The attract of Okay-pop transcends borders and financial institution accounts really. Central to this matter are the idols themselves, lots of whom hail from totally different above averagce backgrounds, offering them with a novel set of sources and challenges as they navigate the trade. KPOP normally, from coaching to debut recognized for its rigorous preparation and excessive manufacturing prices, typically appears accessible solely to those that can afford the chance a.okay.a the wealthy. And who’re they?
This part units the stage for a deeper dive into particular person tales of Okay-pop idols who began with vital benefits on the identical time, carved out their very own paths within the world music scene.
Desk of Contents
Jennie Kim (BLACKPINK)
Jennie Kim, a outstanding member of BLACKPINK, stands out not just for her musical skills but in addition for her background and enterprise acumen. Born in Seoul and raised in New Zealand, Jennie’s world perspective has been a key asset in her profession. Fluent in a number of languages and educated overseas, Jennie’s worldwide publicity has considerably formed her public persona {and professional} trajectory.
Her mom’s function as a director and shareholder of CJ E&M and her father’s administration of a hospital offered her with a novel upbringing steeped in each the leisure and company worlds.
As of 2023, Jennie’s estimated internet value is round $20 million, bolstered by her roles as a world ambassador for manufacturers like Chanel and Calvin Klein, and her profitable solo music tasks. Jennie’s affect extends past music; she’s a sought-after model ambassador and made her appearing debut within the sequence ‘The Idol’, showcasing her versatile skills.
Jisoo (BLACKPINK)
Jisoo, born in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, has risen to world fame as a member of BLACKPINK. Her youth in a household with an older brother and sister was marked by a robust inclination in direction of the humanities, main her to attend the Faculty of Performing Arts Seoul. She joined YG Leisure as a trainee in 2011, showcasing her dedication to her craft early on.
Regardless of restricted public details about her household’s background, rumors recommend her father may be an influential determine within the leisure trade. Jisoo’s estimated internet value of $20 million makes her one of many richest members of BLACKPINK. Her luxurious life-style is evidenced by her assortment of high-end Dior purses and possession of premium automobiles just like the Mercedes Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Collection.
Choi Siwon (Tremendous Junior)
Choi Siwon, a member of the legendary Okay-pop group Tremendous Junior, is just not solely recognized for his musical skills but in addition for his deep roots in a rich and influential household. Born in Seoul to a father who was the CEO of a pharmaceutical firm and owned a buying and selling firm in Japan, Siwon’s entry into the leisure world was towards his household’s preliminary needs. Opting to carve his personal path, he moved right into a crowded dormitory to coach with SM Leisure, demonstrating his dedication to his profession regardless of his privileged background.
He is also simply not a singer however has starred in widespread dramas like “She Was Fairly,” “My Fellow Residents,” and “Work Later, Drink Now.”
And with regards to affect and good deeds, he served as a particular consultant for UNICEF Korea and later as an envoy for the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Workplace. Other than leisure, Siwon has represented world manufacturers like Audi Korea and Swiss luxurious watchmaker Piaget.
Siwon’s journey from a possible inheritor of a enterprise empire to a self-made millionaire within the leisure trade illustrates a mix of private willpower and the strategic use of his background.
Jay (ENHYPEN)
Jay, whose actual identify is Park Jong Seong, is a standout member of the Okay-pop boy group ENHYPEN. Born in Seattle, United States, Jay moved to South Korea on the tender age of 9, bringing with him a fluency in English and proficiency in Japanese. His roles inside the group as Major Rapper, Lead Dancer, and Vocalist spotlight his various skills, which have been honed over an almost three-year rigorous coaching interval. Jay’s journey to stardom was catapulted by his spectacular second-place end within the survival present I-LAND, securing over 1 million votes from followers (worldwide).
He’s fluent in English and proficient in Japanese so we will already inform he acquired international language courses rising up.
Jay’s background is especially distinctive as a consequence of his familial wealth; he’s the one little one of the proprietor of Sinar Tour Brunei, a outstanding journey company. This affluence was showcased when Jay generously took fellow member Heeseung on a lavish trip to Brunei Darussalam, which reportedly price over 6 million KRW per particular person. His luxurious life-style is usually mentioned amongst followers, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok, the place posts steadily spotlight his wealth.
Jeongyeon (TWICE)
Due to her posh upbringing, Jeongyeon seems to be the lady trio Twice’s richest member! Identified for his delicate Korean delicacies, her father is a globally famend chef and restaurateur who owns and operates a number of eating places throughout the globe. Even Kim Dae-Jung, the previous president of South Korea, tapped him!
Tzuyu (TWICE)
Tzuyu, the youngest member of the favored Okay-pop group TWICE, is just not solely recognized for her roles as a sub-vocalist and lead dancer but in addition for her hanging visuals. Her household’s wealth, derived from profitable enterprise ventures together with hospital investments in Taiwan, has been a notable side of her background. Regardless of her upbringing, Tzuyu has carved out her personal area of interest within the leisure trade, amassing a private internet value of roughly $2 million.
Tzuyu has additionally considerably boosted her earnings by way of numerous endorsements, partnering with manufacturers like LG U+, Crocs Korea, and the Japanese beauty model Visée.
Her household owns a number of hospitals in Taiwan, together with her dad and mom actively managing a cosmetic surgery clinic. This enterprise acumen additionally extends to a profitable cafe operated by her mom. Her household’s investments usually are not restricted to healthcare; they initially began with an evening market enterprise and have continued to diversify their portfolio.
