Top 10 Richest Musicians in Korea (2022)

The Korean music industry also known as K-Pop is arguably one of the biggest music industries in the world, right now. The industry has established a global presence and is rapidly expanding to all parts of the globe.  K-pop stars like BTS arguably have one of the biggest fan bases across the globe, selling out stadiums and arenas for their music tours. As the popularity of K-Pop members is increasing, their income is also on the rise. In celebration of K-pop’s global domination, RNN.NG has compiled a list of the richest musicians in Korea.

Richest Musicians in Korea (Table)

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Richest Musicians in Korea (Full List)

1. Kim Jae-joong

Kim Jae-joong mononymously known as Jaejoong is the richest musician in Korea, with an estimated net worth of $100 Million. He was of the founding members and the lead vocalist of the K-Pop group TVXQ.  After the fall of the group, Kim Jae Joong along with two others formed a group JYJ. He has since expanded his range of activities as a solo artist and is also known by the stage names Hero Jaejoong

As a solo artist, he has released three Korean studio albums, WWW (2013), No.X (2016), and Born Gene (2022). The first two reached number one on the Gaon Music Chart. In Japan, his three studio albums Flawless Love (2019), Love Covers (2019), and Love Covers II (2020) all peaked at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart. Kim Jae-joong also ventured into K-drama, where he works as an Actor and a director.

2. PSY (Park Jae-sang)

Park Jae-sang professionally known as PSY  is one of the richest musicians in Korea, with an estimated net worth of $60 Million. He is known domestically for his humorous videos and stage performances, and internationally for his hit single “Gangnam Style”. The song’s refrain was noted as one of the most famous quotations of 2012.

Park Jae-sang who also doubles as a rapper, songwriter, and record producer is recognized by the media as the King of YouTube. His music video for “Gangnam Style” was the first video to exceed one billion views on YouTube. As of March 2022, it is the eleventh most-viewed video on YouTube, with over 4 billion views.

3. Choi Si-won

With an estimated net worth of $55 Million, Choi Si-won takes fifth place among the richest musicians in Korea. Choi Si-won who is also a songwriter, model, and actor is known for his work as a member of the South Korean boy group Super Junior. He is described as “one of South Korea’s most sought-after singers and actors”.

Aside from being a member of Super Junior, Choi has also ventured into solo activities, mainly acting. He played lead roles in numerous Korean dramas such as Oh! My Lady (2010), Poseidon (2011), Revolutionary Love (2017), and My Fellow Citizens! (2019).  Choi has also participated in various Chinese language films such as Helios, To the Fore, and Dragon Blade. In October 2015, he became the first Korean to reach 5 million Twitter followers

4. G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-Yong)

Kwon Ji-yong, popularly known as G-Dragon, is one of the richest musicians in Korea, with an estimated net worth of $55 Million. He made his debut in 2006 and rose to prominence as the leader of the South Korean group Big Bang, which went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands in the world.

In 2009, he released his first solo album Heartbreaker; the album and its title track of the same name were commercially successful, becoming the best-selling album by a Korean soloist at the time. G-Dragon is widely recognized for his influence on youth culture, fashion trends, and music in South Korea.

He was named by Forbes in 2016 as the most influential person under 30 in Asia’s entertainment and sports. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including seven Mnet Asian Music Awards, six Melon Music Awards, two Korean Music Awards, two Golden Disc Awards, and two MBC Entertainment Awards, among several other awards.

5. Rain (Jung Ji-hoon)

Jung Ji-hoon popularly known by his stage name Rain, takes fifth place among the richest musicians in Korea, with an estimated net worth of $49 million. He is one of the most prominent musicians in the country, with seven albums,  28 singles, and numerous concert tours around the world.

He achieved breakthrough success with his third Korean album, It’s Raining (2004), which spawned the number-one single of the same name. The album sold a million copies in Asia and established Rain as an international star. He made his acting debut in the 2003 drama Sang Doo! Let’s Go To School.

His lead role in the pan-Asia hit drama Full House (2004) established his status as a Hallyu star. He since then starred in numerous movies including  Hollywood movies like Speed Racer and  Ninja Assassin (2009).  Rain has received numerous accolades for his work in both music and acting.

