Why do Korean celebrities fight so hard to become beautiful? You will know after reading these actors with the highest salary in South Korea in 2024.
Before the "salary limit order" was promulgated in 2018, the salary of many top domestic stars was already measured in "hundred million", but there were only a handful of artists whose box office in mainland China exceeded 1 billion and overseas box office exceeded 10 million.
Even though the actor's single-episode salary was reduced to 1 million yuan, the total salary cap reached 50 million yuan.
Facts have proved that popular stars cannot afford ratings and box office, and these directors and producers are still pursuing high-paying artists. It was not until the Yin Yang contract incident was exposed that the audience suddenly realized it.
Korean movies and TV series Kpop are all popular around the world, especially after cooperating with Netflix in recent years, there are endless hits.
However, the average income of Korean actors is not high, and it is not as good as the income of elites in IT, finance, biopharmaceuticals, lawyers, medical and other industries.
divides the average income of Korean actors into three categories, which is roughly the following.
Top actors: The income of top Korean actors is very high, especially those who often make blockbusters and are international A-list stars. Their single episode salary can reach 100 million won (approximately 530,000 pmb). Additionally, movies tend to pay more, with the exact amount depending on the actor's fame and the movie's budget.
Mid-level actors: The income of these actors is usually relatively stable, and their single episode salary is about 10 million to 50 million won (about 50,000 to 500,000 RMB).
Low-level actors : That is, extras who work as extras. Most of their salary income is calculated based on daily salary and hourly salary, and they must also meet the minimum income guarantee.
The stable daily salary of extras is generally between 50,000 and 100,000 won (approximately 265 to 531rmb).
The uncertain hourly salary for actors is between 8,000 and 10,000 won, and the median monthly salary is still very simple in the tens of thousands.
I believe everyone is also curious, who is the highest-paid star in South Korea? Are you the acting type or the flow type?
Let’s take a look at the 10 highest paid artists according to Korean media statistics.
top10: Lee Byung-hun, 150 million won (approximately 800,000 RMB)
Lee Byung-hun is the top actor in the Korean uncle circle. When he collaborated with Lee Min Ho on the filming of "Boys Over Flowers" in 2009, his salary for a single episode was already as high as 150 million won. Lee Byung-hun's wife Lee Min-jeong is also a popular actor in South Korea. The reputation and popularity of this pair of screen CPs are among the best in South Korea.
This year Lee Byung-hun participated in the second season of "Squid Game". Korean media reported that the total production cost exceeded 100 billion won, about 530 million RMB. I believe Lee Byung-hun's salary will also increase, right?
top9: Hyun Bin, 170 million won
In 2019, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin starred in "Crash Landing on You" and became the ratings champion of South Korea's comprehensive entertainment channel. Unfortunately, after this hit, Hyun Bin moved to the film industry.
Looking back at when Hyun Bin first debuted in 2003, the salary for a single episode was only 250,000 won, about 1,300 RMB!
top8: Jun Ji-hyun, 200 million won
National goddess Jun Ji-hyun is very popular in both the fashion and entertainment circles, and her dramas are basically hits, and she is also the artist with the highest grossing rate in South Korea.
Since "My Love from the Star", Jun Ji-hyun's single-episode salary has reached 200 million won (approximately 1.06 million RMB), and Jun Ji-hyun has always talked about her strength since her debut, and there have been few scandals.
After giving birth in 2018, Jun Ji-hyun rarely took on roles. South Korea’s industry rules are very strict. Even for an actor of Jun Ji-hyun’s stature, the producers would not exaggerate the salary to attract her to come back.
Top 7 Korean drama actor salaries: Song Hye Kyo, 200 million won
Qiao Mei and Jun Ji Hyun have similar acting styles and similar styles, so their salaries are also similar!
It is worth mentioning that even though "Descendants of the Sun" was so popular, Song Hye Kyo's salary did not increase. When she starred in "Dark Glory", her single episode salary was still 200 million won.
After the divorce between Song and Song Dynasties, Song Hye Kyo's acting career changed drastically, and the role in the drama became "darker". In the new film "The Black Nun", Song Hye Kyo continues to challenge the dark style.
top6: Ji Changxu, 300 million won
Ji Changxu is a sunny and handsome multi-talented artist. When he appeared in "The K2" in 2016, his single episode salary had already reached 300 million won (approximately 1.6 million RMB)!
