K-pop has become a massive money-making industry worldwide. In 2026, BTS members top the group rankings, while IU leads as the richest solo K-pop idol. Together, they now earn as much as major movie stars and business moguls.
What makes K-pop different is how the money gets made. These artists earn from album sales, concerts, brand deals, and owning pieces of entertainment companies.
This article shows you exactly who the richest K-pop stars are right now in 2026, how much money they have, and their income sources. By the end, you will understand why these performers are so wealthy and their positions.
Who Is The Richest K-pop Idol In 2026?
BTS is still the most popular K-pop group, and all seven members tie at $50 million each, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
In 2020, Big Hit Entertainment, the company that manages BTS, went public on the stock market. This was a huge moment for BTS. It meant the band members became owners of a piece of the company, not just workers.
This ownership stake has made them very rich. When you compare solo singers to group members, the BTS members are ahead; their long career, plus owning part of their company, makes them wealthier than most other K-pop stars.
Top 10 Richest K-pop Idols 2026
Here is the official ranking of the richest K-pop stars. These numbers come from Celebrity Net Worth and show estimates, not exact figures from official papers.
| Rank | Name | Group | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | J-Hope | BTS | $50M |
| 2 | V (Kim Taehyung) | BTS | $50M |
| 3 | Jungkook | BTS | $50M |
| 4 | Jin | BTS | $50M |
| 5 | Suga (Agust D) | BTS | $50M |
| 6 | Jimin | BTS | $50M |
| 7 | RM | BTS | $50M |
| 8 | IU | Soloist | $40–45M |
| 9 | Lisa | BLACKPINK | $40M |
| 10 | Rosé | BLACKPINK | $40M |
BTS members top the list due to consistent album sales, tours, and equity shares over the years, while BLACKPINK shows up on this list because they are hugely popular worldwide, and they have even performed and headlined Coachella.
Let’s discuss each idol’s work and income sources in detail:
1. J-Hope (BTS)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | BTS |
| Company | HYBE |
| Things He Owns | Real estate in Seoul, luxury cars, and investment collection |
| Why He Is Rich | Music producer royalties, HYBE ownership stake, world tour payments, and other artists’ production work |
J-Hope earns money from producing music in addition to performing and touring. His HYBE ownership stake grows automatically as the company expands into new markets.
Producer royalties flow constantly from BTS and other artists’ songs. His multiple income sources, producing, performing, touring, and equity appreciation, compound simultaneously into his $50 million wealth.
2. V (Kim Taehyung) (BTS)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | BTS |
| Company | HYBE |
| Things He Owns | Luxury apartment in Seoul, art collection, high-end cars |
| Why He Is Rich | Brand ambassador deals, HYBE ownership, acting income, streaming royalties |
V’s visual appeal attracts luxury brands paying millions yearly for advertisements alone. Acting roles in Korean TV shows generate appearance fees completely separate from music earnings.
His HYBE shares appreciate passively while he earns from brand deals, acting, and streaming royalties simultaneously. His art collection is also appreciated as a wealth storage.
3. Jungkook (BTS)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | BTS |
| Company | HYBE |
| Things He Owns | Real estate in Seoul, luxury watches, and high-end cars |
| Why He Is Rich | Vocal royalties, HYBE ownership, solo projects, merchandise sales, brand deals |
Jungkook sings on almost every BTS song, earning more royalties than members with fewer vocal parts. His merchandise sells faster because he ranks as the most popular member.
Real estate, tour payments, brand endorsements, plus solo projects create wealth from multiple directions. This combination explains his $50 million position.
4. Jin (BTS)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | BTS |
| Company | HYBE |
| Things He Owns | Seoul apartments, luxury cars, investment portfolio |
| Why He Is Rich | Songwriting royalties, HYBE ownership, tour payments, production credits |
Jin wrote songs like “Awake” and “Tonight” that continue paying him from billions of streams. His production involvement in album arrangements creates additional royalty payments yearly.
A decade of touring accumulated massive appearance fees while his early real estate purchases appreciated dramatically. His songwriting, production, touring, and equity multiply his income.
5. Suga (Agust D) (BTS)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | BTS |
| Company | HYBE |
| Things He Owns | Seoul luxury apartments, car collection, music production equipment |
| Why He Is Rich | Producer royalties, HYBE ownership, Agust D solo albums, other artists’ production credits |
Suga’s path to $50 million differs because producing music generates more income than performing, earning producer royalties on nearly every BTS album. His Agust D solo project created independent revenue he controlled completely.
He produces music for other HYBE artists, earning additional royalties consistently, and, along with this, his producer reputation grows with each success, allowing him to command higher future fees.
