Here is another fascinating ranking from South Korea. It features the top 10 wealthiest Korean Actresses 2024. Additionally, we will reveal the highest-paid Korean actresses of 2024 and highlight the most influential female actors. The Korean film industry has experienced steady growth in recent years, producing numerous stars and global icons who have earned substantial amounts of money. You will also discover who the richest Korean actress of 2024 is. This ranking focuses on the earnings of these female actors from their successful movies, endorsement and advertising contracts, as well as other royalties and investments.
Who is the wealthiest Korean actress in 2024?
In 2024, Lee Young-are is the wealthiest South Korean actress, known for her popularity. She has an estimated net worth of 55 million dollars.
Who is the Korean actress earning the most in 2024?
Jun Ji-hyun, the top-earning Korean actress in 2024, receives a staggering $83,900 per episode for her ongoing TV shows. Additionally, she stands among the wealthiest Korean actresses in 2024.
2024's List of Wealthiest and Most Well-Paid Korean Actresses.
1. Lee Young-ae – $55 million
Lee Young-ae is a popular veteran South Korean actress and model. After appearing in numerous television commercials, she entered the world of television dramas as well as films. Dae Jang Geum (2003), and as a revenge seeking single mother in Park Chan-wook's crime thriller film Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005). She was ranked as the richest Korean actress 2024.
She was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador in 2004 by UNICEF and has since held several charity functions. She has made many donations to schools and hospitals, including the Chosun First Middle School in Harbin and an elementary school in China that was thereafter renamed Lee Young-Ae Elementary School. In 2007, she received the Medal of Culture Merit for her contribution to the Korean Wave from the South Korean government
In 2012, she served as the celebrity spokesperson for the “Love Donation” project, hosted by Woman Chosun magazine. She donated a large sum of money which will be used to build a school in Myanmar. In 2006, for the first time in 12 years, NHK had to use the NHK Hall to host the NHK show due to her popularity; and stamps featuring Lee was also released in Japan. She was also invited to the 2007 Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China. In 2006, Lee was invited sit on the jury bench of the International Berlin Film Festival, becoming the first Korean actress to be selected as a jury member of the international film festival.
2. IU – $50 million
IU, a talented South Korean singer-songwriter and actress, began her career as a trainee with Kakao M (formerly LOEN Entertainment) in 2007. She made her debut as a singer at the young age of fifteen with her album, Lost and Found. In addition to her music career, IU has also delved into hosting radio and television shows, as well as acting. She has appeared in various television series such as Dream High, You're the Best, Lee Soon-shin, Pretty Man, The Producers, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, My Mister, Persona, and Hotel del Luna.
2. Song Hye-kyo – $42 million
Song Hye-kyo, a 38-year-old South Korean actress, has been one of the highest paid actresses in Korea for a long time. She became popular all over Asia through her leading roles in TV dramas. In 2017, she was ranked 7th in Forbes magazine's Korea Power Celebrity list, and 6th in 2018. Her success in TV dramas made her a top Hallyu star internationally. In August 2014, Song publicly apologized for tax evasion after her undisclosed expenses were exposed by a politician overseeing the National Tax Service of South Korea. She claimed that her accountant mishandled her paperwork without her knowledge, resulting in ₩2.56 billion in omitted income tax from 2009 to 2011. After receiving a notification from the NTS in October 2012, Song paid ₩3.8 billion (US$3.7 million) to cover the tax balance and understatement of income tax penalties. In April 2014, she was billed an additional ₩700 million for her 2008 tax filing, as a result of a legally required five-year audit that was neglected since the 2012 notification. As of 2024, she is currently the second richest Korean actress.
3. Go Hyun-jung – $38 million
Go Hyun-jung, a well-known South Korean actress, first gained fame as a runner-up in the Miss Korea pageant in 1989. She later starred in the highly-rated drama Hourglass. After taking a break from acting to marry Chung Yong-jin in 1995, she returned to the industry in 2003 following their divorce. Go has since reclaimed her status as a top actress in Korea, earning the highest salary for her roles in Queen Seondeok and Daemul. In her upcoming drama, “Dear My Friends,” she will be paid 60 million won per episode. Go also teaches acting at Dongguk University and has her own fashion brand, atti.k, as well as a cosmetics line called koY. She is considered one of the wealthiest Korean actresses in 2024.
Kim Hye Soo, another popular actress, is currently starring in the hit drama “Signal” and is the second-highest paid actress after Go Hyun-jung. She earns 55 million won per episode for her role in the show, which has been a huge success across all age groups and cable channels.
