1. Introduction
South Korean actor Kim Soo‑hyun has become a cultural and financial powerhouse. Rising to fame through iconic dramas like Dream High, My Love From the Star, and more recently Queen of Tears, his headline success led to extraordinary earnings. This article explores how he built his net worth, examining income sources, valuable assets, management roles, legal issues, Kim Soo‑hyun Net Worth and long-term financial strategy.
2. Kim Soo‑hyun: Who He Is
- Born February 16, 1988, in Seoul, South Korea.
- Gained fame in 2011 with Dream High, followed by hits like Moon Embracing the Sun Kim Soo‑hyun Net Worth and My Love From the Star.
- Winner of multiple prestigious awards: Baeksang Arts, Blue Dragon Film, Grand Bell Awards
- Active businesswoman: co‑founder of Goldmedalist entertainment, launched in December 2019
3. Drama Earnings Breakdown
Lee’s acting fees are at the higher end of the K‑drama market.
- Charges around ₩500 million (~$348,000 USD) per episode
- For Queen of Tears (16 episodes), he earned ₩5 billion (~$3.7 million) total
- For One Ordinary Day (eight episodes), approximately Rs 25 crore (~$3 million), or $0.375 million USD per episode
This consistent high per-episode rate is a key building block in his net worth.
4. Brand Endorsements & Social Media
Kim is often called the “CF King” (Commercial Film King):
- Earns about $6.6 million USD per year from endorsements
- Collaborates with brands like Tommy Hilfiger, MIDO Watches, COSRX, Dunkin’ Donuts, and previously, Prada, CJ Foodville, etc.
- With over 20 million Instagram followers, he charges $10k–$100k USD per post.
- This endorsement income rival his drama earnings.
5. Real Estate and Investments
Kim owns multiple high-value properties:
- Owns a ₩8.8 billion (~$6.2 million USD) penthouse in Seoul overlooking the Han River
- Owns three units in Galleria Foret complex, one sold at ₩9 billion (≈ $6.43 million) in April 2025—indicating a gain of ₩5.3 billion since 2020
- His real estate portfolio is valued at approximately ₩30 billion (~$18 million USD)
These property investments have generated tens of millions in unrealized gains.
6. Management Agency Ownership
- Co‑founded Goldmedalist in 2019 with relatives and production colleagues
- The agency has expanded to manage actors and to co-produce series like It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) and One Ordinary Day (2021)
- His ownership shares and back-end profit involvement add to his wealth.
7. Estimating His Net Worth
Net worth estimations vary:
- $117 million (~Rs 978 crore) as of late‑2024 per Tatler Asia and GQ India
- Alternative sources estimate $67 million in 2025 .
- Conservative consensus: $80–$120 million USD.
- Listed as richest Korean actor by Tatler/GQ
- Nubia Magazine ranked him #1 richest actor with $67 million
The higher figure includes estimated endorsement income, property appreciation, Kim Soo‑hyun Net Worth and company stakes.
8. Notable Assets and Properties
Key possessions:
These holdings alone represent over $15 million USD, excluding appreciation.
9. Financial Impact of Controversies
Recent dating allegations:
- Accusation of dating Kim Sae‑ron when she was a minor led to major backlash in March 2025.
- Resulted in ending major brand contracts, including Prada, CJ Foodville, and others.
- Lawsuits filed for over $4 million USD in damages .
- Upcoming drama Knock-Off was postponed/suspended; fan events canceled.
These events may temporarily reduce income but likely won’t impact long‑term net worth.
10. Lawsuits & Brand Fallout
- Multiple cases seeking return of endorsement fees (~₩2–3 billion per contract, ~$1M USD each).
- Prada and CJ Foodville ended contracts around March 2025.
Though reputationally damaging, his capital buffer is sufficient to absorb these litigations Kim Soo‑hyun Net Worth and contractual losses.
11. Upcoming Projects & Future Earnings
- Knock‑Off, a black‑comedy crime drama, was postponed; once released it could provide high earnings.
- Expected comeback with global streaming platforms, making new shows and films lucrative again.
- Greater focus on agency and production revenue from Goldmedalist’s expanding portfolio.
His diversified income plan ensures long‑term growth.
12. Wealth Comparison in Hallyu
- Versus peers: Hyun Bin net worth ~$21M; Lee Min-ho ~$26M; Jun Ji-hyun ~$28M.
- He surpasses them, consistently reported as richest Korean actor.
- Properties and agency make his financial position uniquely robust.
13. Philanthropy & Charity
Though not always publicized, Kim has been involved in charitable causes. Hallyu stars often contribute to children’s welfare, education, Kim Soo‑hyun Net Worth and disaster relief. His foundation or Goldmedalist may support projects indirectly.
14. Financial Lessons from Kim Soo‑hyun
- Diversify income: acting, endorsements, real estate, business.
- Invest in real estate: property appreciation provides stable returns.
- Control your business: as a shareholder in agency, he benefits from corporate profits.
- Personal brand matters: scandals can dent income, but assets cushion against risks.
- Global reach: international fanbase ensures revenue beyond Korea.
15. Conclusion
Kim Soo‑hyun stands today as a powerhouse in Hallyu with net worth conservatively estimated between $80 and $120 million USD. His estate portfolio, drama fees, endorsement earnings, Kim Soo‑hyun Net Worth and agency stake reflect a smart, multi‑pillar strategy. While the 2025 controversy may dent endorsements, his diversified wealth Kim Soo‑hyun Net Worth and brand control imply sustainable resilience. As he returns with heavyweight projects, his financial ascent is set to continue.
FAQs
1. What is Kim Soo‑hyun’s exact net worth?
Estimates range from $67 million to $117 million USD, with most reliable figures around $100 million.
2. How much does he earn per episode?
Typically ₩500 million (~$348K USD) per episode; drew ₩5B (~$3.7M USD) for Queen of Tears.
3. What brands has he endorsed?
Works with Tommy Hilfiger, MIDO Watches, COSRX, Dunkin’ Donuts; previously Prada Kim Soo‑hyun Net Worth and CJ Foodville.
4. How valuable is his real estate portfolio?
Estimated at ₩30 B (~$18 million USD) in Seoul real estate.
5. Why did his net worth drop recently?
Dating scandal resulted in canceled endorsements (Prada, CJ Foodville), lawsuits seeking over $4M in.
6. What is Goldmedalist?
Entertainment agency he co-founded in 2019. Produces dramas/shows like It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.
7. Are his upcoming projects affected?
Knock‑Off was postponed indefinitely pending resolution of scandal .
