Kim Soo Hyun is one of the most famous actors in the world of K-dramas. His career is filled with many popular shows like Dream High, Moon Embracing the Sun, My Love from the Star, and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. His recent drama, Queen of Tears, was a huge success and even beat the popular series Crash Landing on You to become the highest-rated show on tvN. This success has helped Kim Soo Hyun become the highest-paid and richest K-drama actor today.
As of 2024, Kim Soo Hyun’s net worth is an incredible $117 million, which is about Rs 978 crore, according to Tatler Asia. He earns a huge amount for each episode of a K-drama. For example, he was paid ₩500 million, or Rs 3 crore, per episode. For an earlier drama, One Ordinary Day, which had eight episodes, he earned Rs 25 crore in total. However, for Queen of Tears, he accepted a lower payment because of his long-time relationship with the show’s writer, Park Ji Eun. Even so, he still earned ₩5 billion, or Rs 31 crore, for the 16-episode series.
Besides acting, Kim Soo Hyun makes a lot of money from advertisements. He is called the “CF King” because he has promoted many well-known brands like Tommy Hilfiger, MIDO Watches, and Dunkin’ Donuts. According to Lifestyle Asia, he earns around $6.6 million, or Rs 55 crore, every year just from these endorsements. His social media presence also brings him income. With 20.6 million Instagram followers, he is one of the most followed Korean actors. It is reported that he earns between $10,000 and $100,000 for each post, which is between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 83 lakh.
Kim Soo Hyun is also known for his luxurious lifestyle. He owns several expensive properties in South Korea. His real estate portfolio is valued at ₩30 billion, or around Rs 189 crore. One of his most expensive purchases is a penthouse in Seoul, which he bought for ₩8.8 billion, or Rs 55 crore. He also owns a home in Galleria Forêt, a famous luxury building in Seongsu-dong, which he bought in 2013 for ₩4.02 billion, or Rs 25 crore. This property is now worth ₩13.5 billion. In addition, he owns another property in Seoul Forest Trimage, which he bought for ₩3.02 billion, or Rs 19 crore.
When it comes to cars, Kim Soo Hyun enjoys driving luxury vehicles. In 2019, it was revealed that he had pre-ordered a BMW i8, which is the same car featured in the movie Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. The price of this car is around Rs 2.62 crore, according to CarWale.
After his success with Queen of Tears, Kim Soo Hyun is preparing for his next K-drama called Knock Off. This upcoming show is set during South Korea’s 1997 IMF crisis and follows the story of an ordinary office worker who becomes a major figure in the world of counterfeit goods. The series will also star Jo Bo Ah, Kwon Nara, and Yoo Jae Myung and is expected to be released in 2025 on Disney+ Hotstar.
Kim Soo Hyun’s journey, marked by top-rated shows, endorsements, and a lavish lifestyle, has made him one of the biggest names in the K-drama world. With his upcoming project Knock Off, it looks like his success will continue to grow.
