Korea’s Highest-Paid Celebrities: Park Hyung-sik and Lee Jung-jae Lead the List
A post titled “The Identity of the Male Actor Who Earns 500 Million KRW per Episode” recently appeared on an online community, accompanied by a photo and text.
This post revealed that actor Park Hyung-sik earns 500 million KRW (approximately 345,000 USD) per episode for his role in the JTBC drama “Dr. Slump.” Park Hyung-sik originally debuted as a member of the boy group ZE:A before transitioning to acting. He has since proven his acting abilities through various roles in dramas such as “I Remember You,” “The Heirs,” “My Family,” “High Society,” “Strong Woman Do Bong-soon,” “Dr. Slump,” and “Buried Hearts.” Recently, Park Hyung-sik took on the role of Seo Dong-ju in SBS’s “Buried Hearts.” His character is portrayed as an individual with exceptional memory and intelligence, and he captivates viewers with his portrayal of a man who, after being betrayed by his lover, returns to life seeking revenge against those who wronged him. This cold yet emotionally charged performance has captured the attention of many fans.
The increasing popularity of OTT content in Korea has also led to greater attention on celebrities’ high salaries. It was revealed that Kim Soo-hyun received 500 million KRW per episode for his role in the Coupang Play drama “One Ordinary Day,” and about 300 million KRW for his appearance in the tvN drama “Queen of Tears.” According to reports, Kim Soo-hyun earned approximately 4 billion KRW from One Day and around 5 billion KRW from “Queen of Tears.” These figures shocked netizens, showing just how lucrative roles in high-profile dramas can be for top actors.
Additionally, Park Bo-gum and IU are said to have earned 500 million KRW per episode for the Netflix drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” while actor Choi Min-sik received 350 million KRW per episode for his role in the Disney+ drama “Casino.” Actor Song Joong-ki, known for his role in the JTBC drama “Reborn Rich,” reportedly received 300 million KRW per episode.
The highest-paying role among Korean actors currently belongs to Lee Jung-jae, who is said to earn 1 billion KRW per episode for his role in “Squid Game Season 2” on Netflix. As a result, Lee Jung-jae’s salary has made him the top-earning actor in the country.
The news of his earnings has prompted many reactions from netizens. One netizen commented, “This is why celebrities do what they do,” while another expressed surprise at Park Hyung-sik’s earnings, stating, “Park Hyung-sik gets 500 million KRW per episode.” Others voiced envy toward Lee Jung-jae, with one writing, “I envy Lee Jung-jae,” while another added, “Don’t worry about celebrities,” reflecting the growing recognition of just how much celebrities earn for their roles in successful dramas. Some people also noted, “They must work hard for it,” while others simply said, “I envy them,” reflecting both admiration and envy of the actors’ impressive earnings.
These high salaries highlight not only the immense popularity and value of Korean drama stars but also the increasing influence of OTT platforms in shaping the Korean entertainment industry.
