Top 10 Most Paid Korean Drama Actors in 2020

Are you Korean drama or Kdrama lovers? You must have wondered how much do Korean drama actors earn for the dramas and movies you watch. And who are the most paid Korean drama actors in 2020?

Table of Contents

List of Top 10 Most Paid Korean Drama Actors

10. Ji Chang-wook

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Comes in #10 is the lead role of Dong-hae in the drama series, Smile Again. He also played several lead roles in TV series, like Warrior Baek Dong-soo, Empress Ki, Healer, The K2, Suspicious Partner, Melting Me Softly, and the newest one Backstreet Rookie with Kim Yoo-jung. Kdrama lovers have been waiting for Ji Chang-wook forthcoming Kdrama City Couple’s Way of Love.

Ji Chang-wook earns approximately US$ 42,000 per episode. He is also playing in a Chinese Drama, Mr. Right, at the end of 2020.

9. Song Joong-ki

Born on September 19, 1985, Song Joong-ki was famous for his historical drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal. Besides, he is one of the original cast members of the variety show Running Man. He also plays different roles in The Innocent Man, Descendants of the Sun, and Arthdal Chronicles. He is a shining star in Korean movies, like A Werewolf Boy and The Battleship Island.

Song Joong-ki earns US$50,300 per episode. Not only that, because of his appearance in Descendants of the Sun, he got Korea’s brand of the year award for representing over 30 brands in 2016.

8. Lee Jong-suk

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Debuted as a runway model, Lee Jong-suk rose fame for his role in School 2013. He also acts in I Can Hear Your Voice, Doctor Strange, Pinnochio, W, While You Were Sleeping, The Hymn of Death, and Romance is a Bonus Book. His must-watch Chinese drama is Jade Lover.

Lee Jong-suk earns US$ 50,300 per episode. He also won Male Top Excellent Awards in the 8^th Korea Drama Awards with his role as Choi Dal-po in Pinnochio. He also won Grand Prize (daesang) MBC Drama Awards in 2016 with W.

7. Yoo Ah-in

Originally named Uhm Hong-sik and professionally known as Yoo Ah-in is the next most paid Korean drama actor in 2020. He plays a diverse spectrum of roles in TV and film. He debuted in a low-budget indie film, Boys of Tomorrow. Ah-in’s rise to fame came in 2010 with his role in Sungkyunkwan Scandal. We can watch his new Korean drama #Alive on Netflix now.

Yoo Ah-in earns US$ 58,700 per episode. His other famous roles are in Punch, Secret Lover Affair, Veteran, The Throne, Six Flying Dragons, and Burning. He received the title of Actor of the Year in 2015 by Gallup Korea Survey and in 2016 ranked second in Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list.

6. Lee Seung-gi

A singer, actor, and host, Lee Seung-gi, is one of the most paid Korean drama actors in 2020 who earns US$ 59,000 per episode. As a singer, he has released numerous hit songs, such as Because You’re My Woman, Will You Marry Me, and Return. Additionally, he is a famous host of 1 Night 2 Days and Busted.

Meanwhile, as an actor, he rose to popularity in Korean dramas such as Brilliant Legacy, My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox, A Korean Odyssey, The King 2 Hearts, Gu Family Book, You’re All Surrounded, and Vagabond. He is inForbes Korea Power Celebrity in 2010 (#7), 2011 (#4), 2012 (#6) and 2015 (also #6).

5. Lee Min-ho

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Gaining his fame with his role as Gu Jun-pyo in Boys Over Flowers and winning the Best New Actor Award at the 45^th Baeksang Arts Awards, Lee Min-ho is #5 of the most paid Korean actors in 2020. He earns US$ 59,000 per episode.

His other dramas and films are also popular not only in Korea but also worldwide, such as Personal Taste, City Hunter, Legend of the Blue Sea, Bounty Hunters, and just-ended The King: Eternal Monarch. Moreover, Lee Min-ho is also the first Korean celebrity to have a wax figure image made at Madame Tussauds.

4. So Ji-sub

Born on November 4, 1977, So Ji-sub was actually a jeans model. He then became popular in Korean dramas for his leading roles in the television series What Happened in Bali, I’m Sorry I Love You, Can and Abel, Phantom, Master’s Sun, Oh My Venus, and the movie Rough Cut. Besides, he won Grand Prize at the 2018 MBC Drama Awards with his television series, My Secret Terrius.

So Ji-sub earns US$ 67,000 per episode. Not only good at modeling and acting, but he also loves photography and has released a photo collection, So Ji-sub’s Journey. Additionally, he is also good at rapping like in Lonely Life, Foolish Love.

3. Jo In-sung

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The next most paid Korean drama actor is Jo In-sung, with US$ 68,000 per episode. He gained widespread fame with What Happened in Bali, That Winter the Wind Blows, and It’s Okay That’s Love. Jo In-sung also appears in several films, such as The Classic, A Dirty Carnival, A Frozen Flower, The King, and The Great Battle. We can expect that his forthcoming film, Escape, will be on our must-watch list.

2. Hyun Bin

This is unfortunate that Hyun Bin’s first film, Shower, was not released due to a lack of funding. Though, he gained great success with his role in the 2005 romantic comedy television drama My Name is Kim Sam-soon. Since then, his appearance became a most-awaited in his other Korean dramas, such as in Secret Garden, Memories of Alhambra, and Crash Landing on You.

As one of the first actors in Korean drama and film, it is not surprising that Hyun Bin now earns US$ 84,000 per episode. Not only in Kdramas, but Hyun Bin also gains hi popularity by starring in a series of box office hits, such as Confidential Assignment, The swindlers, The Negotiation, and Rampant.

1. Kim Soo-hyun

Debuted with a television family sitcom Kimchi Cheese Smile in 2007, Kim Soo-hyun now earns jawdropping US$85,000 per episode. His other popular Kdramas are Dream High, Moon Embracing the Sun, My Love from the Star, The Producers, and the recent most-liked drama It’s Okay to Not be Okay. His films are The Thieves, Secretly Greatly, and Real.

Besides earning from Kdramas and Kmovies, he also became the face of 17 products and was a most intimate endorser of 35 products. Kim Soo-hyun was also listed as 30 under 30 in the business magazine Asia edition in 2016. Not only that, Forbes Korea Power Celebrityhad him on the list in 2013 (#4), 2015 (#2), and 2016 (#5).