In August, the movie "Revolver" starring Ji Chang Wook was released, and at the end of the month, the TV series "Queen Yu" he starred in will also be launched. Ji Chang Wook has maintained strong competitiveness this year.
top5: Lee Jong Suk, 300 million won
Lee Jong Suk, who was born as a male model, is similar to Daniel Wu. He has always been the perfect handsome man in the eyes of female viewers in South Korea.
Since the Korean drama "I Hear Your Voice" became popular, his salary has increased day by day. In 2014, his salary for a single episode of "Pinocchio" was as high as 300 million won.
In 2020, Lee Jong Suk returned to the screen after being discharged from the army, and launched popular film and television dramas such as "The Black Lawyer" and "The Witch", becoming one of the most valuable stars in South Korea! Later, it was also reported that his relationship with IU gained a large number of CP fans, which can be said to be a gain in both career and love.
top4: Song Joong Ki, 300 million won
Stars with excellent acting skills and popularity such as Ji Chang Wook, Lee Jong Suk, and Song Joong Ki have almost the same salary, which is enough to show the healthy and stable model operation of the Korean entertainment industry.
When Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo were filming "Descendants of the Sun" together, Qiao Mei's salary was three times that of Song Joong Ki! After
's relationship was made public, Song Joong Ki's popularity and salary skyrocketed, once surpassing Song Hye Kyo.
It is worth mentioning that after the Song Dynasty divorced, Song Joong Ki made his romance public with his British girlfriend. In July, he also revealed the good news of his second child, which caused his popularity to gradually decline among fans of the Song Dynasty CP.
top3: iu Lee Ji-eun, 500 million won
The current Korean entertainment can be said to be "whoever gets Netflix wins the world". It is difficult for conventional Korea to break into the European and American markets, so Koreans combine kpop with dramas, and a large number of kpop singers are there Pursue Netflix’s resources, such as Lisa, Jenny Kim, etc.
Moreover, these kpop girl group singers also work hard to gain resources. Some perform Crazy Horse shows, and some take R-rated scenes. It can be said to be a fight between gods.
And iu Lee Ji-eun has always been an artist pursued by Netflix. According to Korean media, Lee Ji-eun and Park Bo Gum partnered in the Netflix Korean drama "Thank you for your hard work", and the single episode salary was as high as 500 million won! This made Lee Ji-eun the highest-paid actress in South Korea.
top2: Kim Soo-hyun, 500-800 million won
When Kim Soo-hyun starred in "It's Okay, I'm Mentally Ill", her salary reached the level of 300 million won for first-line stars. I thought this was already the salary cap for Korean male stars, but I didn't expect that "Someone" "One Day" gave a salary of up to 500 million won.
Now some Korean media have pointed out that Kim Soo Hyun’s single episode salary in "Queen of Tears" has soared to a sky-high price of 800 million won! (approximately 4.2 million RMB)
The total production cost of "Queen of Tears" was only 40 billion, and Kim Soo-hyun's salary accounted for one-third of the actors' salary, which caused an uproar in South Korea. Frightened, Kim Soo-hyun's agency immediately came forward to clarify that the actor did not charge such a high salary. Kim Soo-hyun himself claimed that he would reduce the salary to reduce the pressure on production costs.
top1: Lee Jung Jae, 1 billion won
After reading this list, everyone will know why Korean celebrities are desperately trying to become beautiful.
Because South Korea’s chaebols have formulated the rules of this industry chain, it is difficult for local actors to break through the upper limit. Their only breakthrough is to take over overseas dramas.
In the past, many Korean artists fought for the market in the mainland. After the Korean restrictions, they worked hard to break into the United States.
Before, "Parasite" knocked on the door of Oscars, and later, "Squidward Game" opened a new chapter in American-style Korean dramas.
As the only survivor in the first season, Lee Jung-jae not only won an Emmy Award, but his single-episode salary also soared from 300 million won to 1 billion won.
This article is originally edited by Crazy Film and Television Circle
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