If you have been stalking your favorite kdrama actresses, then you probably know that they are RICH! Due to this, many fans wonder who are the richest Korean actresses. Every passing second, the K-Drama industry grows more and more popular. And why shouldn’t it? K-Dramas possess a brilliant storyline, unique characters, soothing OSTs, and the most captivating love stories. Apart from all these logical reasons, a huge factor behind why kdramas are pulling the global audience towards themselves is because of the insanely attractive kdrama actors and actresses. There have been countless times when people just dive into the show because of the actor that is starring in it. Not to point fingers, but a majority of viewers started watching Cheese In The Trap just because of the loved Korean actress, Kim Go Eun.
Although kdrama actors are always fawned over, there has been a surge of fangirls for kdrama actresses. From Jun Ji Hyun’s selling out nearly everything that she wore in the fantasy romance drama My Love From Another Star, Park Min Young making pencil skirts a trend again after What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, and Jung Yo Bin proving that women’s suit suits better in Vincenzo. Kdrama actresses have a chokehold on us, and their major influence brings them a huge amount of earnings. So without further ado, let us find out who are the richest Korean actresses in 2022!
Richest Korean Actresses In 2022!
1. Jun Ji Hyun
It is no secret that Jun Ji Hyun is one of the most sought-after actresses in the Korean industry. Furthermore, she is also one of the richest Korean actresses. Jun Ji Hyun is reported to be a part of Korea’s richest 1% of the society. For those of you who do not know, Jun Ji Hyun is a 40-year-old actress under Culture Depot. Additionally, the actress is also the face that brought many of us to the kdrama side of the world. She is best known for iconic roles in kdramas such as My Love From Another Star, Legends Of The Blue Sea, Jirisan, and Kingdom. Apart from Kdramas, Jun Ji Hyun is known as the Blockbuster Queen because every movie that she is a part of does wonders at the box office.
The actress has cemented her position as one of the most powerful Korean actresses. Just in 2016, Jun Ji Hyun made a whopping 14 Billion Wons solely through advertisements. Furthermore, Jun Ji Hyun is also one of the highest-paid Korean actresses, with an approximate fee of US$ 84,000 per episode. Additionally, Jun Ji Hyun was also chosen as the Korean Brand Ambassador for the luxury fashion brand Alexander McQueen in 2020. Not only is Jun Ji Hyun one of the richest Korean actresses herself, but she is also married rich. Jun Ji Hyun is married to a famous banker named Choi Joon Hyuk, who is a descendant of the famous fashion designer Lee Jung Woo. At 40, Jun Ji Hyun is still reigning over the Kdrama industry in 2022! If you want a more in-depth view of Jun Ji Hyun’s net worth, then click here.
2. Song Hye Kyo
Does she really need an introduction? Song Hye Kyo, queen of hearts and also, as a matter of fact, one of the richest Korean actresses. With her roles in kdramas such as Descendants Of The Sun, Now, We Are Breaking Up, Autumn In My Heart, and That Winter, the Wind Blows, Song Hye Kyo has proven to be one of the most profound actresses in the Korean industry. Moreover, ever since she ranked in the 7th position on the Forbes Korea Power Celeb list in 2017, Song Hye Kyo has remained a reoccurring name in the top 10. Furthermore, Song Hye Kyo is considered to be a lucky charm for brands. She is the Asia Pacific brand ambassador for the well-known jewelry house Chaumet.
Her latest acting venture was in the melodrama Now, We Are Breaking Up, where it was reported that Song Hye Kyo received 200 million Wons for each episode. Ever since starring alongside Rain in the popular Korean sit-com ‘Full House‘ Song Hye Kyo has remained one of the richest actresses in Korea. Furthermore, a lot of her money goes to a good cause. Song Hye Kyo is often seen donating to organizations that work for the welfare of animals and also on the education of the underprivileged. The actress has been in the industry for over two decades and will not be leaving the count for richest Korean actresses anytime soon!
Also Read: BTS To Add 10 Billion Dollars to the South Korean Economy
3. Kim Tae Hee
Jun Ji Hyun, Song Hye Kyo, and Kim Tae Hee are the power puff girls or ‘The Troika’ of the Korean entertainment industry. The actresses have received this name because of their major influence over the industry. For those of you who do not know, Kim Tae Hee is a 42-year-old South Korean actress under BS Company. Additionally, Kim Tae Hee earned her status as one of the most powerful Korean actresses through her roles in kdramas such as Stairway To Heaven, Nine-Tailed Fox, Love Story In Harvard, Yong Pal, and Hi Bye, Mama!
Moreover, Kim Tae Hee gets paid approximately US$ 37,000 for each episode. No wonder she is one of the richest Korean actresses. Apart from acting, Kim Tae Hee is also the face of many popular Korean brands. It seems that Kim Tae Hee has the best of both worlds because she is also married to the acting and music sensation Rain or Jung Ji Hoon. The two of them were labeled as the power couple of South Korea long before Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin.
4. Lee Young Ae
The oldest and the most evergreen Jewel in the kdrama palace is undoubtedly Lee Young Ae. Furthermore, Lee Young Ae is a 51-year-old South Korean model turned actress under Good People Entertainment. She received worldwide recognition for her role in the historical kdrama Jewel In The Palace. Moreover, Lee Young Ae charges approximately US$ 90,000 for each episode. The actress made a stunning comeback after four years with the thrilling drama ‘Inspector Koo’.
Furthermore, apart from slaying it in the acting industry Lee Young Ae is a businesswoman herself. She launched her own beauty and skincare line named ‘Lya Beauty’ in the year 2015. Her brand is one of the most popular brands in China and Korea. Moreover, Lee Young Ae is very devoted to charity work. She was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF in 2004 and has done exemplary charity work ever since. Although she is one of the richest Korean actresses, Lee Young Ae is also equally generous.
5. Shin Min Ah
The dimpled beauty Shin Min Ah is among the Korean actresses with the highest earnings. She has a face that cannot be missed, especially if you are a kdrama fan. Additionally, Shin Min Ah is a 38-year-old South Korean actress under AM Entertainment. Shin Min Ah played the role of the sassy nine-tailed fox in the classic fantasy romance kdrama ‘My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox’. Her role in the revenge romance kdrama Oh My Venus cemented her spot as a favorite fan actress. And if these two kdrama did not ring a bell, then Hometown Cha Cha Cha definitely will!
Although a natural actress, Shin Min Ah stepped into the entertainment industry as a model. In 2009, she featured in Elle Korea and The New York’s Time T Magazine. Apart from acting and modeling, the actress has also lent her voice to several soothing soundtracks. The actress reportedly earns a whopping amount of US$ 25,000 for one episode. If you do your math right, it would be US$ 400,000 for a sixteen-episode-long kdrama.
Moreover, Shin Min Ah also makes a fortune through her multiple brand endorsements. Most recently, Shin Min Ah was appointed as the Korean ambassador for the luxury fashion brand Gucci. She also models for other popular luxury brands such as Roger Vivier, The North Face, and Cartier. The actress is also highly praised because of her charity work. In 2021, she donated a 100 Million Won to children suffering from the Covid-19 infection. Not only is she one of the richest Korean actresses, but she is also rich at heart.