Controversial Shift in Earnings
The entertainment industry in South Korea is abuzz with news that Kim Soo Hyun has lost his title as the highest-paid actor to Park Hyung Sik. According to a report from The Korea Times, Kim earned a staggering 5 billion won (approximately US$3.4 million) for his recent drama, Queen of Tears. This translates to approximately 312.5 million won (US$214,377) per episode, a rate that accounted for a notable chunk of the drama’s 40 billion won production budget.
Comparative Earnings of South Korean Actors
In context, Kim’s previous earnings far surpassed many of his contemporaries. For example, Hyun Bin commands about US$84,000 per episode, while So Ji Sub and Jo In Sung earn around US$67,000. Other prominent actors like Lee Min Ho and Lee Seung Gi follow suit, with respective fees of US$62,000 and US$59,000 per episode. These figures highlight the significant financial standing Kim held among his peers prior to this shift.
Park Hyung Sik’s Rise to Fame
In a surprising turn of events, Park Hyung Sik has reportedly overtaken Kim with his recent contract for the 2024 drama Doctor Slump, earning a remarkable 500 million won per episode. This totals 8 billion won (around US$5.5 million) for the 16-episode series. Moreover, reports indicate that Park is in negotiations for an even higher fee for his upcoming project Buried Hearts. Having debuted as a member of the K-pop group Ze:a in 2010, Park has carved out a successful acting career with notable roles in popular dramas such as Strong Girl Bong Soon and Our Blooming Youth.
