Jang Wonyoung has once again shocked the Korean internet—
At only 21 years old, she purchased a luxury home in Hannam-dong for 13.7 billion KRW, fully paid in cash, and the property even used to be Kim Tae-hee and Rain’s home before marriage.
The house is located in the prestigious Lucid House within the famous UN Village. With only 15 standalone units, about 244㎡ each, plus 24-hour security, a private elevator, and stunning views of both the Han River and Namsan, it’s often called “the Korean version of Tomson Riviera” — and it absolutely lives up to the name.
This property also comes with a star-studded history. Kim Tae-hee and Rain bought it in 2012 for 4.35 billion KRW and sold it in 2018 for 6.4 billion KRW, earning over 2 billion in six years. Now Wonyoung is taking over at 13.7 billion — the appreciation is jaw-dropping.
Some people complain that “60 million RMB in Seoul only gets you a large apartment,” but that’s oversimplified. Hannam-dong is basically the equivalent of Beijing’s top villa zones — only true elites can live there.
What shocked people most was the registry showing:
“No mortgage.”
Meaning:
Full. Cash. Payment.
So the real question is: where did a 21-year-old get that kind of money?
Many know her as a member of IVE, a pretty idol who sings and dances. But in reality, her business value goes far beyond that.
She holds brand endorsements in nine major industries — from finance and beauty to premium appliances. Her Instagram posts routinely surpass 3 million likes, and she constantly ranks No.1 in girl-group individual brand reputation. “Commercial queen” is practically her middle name.
Remember the viral “turn-and-hip-twist” dance move from last year? It spread worldwide overnight. For brands, this kind of explosive influence literally equals money.
A 21-year-old paying for a luxury home in full?
That’s pure commercial power.
Her choice of property is also smart — Kim Tae-hee once earned over 2 billion KRW from this exact home. With Wonyoung buying it now, it may very well rise again in value.
Meanwhile, IVE just held three consecutive sold-out shows at KSPO DOME. While fans were cheering for her onstage, she was quietly completing her first major real-estate investment.
From survival-show champion to “advertising queen” and now a “real-estate investor,” Jang Wonyoung has built a remarkably stable path.
It’s impossible not to feel a bit envious. But surviving — and thriving — in the fiercely competitive K-pop industry requires far more effort than anyone sees.
A 21-year-old buying a luxury home outright shatters the usual assumptions about young idols. We once thought idols only “survive on looks,” yet her business acumen clearly rivals that of many adults.
Of course, not every idol can replicate her success. In reality, only a handful in the entire K-pop scene could do what she did. Most idols still need to climb step by step.
But no matter what, Wonyoung has proven:
This is what top-tier commercial value looks like.
This is the new generation’s version of wealth creation.
The era has truly changed.
