The Hallyu wave is at an all-time high thanks to the global success of hit shows like Crash Landing on You, Squid Game, and Lovely Runner. K-drama stars who featured in these shows, like Kim Soo Hyun and Song Hye Kyo, enjoy massive popularity and have amassed significant wealth. But there are also some K-drama celebs who were born with a silver spoon…
Here are 7 K-drama stars who were born into super-rich families:
Park Hyung Sik’s filmography includes hit K-dramas like Strong Girl Bong-soon, The Heirs and Doctor Slump. The K-drama actor’s father is a prolific businessman, who is on the Board of Directors at BMW Korea, while his mother is a piano teacher.
You have seen Jung Hae In in beloved K-dramas like Something in the Rain, Snowdrop and D.P. The K-drama actor belongs to a renowned family. His great-grandfather was Jeong Yak Yong, one of the greatest thinkers of the later Joseon Era. According to Tatler Asia, Jung Hae In’s parents own a hospital.
Lee Yi Kyung’s memorable works include Welcome to Waikiki, Marry My Husband and Descendants of the Sun. The K-drama actor’s father is Lee Ung Beom, who is a successful businessman and the former CEO of LG Innotek, an LG Group affiliate. Lee Yi Kyung chose not to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursued an acting career, which his family was extremely supportive of. According to Tatler Asia, the actor worked part-time jobs to cover his living expenses after dropping out of high school.
Kim Tae Hee is one of the most popular South Korean actresses of all time. She's starred in cult shows like Stairway to Heaven and My Princess, and more recently Hi Bye, Mama! The K-drama actress is the daughter of Kim Yoo Moon, the founder and Chairman of Hankook Union Transportation Company. According to Tatler Asia, the transport company has an annual turnover exceeding ₩15 billion (approximately Rs 90 crore).
Siwon might be predominantly known as a member of Super Junior, a popular second-gen K-pop band, but he is also a well-known name in the world of K-dramas. The K-drama actor’s famous shows include She Was Pretty, Revolutionary Love and Love Is for Suckers. Siwon’s father is the former CEO of Boryung Medicine, a Korean pharmaceutical company, while his mother owns several fashion brands. According to Tatler Asia, the idol-turned-actor’s family owns the Hyundai Department Store and other businesses. Siwon’s generational wealth makes him one of the most popular chaebol heirs in K-entertainment.
Girls’ Generation member Sooyoung is another idol-turned-actor who was born rich. Her notable works include Run On, If You Wish Upon Me and So I Married the Anti-fan. Sooyoung hails from a prestigious family. Her father is the Chairman of a production and construction company. According to Tatler Asia, the K-drama actress' grandfather is the CEO of a famous architectural firm, that was contracted to build the esteemed Seoul Arts Center. Sooyoung’s family reportedly owns many luxurious villas, located in Cheongdam-dong, an affluent neighbourhood in Seoul.
BtoB member Sungjae is one more idol-turned-actor who comes from a wealthy family. He's starred in popular K-dramas like Goblin, Who Are You: School 2015 and Reply 1994. The K-drama actor's father is the CEO of an IT company that specializes in semiconductors, and which has a turnaround of multi-million dollars. Even Sungjae’s grandparents have a reputable background; his grandfather was the first to introduce red carp, a species of cyprinid fish, to South Korea, while his grandmother owns and operates a large fishing farm in Paju.