Rain became the first Korean to win an MTV award, for his role in Ninja Assasin, Other accolades include 6 Mnet Asian Music Awards, 3 Golden Disc Awards, 9 KBS Drama Awards, and 2 Baeksang Arts Awards. He was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2006 and 2011

6. IU (Lee Ji-Eun)

With an estimated net worth of $45 Million, Lee Ji-eun popularly known as IU takes sixth place among the richest musicians in Korea. She made her debut as a singer at the age of fifteen with her first extended play (EP) Lost and Found (2008). Although her follow-up albums, Growing Up and IU…IM, brought mainstream success, it was only after the release of “Good Day” the lead single from her 2010 album Real, that she achieved national stardom.

With the success of her 2011 albums, Real+ and Last Fantasy, IU established herself as a formidable force on the Korean music scene.  Aside from her music career, IU has ventured into acting and hosting radio and television shows. She made minor appearances on numerous television series, before taking on leading roles, which brought her commercial success and accolades in the Koren movie industry.

IU has released a total of five studio albums and nine EPs thus far, five of which have reached number one on the Gaon Album Chart, and thirty number-one singles, making her the artist with the most number-one songs in South Korea. One of the best-selling solo acts in the group-dominated K-pop industry.

7. Taeyang (Dong Young-bae)

Dong Young-bae (better known by his stage name Taeyang is one of the richest musicians in Korea, with an estimated net worth of $35 Million. He made his debut in 2006 as a member of the South Korean boy band Big Bang,  one of the best-selling boy bands in the world.

Following the release of several albums and extended plays with his group, Taeyang pursued a solo career in 2008, releasing his first extended play, Hot. The EP was acclaimed by critics and went on to win the award for Best R&B & Soul Album at the 6th Korean Music Awards.

He released his first full-length studio album, Solar in 2010. Followed by his second studio album, Rise in 2014, which peaked at number 112 on the US Billboard 200, becoming the highest-ranking album by a Korean soloist in the chart.  His third studio album, White Night, was released in 2017.  Taeyang is labeled as the Korean “Prince of R&B” and one of the best vocalists in South Korea.

8. J-Hope (Jung Ho-Seok)

Jung Ho-Seok better known by his stage name J-Hope, is a rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and one of the richest musicians in Korea, with an estimated net worth of $34 Million. He made his debut as a member of the South Korean boy band BTS in 2013, under Big Hit Entertainment.

While still of a member of BTS, J-Hope released his first solo mixtape, Hope World, in 2018. The album was met with a positive reception from critics, and peaked at number 38 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, making him the highest-charting solo Korean artist on the ranking at the time.

He became the first member of BTS to enter the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist in 2019, when his single “Chicken Noodle Soup”, featuring singer Becky G, debuted at number 81 on the chart. In 2022, J-Hope released his debut studio album Jack in the Box.

9. Lee Hyori

Lee Hyo-ri is a singer, record producer, activist, actress, and television presenter, with an estimated net worth of $30 Million, making her one of the richest musicians in Korea. She made her entertainment debut as a member of South Korean girl group Fin. K.L, before becoming a solo artist.

Lee Hyori released her debut solo album Stylish in 2003, the album attained commercial success, pushing her into the mainstream. She has since then released over 5 studio albums and Twenty-fours singles. She is one of the highest-paid female artists in the country with over 400,000 album units sold.

10. DARA (Sandara Park)

Concluding the list of the richest musicians in Korea is Sandara Park, popularly known as DARA, with an estimated net worth of $30 Million. The  South Korean singer, actress, and television presenter rose to fame in the Philippines as a contestant on the talent show Star Circle Quest in 2004.

Following a successful acting and singing career in the Philippines, DARA returned to South Korea in 2007. She made her South Korean debut in 2009 as a member of the K-pop group 2NE1, which went on to become one of the best-selling girl groups of all time before their disbandment in 2016.

In 2004, Park released her first EP, Sandara, which sold over 100,000 physical copies, making it the only album by a South Korean artist to be certified platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI).  Park also has a successful television career she co-hosted the South Korean variety show Two Yoo Project Sugar Man and appeared as a judge on the Philippine talent show Pinoy Boyband Superstar.

Summary

Here is a recap of the richest musicians in Korea and their estimated net worth.

• Kim Jae-joong – $100 Million
• PSY (Park Jae-sang) – $60 Million
• Choi Si-won – $55 Million
• G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-Yong) – $55 Million
• Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) – $49 Million
• IU (Lee Ji-Eun) – $45 Million
• Taeyang (Dong Young-bae) – $35 Million
• J-Hope (Jung Ho-Seok) – $34 Million
• Lee Hyori – $30 Million
• DARA (Sandara Park) – $30 Million