The earnings of top Korean actors per episode have become a hot topic online.

Recently, an online post titled The Male Actor Who Earns 500 Million KRW Per Episode revealed that Park Hyung Sik was paid 500 million KRW (~$375,000 USD) per episode for his role in JTBC’s Doctor Slump. Originally debuting as a member of ZE:A, Park Hyung Sik later became a successful actor.

He has starred in many dramas, including The Heirs, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Happiness, Our Blooming Youth, Doctor Slump, and his latest work, SBS’s Buried Hearts.

In Buried Hearts, he plays a genius with an extraordinary memory who seeks revenge after being betrayed. His intense performance has impressed many fans.

With the rise of OTT (over-the-top) streaming content, actors’ skyrocketing salaries have shocked netizens.

Kim Soo Hyun reportedly earned 500 million KRW per episode for Coupang Play’s One Ordinary Day and around 300 million KRW (~$225,000 USD) per episode for tvN’s Queen of Tears.

This means he likely made around 4 billion KRW (~$3 million USD) from One Ordinary Day and 5 billion KRW (~$3.75 million USD) from Queen of Tears.

Meanwhile, other big names also earn huge amounts per episode:

Park Bo Gum and IU – 500 million KRW for Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines
Choi Min Sik – 350 million KRW (~$260,000 USD) for Disney+’s Big Bet
Song Joong Ki – 300 million KRW (~$225,000 USD) for JTBC’s Reborn Rich

At the top of the list, Lee Jung Jae secured the highest per-episode earnings in Korea, reportedly making 1 billion KRW (~$750,000 USD) per episode for Netflix’s Squid Game Season 2.

Netizens reacted with mixed feelings:

“This is why people dream of becoming celebrities.”

“Park Hyung Sik makes 500 million KRW per episode? Wow.”

“Lee Jung Jae’s earnings are insane.”

“No need to worry about celebrities’ financial struggles.”

“They must be working incredibly hard to earn that much.”

“I’m just jealous.”

What are your thoughts?

Source: [1]

Kim Soo Hyun’s downfall is happening fast, and it’s not just in Korea.

Following his controversy, international businesses are cutting ties without hesitation. Videos of employees removing his standees and posters are going viral online.

One clip shows staff taking down a Kim Soo Hyun-themed photo booth, while another captures a hospital worker in Thailand tossing his life-sized standee into the trash.

The backlash stems from allegations that Kim Soo Hyun was romantically involved with the late Kim Sae Ron since she was a minor and ignored her financial struggles.

Given his immense global popularity through My Love from the Star and Queen of Tears, international fans are deeply disappointed, with some even calling for his retirement from the industry.

In Korea, brands that once proudly endorsed him are now in crisis mode.

Outdoor ads featuring him have been removed, and luxury brand Prada announced, “Considering the gravity of the issue, we have decided to terminate our contract.”

Even cosmetics brand Dinto, which initially said they would "wait and see," has now confirmed they are officially canceling his contract through legal measures.

With his career on pause, his segments in the MBC variety show Good Day are also set to be completely edited out. All eyes are now on what Kim Soo Hyun’s next move will be.

Source (1)