Mapping K-pop stars’ wealth
Buildings, cafes and resorts owned by Korea’s youngest and richest celebrities
The road to becoming a successful K-pop star requires years of unpaid training starting from an early age.
But those big-hitting K-pop singers who have persevered and emerged out the other end of the high-risk, high-yield system often amass a fortune equally early in life, raking in considerable sums of money in their tender twenties. The Korea Herald has compiled a list of ways Korea’s youngest and hottest celebrities manage their wealth, from investing in real estate to opening chic cafes and even luxury resorts.
Small figures, big numbers
Hang Seung-yeon (DSP Media) |
Han, who has stood firm as the five-member girl group’s leader ever since its 2007 debut, is said to have accumulated a vast trove of wealth over the years, due to Kara’s both domestic and overseas success, most notably in Japan. Reports say that she put in 1.8 billion won ($1.4 million) of her own savings, plus a 2.7 billion won ($2.3 million) bank loan to seal the deal on the property, opting for an aggressive investment tactic in anticipation of future rent profits.
Address: 34-9 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Goo Hara (DSP Media) |
Reports say that the thrifty young entertainer did not take out any loans but paid 1.2 billion ($1 million) in full to purchase the property, whose current market price is estimated at about double the original figure. It seems the 24-year-old Goo, who trained for the stage since her middle school years while crashing at her relatives’ homes, is thoroughly reaping the fruits of her labor and already set with a reliable pension plan for her post-K-pop phase.
Address: 24-3, Dosan-daero 87-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Phone: 02-515-9989
The perfect host
Toscana Hotel, run by Junsu of JYJ (Toscana Hotel) |
The seasoned 28-year-old singer invested 28.5 billion won ($24.4 million) into the sprawling 20,000-square-meter retreat, which houses 56 guest rooms, four villa houses, a cafeteria, spa, outdoor pool, concert hall and jewelry shop on its premises. The picturesque hotel was also the site for the 2015 KBS drama series “Warm and Cozy,” starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Kang So-ra.
Kim is reported to have made a pretty fortune since his 2003 debut with TVXQ and 2010 regrouping with JYJ, gaining massive popularity in China and Southeast Asia and selling out in theaters with his musical performances in Korea.
Address: 158-7 Yongheung-ro 66beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, Korea
Phone: 064-735-7000
Coffee with the stars
Jay Park (Official website) |
The Korean-American star has come a long way since his humble beginnings in Seattle, reports say, where he worked part-time at a tire store after his expulsion from boy band 2PM, which he debuted with. Park is now the co-CEO of label AOMG alongside rapper Simon D., representing an array of up-and-coming hiphop artists such as Loco, Gray and Ugly Duck. On a 2013 July episode of MBC talk show “Radio Star,” Park revealed that he purchased a house in Seattle for his parents to live in.
Address: 34, Apgujeong-ro 48-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Phone: (02) 545-7417
Lee Changmin (Official website) |
Address: 660-6, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Phone: (02) 512-1452
Promotional image for Studio Concrete, an artistic space run by actor Yoo Ah-in (Studio Concrete) |
An open, multipurpose space that acts at once as a gallery, library, atelier and cafe, Studio Concrete was opened by a creative community consisting of Yoo and a handful of the actor’s close friends, including artists Kwon Ba-da, Kwon Chul-hwa and Kim Jae-hoon.
The space hosts various exhibitions, undertakes nonprofit projects and provides services including creative consulting and art design. On the naming, Yoo explained in an interview that he was drawn to the double entendre of the word “concrete,” which could either mean “substantial” or refer to the gray construction material.
Address: Hannam-dong, 162 Hannam-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Phone: (02) 792-4095
G-Dragon (Official Facebook) |
Address: 56-1 Aewolbukseo-gil, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, Korea
Phone: (064) 799-8900, 0091
Cafe And Here, run by Big Bang’s Seungri (And Here) |
By Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)