K Drama actors enjoy massive popularity across the globe. So who’s the richest K-drama actress? Hint: It’s not Kim Ji Won, Son Ye Jin or Song Hye Kyo.
Meet the richest K-drama actress
The richest K-drama actress is Lee Young Ae. The multiple Baeksang Award nominee and winner’s staggering net worth stands between $40 million to $55 million (approximately between Rs 333 crore to Rs 457 crore), according to Celebrity Net Worth and Outlook India. Her notable works include Jewel in the Palace aka Dae Jang Geum, the iconic sageuk that helped spread the Hallyu wave, as well as Park Chan Wook’s Lady Vengeance, the popular neo-noir psychological thriller film.
Lee Young Ae — whose career spans three decades — was last seen making a successful K-drama comeback in Maestra: Strings of Truth as a world-renowned but secretive conductor of an orchestra alongside Lee Moo Saeng, Hwang Bo Reum Byeol and Kim Young Jae. Reportedly, Lee Young Ae’s next project will see her reprise the role of Dae Jang Geum, the first female royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty, in a sageuk K-drama titled Uinyeo Dae Jang Geum. However, the makers revealed that the series is independent of the 2003 hit Jewel in the Palace.
Before her breakout moments in television and film, Lee Young Ae had long established herself as a CF queen with a flourishing modelling career. The Inspector Koo star has endorsed and represented several luxury brands like Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci and Ferragamo Eyewear (she became the latter’s ambassador in 2020).
Meanwhile, Kim Ji Won, who is currently stealing hearts in Queen of Tears opposite Kim Soo Hyun, has a net worth of $5 million (approximately Rs 41 crore), according to Lifestyle Asia. As for Son Ye Jin, the Crash Landing on You star’s net worth stands at $20 million (approximately Rs 166 crore), according to Celebrity Net Worth. The Glory actress Song Hye Kyo‘s net worth stands between $20 million to $31 million (approximately between Rs 166 crore to Rs 258 crore), according to Celebrity Net Worth and South China Morning Post.
