Will any individual Kpop figure beat the record of the highest paid idol, held by Lee Jieun till 2020?

  • Will there be any individual KPop figure other than BTS who will earn more than IU? 8

    1. Yes (3) 38%
    2. No (3) 38%
    3. Whyknock is afraid that IU is going to lose her top earning position (2) 25%

    Lee Jieun , in 2017, was paid 10 billion won (about $9 million), which was the highest of all idols up to that point.


    While BTS has apparently beaten the record in 2020, it is not comparable to anyone in any country's pop so it is off discussion.


    I wrote back then that Lee Jieun had outearned the highest paid Japanese entertainer, whose name escapes me now. I think it was Hamasaki Ayumi but not sure, The list I brought up did not include DBSK, showing its actual earnings were not as much as advertised.


    Lee Jieun had achieved the impossible by being the effective owner of her company, even in 2017 when she was under KakaoM, since she was the sole person in her department and she had the rights to audit Kakao's books, a right which was unprecedented in the history of KPop up to that time.


    It took BTS, who are world figures, to overcome the record set by Lee Jieun, who from 2015 at least had the control of her finances.


    Hybe is likely to be more strict on acts not named BTS.


    BlackPink are worldwide celebs but their earnings have to exceed at least $30 million to exceed the peak earning of the Effective Owner of Edam , who now only has to reveal the Kakao side of earnings and keep the rest private.


    What do you think?

  • WhyKnock

    Changed the title of the thread from “Will any female figure beat the record of the highest paid idol, held by Lee Jieun till 2020?” to “Will any individual Kpop figure beat the record of the highest paid idol, held by Lee Jieun till 2020?”.
  • Where is this 9m figure coming from?


    Anyway, i doubt any solo artist have earned more than Ayumi Hamasaki in a single year either way, considering she was at her peak before digitals took over and is the best selling solo artist ever in japan (60m+ records sold), and afaik she is still the richest female artist in asia. iirc contrary to the usual fare in japan for artists/idol she actually had control of her own records from early on and had contract like western artists, taking a majority of the income.

  • Where is this 9m figure coming from?


    Anyway, i doubt any solo artist have earned more than Ayumi Hamasaki in a single year either way, considering she was at her peak before digitals took over and is the best selling solo artist ever in japan (60m+ records sold), and afaik she is still the richest female artist in asia. iirc contrary to the usual fare in japan for artists/idol she actually had control of her own records from early on and had contract like western artists, taking a majority of the income.

    How about Utada Hikaru?

    >>> 2022.06.10 <<<IMG-4283.jpg

  • How about Utada Hikaru?

    While she for sure is up there with Ayumi in influence and popularity(especially overseas), she has released much fewer albums and barely done any concert / tours at all compared to Ayumi. She has sold 37m records in total, but had she released as much as Ayumi its very possible she would be the best selling solo artist now.

  • Hamasaki Ayumi is indeed an apt singer to compare IU with.


    And that is not just on this "earnings" criteria. But on other more pertinent factors, like

    #1. Immense success because of lyrical-emotional depth, than vocal abilities or dance/performance skills

    #2. High degree of creative control over their works.

    #3. Childhood with grandmothers, than typical 2 parent household


    As to earnings, I am betting that IU owns some percentage of Kakao M, whose IPO valuation is 18 billion USD. Even if it is 0.1%, that would be 18 million USD.

    But it is not ok to judge singers by such things. The only earnings that matter are album sales and royalties.


    Things like real estate, stock ownership, advertisements, acting etc. even if they bring in more wealth, are not the primary aspect they are known for or their skill.

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