Lee Byung Hun, Park Bo Gum & Other Korean Actors' Earnings Per K-Drama Episode Revealed

by Betty Potts / Jul 04, 2018 03:41 AM EDT

With the success of K-dramas and K-movies today, its actors' fame is also skyrocketing. Photo by KBS World TV/YouTube Screenshot

With the success of K-dramas and K-movies today, its actors' fame is also skyrocketing. In fact, they are not just known in Korea but in other countries as well. Some of the great examples here are Lee Byung Hun, Lee Jong Suk, and Park Bo Gum, among others. As their fame is now visibly seen internationally, expect these guys are earning millions in just one K-drama episode.

So the question is, how much do these actors earn from doing a new K-drama or K-movie this 2018? Take a look at the list below.

Lee Byung Hun

According to Koreaboo, Lee Byung Hun is about to return to the small screen in a new K-drama after nine years. The show in question is tvN's upcoming series, Mr. Sunshine.

Allegedly, Lee Byung Hun is paid 150 million Korean won or about 140,000 USD to play his role per episode. As Mister Sunshine is set to have 24 episodes, the 47-year-old star will be earning a total of 3.6 billion Korean won or roughly 3.2 million USD.

Lee Jong Suk

Lee Jong Suk is said to earn between 130 million to 150 million Korean Won or about 120,000 to 140,000 USD per K-drama episode. In fact, he was reportedly paid about 3.4 million USD or roughly 3.8 billion Korean won when he did While You Were Sleeping opposite Suzy Bae in 2017.

This year, Lee Jong Suk is likely to be enlisted in the military, per Soompi. After canceling his enlistment because of his busy schedule, the 28-year-old star promised to greet his fans first before his recruitment.

Lee Seung Gi

Just like Lee Jong Suk, Lee Seung Gi also receives the same amount, 130 million to 150 million Korean Won or about 120,000 to 140,000 USD per episode when he did A Korean Odyssey in 2017. For a total of 20 episodes, he reportedly earned 2.3 billion Korean won or about 2.1 million USD.

Now, Lee Seung Gi will be reunited with Suzy Bae in the upcoming new series, Vagabond. They will be playing the role of an action star-wannabe, Cha-gun, and an official of the National Intelligence Service, Go Hae Ri. The two first worked together in the 2013 MBC fantasy drama Gu Family Book, per Inquirer Entertainment.

Hyun Bin

Hyun Bin has an upcoming drama, titled Memories of the Alhambra, together with Park Shin Hye. Here, he is expected to receive 100 million Korean won or about 90,000 USD per episode.

In Memories of the Alhambra, Hyun Bin will be playing the role of Yoo Jin Woo. He is an investment firm CEO who will travel to Spain and stay at an old hostel owned by Jung Hee Joo (Park Shin Hye).

Park Bo Gum

Park Bo Gum also has a new K-drama coming, titled The Boyfriend, with Song Joong Ki's wife, Song Hye Kyo. Here, he is also expected to receive 100 million Korean won or about 90,000 USD per episode.

According to All pop, The Boyfriend will be telling the story of a woman who has everything in life and a man who has nothing. The upcoming drama will be seen on tvN, although the network revealed that it is still developing the series' format.