The Emotional Journey of K-pop Idols: Exploring the Diversity of First Paychecks

Widely recognized as the largest girl group by membership, the members of TripleS astonished many when they disclosed that their production and operating expenses reached a staggering 10 billion won. When questioned about their salaries, which were likened to those of executives at major corporations, Kim Na Kyung adeptly sidestepped the inquiry. “I received my first paycheck last year and treated my fellow members to a meal,”the idol revealed.

Meanwhile, NewJeans saw their first paycheck two months following their debut. A report from the Financial Supervisory Service published in April disclosed that ADOR’s revenue for the previous year soared to 110.3 billion won, a figure over five times higher than the 19 billion won reported the year before. With an operating profit of 33.5 billion won, the overall compensation for the NewJeans members amounted to about 26.1 billion won, which means each member potentially earned upward of 5 billion won.

STAYC, well-known for their chart-topping tracks such as “So Bad,” “Stereotype,” and “Bubble,” shared that their first salary arrived after they promoted “Teddy Bear.” The initial paycheck for STAYC was estimated at approximately 98.25 million won per member.

choi yena-jo kwon — The initial salaries that idols earn can vary significantly.

Choi Ye Na, a solo artist and former IZONE member, recounted, “When I received my first salary as a solo performer, I took my family on an overseas trip and purchased a house for my parents in Yangpyeong.”

Jo Kwon from 2AM shocked fans by admitting he cried upon receiving his initial paycheck because it was disappointingly low.

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