Forbes Korea Power Celebrity is a yearly rundown published by Forbes magazine (Korea) since 2010. It is an index of the Top 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in South Korea where personalities from sports, music, expressions, film and TV are positioned by their expert accomplishments, impact, fame and income from the past year. Bellow are the top ten most popular South Korean celebrities who topped the list in 2021.
1. BTS (Boy band)
- Net worth: $50 Million
As everyone would expect, BTS ranked first in the Forbes power celebrity rankings in 2021. Forbes has estimated the group’s net worth to be $50M in 2020. And as of 2021, the net worth of the group is estimated to be around $100M. Forbes also estimated each BTS member’s net worth to be $12 to $15 million, with J-Hope being the richest member according to several outlets. BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, are known for writing more than 90 percent of their own lyrics. As of April 2021, BTS have been chosen by French fashion house and luxury good company Louis Vuitton to be their brand ambassadors. Often regarded as “the biggest boy band in the world“, BT are the best-selling artist in the history of South Korean music, Having sold more than 20.3 million albums. BTS have also proven to be the best-dressed boy band in the world.
2. Blackpink (Girl group)
- Net worth: $34 million
Blackpink has achieved huge success both in South Korea and abroad. Since inception, BLACKPINK has quickly emerged the highest-charting female K-pop performer of all time on the Billboard 100. According to a 2021 report, BLACKPINK’s net worth is estimated to be around $34 million. The richest BLACKPINK member is Lisa, who has an estimated net worth of $10 million, while Jisoo, Jennie, and Rosé are worth around $8 million each. The group’s earnings are shared equally among its members, but they are free to make money outside the group activities. Lisa is the most followed member of the group on social media, therefor is the most sought-after endorser by several brands. She graced the cover of Vogue Japan in April 2021, while Rosé was named Tiffany & Co’s newest Global Ambassador.
3. Hyun-jin Ryu (Baseball player)
- Net worth: $35 million
Hyun-jin Ryu is a South Korean professional baseball pitcher who previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ryu is currently playing for Canadian professional baseball team “Toronto Blue Jays”. He ranked number three in the 2021 list of Forbes Korea Power Celebrity.
4. Son Heung-min (Football player)
- Net worth: $20 Million
Son Heung-min is a South Korean footballer who currently plays as a forward for Tottenham Hotspur and captains the South Korea national team. His has an estimated net worth of $20 Million as of 2021. Son signed his contract with Tottenham Hotspur in 2015 for a whopping £22 million, making him the the most expensive Asian player in history. Since joining Tottenham, Son has scored several goals for the club, making him the top Asian goalscorer in both Premier League and Champions League history.
5. Lim Young-woong (singer)
- Net worth: $15 million
Lim Young-woong is known in South Korea as a trot singer, entertainer and YouTuber. Lim debuted in 2016 with his first single “hate you”, and rose to fame in 2020 after winning the first place out of 17,000 applicants at the South Korean reality television show Mr. Trot.
6. Kwang-hyun Kim (Baseball player)
- Net worth: $14 Million
Kwang-hyun Kim is a South Korean left-handed baseball player who currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals of MLB. Kim signed a two-year contract worth $11 million with American baseball team St. Louis Cardinals. in 2019. At St. Louis Cardinals, Kim became the most valuable player.
7. Yoo Jae-suk (Comedian)
- Net worth: $12 Million
Yoo Jae-suk is a South Korean comedian, who is known to have hosted several variety television shows in South Korea, including Infinite Challenge, Running Man, Happy Together, and Hangout With Yoo. Known for his fast mind and allure across a wide scope of socioeconomics, Yoo has set up himself as one of South Korea’s top comics and TV characters, ostensibly the most notable and famous VIP in South Korea. He is likewise an individual from SSAK3. He has been voted by Koreans as comedian of the year for nine consecutive year.
8. Young Tak (singer)
- Net worth: $5 Million
Young Tak is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor and television personality. He began his career in 2017 as a ballad singer with his 1st album “Young Tak Disia”, and rose to stardom in 2020 after competing in the TV Chosun audition show Mr Trot, placing second out of 17,000 participants.
9. Jung Dong-won (singer)
Jung Dong-won is a South Korean trot singer.
10. Jang Yoon-jeong (singer)
- Net worth: $5 Million
Jang Yoon-jeong is a South Korean trot singer. Jang began her career in 1999, however she didn’t get renowned until 2004 when her single, “Eomeona!” (“Oh My Goodness!”), turned into a hit. The melody is credited with helping re-promote trot music in South Korea. In 2017, a Gallup Korea survey found that Jang was the third most well known artist in the country.
