Lee Byung Hun’s Million Dollar ‘Mr. Sunshine’ Deal Higher Than Gong Yoo, Song Joong Ki Rates
With the upcoming premiere of the tvN series Mr. Sunshine, an interesting detail about one of the said production's cast members was unveiled. Hollywood actor Lee Byung Hun reportedly signed a multi-dollar deal to star in screenwriter's Kim Eun Sook's period drama.
Avid K-drama fans have been looking forward to seeing the new period drama Mr. Sunshine. Penned by the Descendants of the Sun and Goblin writer Kim Eun Sook, the upcoming series includes a star-studded cast headed by veteran actor Lee Byung Hun. Given his participation in Hollywood movies such as G.I. Joe, Red 2, Terminator Genisys and more, it appears that the All In star was able to negotiate an impressive deal to appear in the tvN series.
Song Hye Kyo's former co-star is set to receive 150 million won (approximately $134,700) per episode, according to the Seoul Economic Daily Star. Given that the upcoming tvN series Mr. Sunshine has 24 episodes, Lee Byung Hun will be taking home 3.6 billion won (approximately $3.2 million).
The impressive pay is higher than many of the South Korean actors' rates. Gong Yoo and Song Joong Ki reportedly have 65 million won (approximately $58,290) and 60 million won (approximately $53,770) per drama episode rates, respectively.
The two actors both starred in Kim Eun Sook's earlier hit dramas. Gong Yoo played the titular role in the tvN series Goblin, while Song Joong Ki portrayed a special forces soldier in the KBS blockbuster drama Descendants of the Sun.
Despite the recent leak of Lee Byung Hun's allegedly salary for Mr. Sunshine, tvN declined to confirm the actor's rate. In a statement released by the South Korean cable company, tvN highlighted the confidentiality of a celebrity's negotiated pay for drama productions.
Meanwhile, Lee Byung Hun remained silent about the leak of his alleged salary package for Mr. Sunshine. The actor's agency has also neither denied nor confirmed the salary details.
Mr. Sunshine is scheduled to premiere on July 7. The drama will air every Saturday and Sunday on tvN.