6. Jimin (BTS)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | BTS |
| Company | HYBE |
| Things He Owns | Seoul real estate, luxury accessories, vehicle investments |
| Why He Is Rich | Dance and vocal royalties, HYBE ownership, solo projects, endorsement deals |
Jimin appears in nearly all BTS choreography and dancing on BTS tracks, creating royalties that pure dancers outside music never access. His merchandise featuring his face outsells other members’ products significantly.
Endorsement deals recognize his consistent visual presence in promotions. Real estate value, solo work, plus brand deals stack together to create his wealth.
7. RM (BTS)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | BTS |
| Company | HYBE |
| Things He Owns | Seoul apartments, art collection, book collection, vehicle portfolio |
| Why He Is Rich | Songwriting and producing credits, HYBE ownership, leadership payments, endorsement income |
Leading BTS guarantees higher appearance fees and premium brand endorsement rates that members don’t receive. His songwriting credits on major hits generate ongoing royalties forever.
Creative direction roles grant production credits, earning payments for conceptualizing music. His leadership position means income grows automatically as the group’s output increases.
8. IU (Solo)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | Soloist |
| Company | EDAM Entertainment |
| Things She Owns | Multiple Seoul properties, recording studio assets, and luxury vehicles |
| Why She Is Rich | Songwriting royalties, acting career income, nationwide concerts, and brand endorsements |
IU has built one of the strongest solo careers in K-pop through hit songwriting, acting roles in major dramas like Hotel Del Luna, and film projects such as When Life Gives You Tangerines.
Her brand deals, sold-out Asia tours, and valuable real estate in Seoul further grow her income. These combined revenue streams solidify IU’s position as one of the wealthiest soloists, with an estimated net worth of $40–45 million.
9. Lisa (BLACKPINK)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | BLACKPINK |
| Company | YG Entertainment |
| Things She Owns | Luxury real estate in multiple countries, a luxury watch collection, and a vehicle collection |
| Why She Is Rich | Brand ambassador deals, world tour revenue, music royalties, and personal brand monetization |
Lisa earns millions annually from brand ambassadorships with Celine, Bulgari, and MAC. BLACKPINK world tours generate over $20 million each with substantial member cuts.
Her unique positioning as a sub-rapper and dancer appeals to both music and fashion audiences. Solo releases plus real estate diversification across countries supplement tour income.
10. Rosé (BLACKPINK)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | BLACKPINK |
| Company | TheBlackLabel/THEBLACKLABEL |
| Things She Owns | Los Angeles real estate, luxury apartment in Seoul, vehicle investments |
| Why She Is Rich | Solo album revenue, tour performance fees, brand ambassador deals, songwriting royalties |
Rosé’s songwriting credits generate ongoing payments from billions of BLACKPINK streams yearly. Her solo album “R” created independent revenue completely separate from group earnings.
As lead vocalist, she commands higher brand endorsement rates than other members, and her solo success supplements group income rather than replacing it, creating additive wealth.
How Do K-pop Idols Make Money?
K-pop stars earn through multiple income sources simultaneously. Album sales and streaming royalties provide a baseline income that flows continuously across all platforms.
World tours generate the largest single revenue source, with BTS tours exceeding $100 million gross and members receiving massive appearance fees. Brand ambassadorships pay millions yearly for luxury companies seeking idol endorsements.
As well as Company equity ownership transforms idols into stakeholders, earning passive wealth appreciation. Acting roles supplement music income significantly.
Songwriting and production credits generate ongoing royalties independent of performances. Real estate investments appreciate over time, creating additional wealth. Personal business ventures and social media monetization provide supplementary income.
These nine ways combine simultaneously rather than separately, explaining why top idols accumulate such substantial fortunes compared to traditional entertainment professionals.
Conclusion: BTS Members Are The Richest K-pop Idols In 2026 With $50M Each
BTS members lead because they own HYBE shares and have toured for a decade, earning billions from streaming. BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Rosé match their wealth through brand deals and solo projects.
As global markets grow, more streaming revenue flows to top stars. New idols starting today have better opportunities than previous generations, with stronger endorsement deals and touring access.
Learning how these performers earned their wealth shows why K-pop success creates extraordinary financial power.
FAQs
All seven BTS members are tied at $50 million each, which makes them the richest K-pop stars overall right now.
IU is richer with an estimated net worth of $40–45 million, surpassing Lisa’s $40 million, due to her hit songwriting, acting roles, sold-out tours, brand endorsements, and smart real estate investments.
YG Entertainment makes more money than JYP Entertainment, though both are big and important companies in the music business.
Lisa and Rosé each have $40 million, making them the wealthiest female K-pop stars in the industry today.
All seven BTS male members are at the same level, each at $50 million, making them the richest male K-pop stars collectively.
