We finally have an updated estimate of how much each of the biggest hallyu actors get paid per episode, and the numbers have gone up a lot!
Recently, a reporter named Ahn Jin Yong from Moonhwa Ilbo published a video discussing the topic revealing how much the biggest hallyu stars get paid per project.
Firstly, male actors such as Song Joong Ki, Ji Chang Wook, Lee Min Ho, Kim Soo Hyun, and Lee Jong Suk get paid over 300 million won [around 243,892$] per episode. According to the reporter, they need a guarantee that they would receive more than 300 million won per episode in a TV drama. As such, each of those massive actors get paid around $3 to 4$ million for a 16-episode drama. Of course, it would be less for a 12-episode drama or more for a 20-episode drama.
This number also takes into account the licensing fees of any drama starring these actors that could sell for $3 to 5$ million dollars per country. Meaning the number they receive per episode also reflects how much they can sell the project licensing fee using their name.
Given the fact that Song Joong Ki, Ji Chang Wook, Lee Min Ho, Kim Soo Hyun and Lee Jong Suk and other hallyu actors have large fanbases overseas, its guaranteed that those actors will receive larger amounts per episode.
The reporter also explained the actresses receive less than the actors, on average.
Top hallyu actresses such as Jun Ji Hyun and Song Hye Kyo get paid around 200 million won [around $162,595] per episode.
The reporter notes that with any actor’s popularity increasing due to the success of a drama, their pay can increase a lot too.
Song Hye Kyo has recently had a stellar comeback with “The Glory” and the reporter estimates she’ll be able to receive much more for her next project.
Source: A
Did any of these numbers surprise you?
