The earnings of a female K-Pop idol have always been one of the most-talked topics on the internet. It is very true that the female K-Pop idols make a great amount of income as they are marketed by their agencies in many aspects. In fact, it is also proven that the pay gap between male and female K-Pop idols is uneven on many levels. It is no surprise as the South Korean entertainment industry has always been the market of male domination.
According to some official sources like the South Korean National Tax Service, the average annual earnings for a Korean idol was KR₩46.74 million (US$42,000) in the year 2013. In this, the average of a female idol was pretty low.
The Income Chart For a Female K-Pop Idol
As per many reports out there on the internet, female singers, on average, make $31,328, which is very low than the male idols out there. There also have been many incidents and data which revealed that between 1% of male and female singers, there is a very huge income gap. While male averages $2.8 million, the female average is only up to $1.35 million.
It is pretty clear from the above-mentioned data that female K-Pop idol has to face a great pay gap which is based on gender.
The Richest Female K-Pop Idols:
IU – $45 Million
With a net worth of around $45 million, IU is the richest female K-Pop idol. She debuted in the industry back in the year 2008 with the release of her mini-album titled ‘Lost and Found’. Since then, she has been unstoppable in all aspects of her career. Her albums like ‘Growing Up’ and ‘IU…IM’ brought her into the central media spotlight.
Every release by the artist has gained her a lot of success and new records. She has aced not only the music industry but also the acting arena with her incredible multitalented personality. Her appearance in dramas like ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’, ‘the Producers’, ‘Pretty Man’, and Hotel Del Luna’, have gained her the needed success.
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Lee Hyori – $40 Million
Lee Hyori is one of the most successful music personalities out there in the South Korean music industry. Nicknamed ‘Nation’s Fairy’ after her appearance in ‘Family Outings’, Lee Hyori made her debut in 1998, and her solo venture began in the year 2003 with the release of her solo album ‘Stylish’.
With her incredible charisma and talent, her vocal range was classified in the mezzo-soprano range. Also, her lead single from the same album swept away nearly all the Daesangs.
Moreover, she has also appeared in many television shows like ‘Happy Together Friends’, ‘Happy Together’, ‘Time Machine’, and many others.
Dara – $35 Million
Being the third richest female K-Pop idol out there, Sandara Park, or simply Dara, is recognized as a popular singer, actress, and television presenter. Being part of one of the best-selling girl groups i.e., 2NE1, Dara gained mainstream success at a very fast rate. Her lovable personality and global impact have made her an influential figure in the Korean Wave.
Her extended play titled ‘Sandara’ was released in the year 2004. The album earned platinum certification by the ‘Philippine Association of the Record Industry’. All of her releases after that bagged the top position everywhere in no time.
Apart from her music career, Dara has also acted in the web series ‘Dr. Ian’, for which she won the ‘Best Actress’.
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Suzy – $30 Million
Recognized as a former member of the girl group ‘Miss A’, Suzy is the fourth richest female K-Pop idol. With her godly facial features and incredible skills in hand, Suzy made her acting debut in the year 2011 with her appearance in ‘Dream High’.
Her character in the television series was appreciated by everyone out there, and therefore she got lots of other projects. She starred in series like ‘Gu Family Book’, ‘Uncontrollably Fond’, ‘While You Were Sleeping’, ‘Vagabond’, ‘Start-Up’ and ‘Anna’.
Her big-screen debut was through the movie ‘Architecture 101’ after which she was nicknamed ‘The Nation’s First Love’.
Yoona – $30 Million
Recognized as a singer and actress, Yoona is a member of one of the best-selling girl groups i.e., ‘Girls’ Generation’. Being a multitalented personality in the house, it didn’t take long for Yoona to win the hearts of millions out there.
Apart from her group activities, her solo ventures, too, have been appreciated globally. Her career breakout as an actress through the series ‘You Are My Destiny’ earned her the attention of everyone out there and also the ‘Best New Actress Award’.
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