Kim Soo Hyun, South Korea's Highest-Paid Actor in 2021

The popularity of Korean dramas is exploding globally. This success has led to exorbitant fees for many South Korean actors and actresses in the television and film industries.

According to Lifestyle Asia, Kim Soo Hyun was the highest-paid South Korean actor in 2021, earning approximately US$440,000, or Rp 6.21 billion (at an exchange rate of Rp 14,134/US$), per episode in the series *One Ordinary Day*, a remake of the BBC's *Criminal Justice*.

Kim began his career in 2007 with the drama *Kimchi Cheese Smile*. More recently, he starred in *It's Okay to Not Be Okay* (2020), for which he reportedly earned around US$155,000 per episode.

Song Joong Ki came in second, earning US$170,000 per episode for the Netflix series *Vincenzo* (2021). Hyun Bin followed, earning US$113,000 per episode.

So Ji Sub and Jo In Sung each received approximately US$90,000 per episode, while Jun Ji Hyun earned US$85,000 per episode.

Below is a list of the highest-paid South Korean actors and actresses in 2021:

1. Kim Soo Hyun – US$440,000
2. Song Joong Ki – US$170,000
3. Hyun Bin – US$113,000
4. So Ji Sub – US$90,000
5. Jo In Sung – US$90,000
6. Jun Ji Hyun – US$85,000
7. Lee Min Ho – US$80,000
8. Lee Seung Gi – US$60,000
9. Ji Chang-wook – US$50,000
10. Song Hye Kyo – US$40,000