5. Bae Suzy – $35 million
Suzy, a South Korean actress and singer, was part of the girl group Miss A under JYP Entertainment. Along with Fei and Jia, they formed the group ‘Miss A' and later Min joined in March 2010. Their album ‘Class A' was a huge success, leading to a national concert tour. They also had international tours, including China, and released the album ‘Touch' in 2012. In May 2014, Suzy starred in the film ‘The Sound of a Flower' as Jin Chae-sun, Korea's first female pansori singer. She is known as one of the wealthiest Korean actresses in 2024.
The movie tells the story of a singer facing gender discrimination during the Joseon era. Suzy trained in pansori for a year to prepare for the role. In the same year, she collaborated with Taiwanese singer-actor Show Lo on the single “Together In Love”. Suzy became a highly sought-after endorser in South Korea, earning the title of “CF Queen” for her numerous endorsement deals. In 2013, she made over 10 billion won from 14 endorsement deals.
6. Jun Ji-hyun – $31 million
Jun Ji-hyun, a well-known South Korean actress and model, has been recognized as one of the highest-paid Korean actresses in 2024. She gained popularity for her role as The Girl in the romantic comedy film My Sassy Girl (2001), which is considered one of the most successful Korean comedies of all time. Her films and TV dramas have achieved international success, establishing her as a prominent Hallyu star. Additionally, she has received critical acclaim for her performances in various historical dramas throughout her career. At the age of 17, she became the youngest person to be included in the Top 10 of Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list, ranking 8th in 2017.
In 2011, there was a controversy involving Jun's bank account, where SidusHQ CEO Jung Hoon-tak was accused of illegally using it to benefit from a merger and acquisition. It was alleged that Jung made ₩200 million by purchasing a stake in the junior KOSDAQ-listed company Stom E&F in 2009 using an account under Jun's name. Several months later, he publicly announced his intention to acquire Stom E&F through a filing. Jung and the former CEO of Stom E&F, Kwon Seung-shik, were reported for gaining unfair profits by leaking information about the M&A beforehand. During the investigation conducted by the Financial Supervisory Service, Jun stated that she had no knowledge of such an account existing under her name.
7. Choi Ji-woo – $30.5 million
Choi Ji-woo is a popular South Korean actress known for her work in melodramas like Beautiful Days, Winter Sonata, and Stairway to Heaven. She has also starred in romantic comedies like Twenty Again and Woman with a Suitcase. In addition to her success in South Korea, she is a top earner in Japan, commanding high licensing fees for her dramas and selling out concerts and merchandise.
8. Kim Tae-hee – $29 million
Kim Tae-hee, a well-known South Korean actress, is admired for her beauty and has gained fame through her roles in popular Korean dramas. She started her career in the modeling industry after being discovered by an advertising executive while riding the subway in 2000. From there, she appeared in various television commercials and print ads before making her acting debut in 2001. Throughout the years, Kim has starred in several films and sitcoms, showcasing her talent and versatility. Despite her success in the commercial industry, she has expressed her desire to be recognized for her acting skills rather than just her looks. In 2008, she was honored as the top advertising model by the Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation, earning her the title of “CF Queen”. Kim Tae-hee is also ranked as the fifth richest Korean actress in 2024.
9. JISOO – $25 million
Kim Yoo-jung is a famous South Korean actress who started her career as a child actress in 2003. She later transitioned into teen roles in television shows. Known as “Korea's Little Sister” in her younger years, she is now recognized as the “Sageuk Fairy” for her roles in historical dramas. In 2017, she was the youngest to rank 8th on Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list at 17 years old. She is also among the top 10 richest actresses in Korea in 2024.
In August 2016, Kim starred in the youth historical drama Love in the Moonlight alongside Park Bo-gum. The drama was a domestic hit with a peak audience rating of 23.3%, leading to its popularity being called the “Moonlight Syndrome”. Kim received the “Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama” at the 30th KBS Drama Awards for her portrayal of the cross-dressing heroine in Moonlight.
10. Han Ji-min – $25 million
Han Ji-min, a South Korean actress, gained recognition for her role in the revenge series Resurrection in 2005. She generously donated all her royalties to support the education of children in North Korea and developing countries in Asia. In 2012, she was appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. Han Ji-min also appeared in the popular film Crazy Rich Asians in 2018. Additionally, her latest film, Miss Baek, will kick off the New York Asian Film Festival's first-ever Winter Showcase in New York City. The festival's February event, titled Crazy Broke Asians, is a playful reference to the successful film Crazy Rich Asians, which received accolades at the Critics Choice Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
