Top 7 highest-paid Korean actors in 2024

Kim Soo-hyun

Kim Soo-hyun is one of the biggest names in the world of Korean drama. He is allegedly paid around USD 423,000 per episode of his shows. He is a two-time winner of the Grand Bell Awards, which are South Korea’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. He is famous for his shows like One Ordinary Day, Hotel del Luna, Rashes Landing on You and many more.

Lee Jung-jae

A renowned movie star, Lee Jung Jae, gained international fame in 2021 with Squid Game, a Netflix show. Some of his famous shows are Reader and Deliver Us from Evil. He also made his directorial debut with the film Hunt. Lee is reportedly paid USD 248,000 per episode. 

Song Joong-ki

Song Joong-ki is a very popular South Korean actor and has become the toast of K-drama fans worldwide. He was reportedly paid around USD 170,000 per episode for Vincenzo, making him one of the highest-paid Korean K-drama actors of the year. Apart from Vincenzo, he is famous for shows like Descendants of the Sun, The Battleship Island and more.

Song Hye-kyo

Song Hye-kyo is one of the most popular female Korean actors. she is paid somewhere around USD 160,000 per episode. Some of her noticeable shows are, Autumn in My Heart, Full House, That Winter, the Wind Blows, etc.

Jun Ji-hyun

Jun Ji-hyun is one of the biggest stars in Korean entertainment. She recently got international recognition for Ashin of the North, a Netflix horror thriller. As per a report by Hankook Ilbo, she is paid around USD 160,000 per episode. Some of her famous shows are My Sassy Girl, The Thieves and more.

Lee Young-ae

Lee Young-ae charges USD 160,000 per episode. With well-known movies like Joint Security Area, One Fine Spring Day, and Park Chan-wooks critically acclaimed thriller Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, for which she received multiple awards, including a Grand Bell Award and a Blue Dragon Film Award, Lee has gained international recognition since the beginning of her career.

Hyun Bin

Hyun Bin commands upwards of USD 113,000 per episode. He has established his name as a major star in the Korean entertainment industry with shows like A Millionaire’s First Love, Late Autumn, Confidential Assignment and more.