collaborated with Fendi for "Fendi for Taeyang."

He has more than 30 song credits and owns a house worth around $3.5 million.

Apart from this, Taeyang owns a building that is worth over $7 million.

He is also a shareholder in YG Entertainment and is reported to have invested $600,000 in the company. Taeyang married a Korean actress named Min Hyo-Rin in 2018.   Taeyang estimated Net Worth:  $25 Million

8. T.O.P (Choi Seung Hyun) Coming in at #10 for the richest K-pop Idols is T.O.P. 

T.O.P is a rapper, singer, songwriter, for the K-Pop group Big Bang. He released the album GD & TOP in 2010 which hit #1 in Korea. He has lately become increasingly involved as a record producer and actor.

He has more than 50 song credits.

He is also an avid art collector.

He is said to have purchased some original works from Andy Warhol.

T.O.P has appeared in many television commercials and is said to charge at least $500,000 for a six-month endorsement contract or $1 million for a year's worth of endorsement contract. He owns a villa valued at over $2.5 million. He informed his fans that he had purchased an entire vineyard field in Argentina, which is said to yield, on average, 8,000 bottles of wine. Some of his endorsements include an outdoor clothing brand called Millet, Cass (Korean Beer) and Nongfu Spring (tea brand). He owns a building in Hannam that is worth over $2 million.

T.O.P estimated Net Worth:  $25 Million 

9. DARA (Sandara Park) – Richest K-Pop Idols (2NE1) DARA is a singer, actress, and host.

 
She became famous being one of the top girl groups of all time, 2NE1. When the group had already broken up, she was already able to have a highly successful solo career.

She has been able to be successful in acting for dramas like One More Happy Ending and Missing Korea.

She also acted in the Korean movie called Bcuz of You, in which she got many awards for acting.

DARA also guested on most television shows here in the Philippines.

She also hosts a fashion show known as Get It Beauty, and is considered to be a fashion icon here in the country. She has her own line called "Dara Park Seduction". DARA has sponsorship deals with these brands and many more; Etude House, Clio, Nikon, Mitsubishi, Moonshot, CoverGirl, BNY Jeans, Tekki Asian Classic Noodles, Canon, Cass beer, Head & Shoulders, and Penshoppe to name just a few. Nikon named a camera after her, it's called Sandara Digicam. Dara attended college in the Philippines. Dara is quite a hot star in the Philippines; Kpop fans even refer to her as the "BoA of the Philippines". She has invested her money sell in smart stock investments, real estate, and restaurants. DARA even launched her own brand of Vodka and has a top-selling perfume called "With Love from Dara". She also became YG Entertainment's public relations director.  DARA also has her own YouTube Channel called Dara TV which has over 686,000 subscribers.

DARA estimated Net Worth:  $20 Million 

10. IU (Lee Ji-Eun) IU is also one of the best success stories for K-pop stars in Korea.

She started singing when she was 15 years old.  She writes and produces all the songs. 

She, therefore, doesn't stop improving her royalty income.

Good Day was arguably one of the best albums ever.

IU has done more than 50 commercials for brands including Samsung, Sony Korea, SK Telecom, Le Coq Sportif, S-Oil, Guess and even Korean soju brand Chamisul.

She lives in one of the most expensive apartments called Caelitus, which is in Seoul.

IU created a scholarship for the old school she used to go to and so far gave over $88,000 to the Green Umbrella Children's Fund.

Estimated Net Worth IU $15 Million