Mina (TWICE)
Mina, a cherished member of the globally acknowledged Okay-pop group TWICE, has a background marked by each privilege and inventive dedication. Her father, Akira Myoui, is a famend orthopedic surgeon and professor in Japan, which offered her with a secure and upbringing. Mina’s early years have been spent on the prestigious Obayashi Sacred Coronary heart Faculty, the place she excelled academically and in extracurriculars, notably in ballet, which she pursued passionately earlier than transitioning to a music profession.
Mina’s proficiency in English and her rigorous ballet coaching set a strong basis for her Okay-pop profession. Her transition from ballet to Okay-pop was a big shift, facilitated by her household’s sources, permitting her to coach intensively in Korea. This transfer was pivotal in her profession, resulting in her debut and subsequent fame with TWICE. Her internet value, which is predicted to extend with the debut of the TWICE subunit MISAMO, underscores her profitable integration into the Okay-pop trade.
Nichkhun (2PM)
Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul, higher recognized by his stage identify Nichkhun, can be somebody who we will think about an iconic determine within the Okay-pop trade, not solely as a member of the boy band 2PM but in addition as a solo artist and actor. Born in California to Thai-Chinese language dad and mom, he moved again to Thailand throughout his childhood, the place he attended Thai-medium colleges and later studied in New Zealand and the USA (yup, identical ideas).
Regardless of his preliminary curiosity in sports activities, notably badminton, Nichkhun was scouted by JYP Leisure at a music competition in Los Angeles, which led him to South Korea to coach and finally debut with 2PM in 2008. Nichkhun’s profession is marked by his versatility throughout numerous leisure fields as a result of not solely he has has launched a number of albums with 2PM however in addition to solo tasks in Japan and South Korea, together with his solo mini-album ‘Me’ and his appearing profession spans roles in Thai and Chinese language movies and tv sequence, enhancing his profile throughout Asia.
His affect extends past the leisure trade; Nichkhun has been acknowledged for his contributions to cultural diplomacy. He served because the Goodwill Ambassador for the 2018 Thai Pageant in Seoul, which celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and South Korea. Fluent in English, Korean, and Thai, Nichkhun has additionally featured in tourism campaigns for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, showcasing his capability to bridge cultural gaps. His internet value, estimated at $18 million, underscores his success in leveraging his skills throughout a number of platforms, making him a big determine in selling the Korean Wave internationally. ICONIC.
Sooyoung (Ladies’ Era)
Sooyoung, a key member of the globally celebrated Okay-pop group Ladies’ Era, has a wealthy heritage and a multifaceted profession that spans music, appearing, and entrepreneurship. Born in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, her early publicity to the leisure trade started with an SM Leisure Open Audition in fifth grade. Her expertise was plain, main her to win first place on the 2002 Korea-Japan Extremely Idol Duo Audition, and subsequently debuting in Japan as a part of the duo Route 0. However earlier than being an idol, she was already dwelling a cushty life. Her grandfather owned a prestigious architectural agency answerable for tasks just like the Seoul Arts Middle, and her father presides over a buying and selling firm.
Past her leisure profession, Sooyoung has ventured into digital content material creation, managing a profitable YouTube channel, The Sootory, which boasts almost 500,000 subscribers. Her affect extends into model endorsements, together with her function as a spokesmodel for Cadillac.
Umji (GFRIEND)
Umji, a member of the Okay-pop group GFRIEND, and later VIVIZ, has a background that’s each privileged and provoking. Her father, a profitable dentist, based a series apply with 43 branches throughout South Korea (proper?!), showcasing a big household enterprise presence within the dental trade. Regardless of her background, Umji selected to pursue a profession in music, going by way of the rigorous trainee course of typical for Okay-pop idols. Her willpower to comply with her ardour for music, supported by her household, highlights a narrative of private ambition over consolation.
Each of Umji’s dad and mom have been supportive of her profession in music. Her father, who’s the president of the Yeonsu department of the S Moa Dentists Community, additionally supported her by permitting her to make use of their bank card to deal with her bandmates throughout their early days.
Umji attended prestigious colleges in Korea, specializing in arts, which helped in honing her musical skills. Her siblings additionally pursued inventive fields, together with her brother majoring in Oriental Portray and her sister in Korean Dance.
Chenle (NCT)
Chenle from NCT, recognized for his vocal prowess, hails from a background marked by appreciable wealth. His household’s affluence is clear by way of their possession of luxurious properties and the help they’ve offered him, which incorporates high-end training and worldwide journey. Chenle’s grandfather, typically cited amongst China’s high entrepreneurs, laid a robust monetary basis, which is mirrored within the household’s belongings like a lavish house in Shanghai valued at over 4 billion gained (which is by the way in which outfitted with a bamboo forest and a swimming pool). Additionally they bought a home in Korea to facilitate his Okay-pop actions.
Regardless of his wealth, Chenle is famous for his humility. He doesn’t flaunt his monetary standing and is understood for his generosity, typically buying costly presents for his fellow NCT members. His capability to take care of a grounded persona amidst wealth speaks volumes of his character, making him a beloved determine amongst followers and a task mannequin for aspiring artists.
Jin (BTS)
Jin, a member of the globally acclaimed Okay-pop group BTS, has not solely captivated audiences along with his vocal skills (and visible as a worldwide good-looking) but in addition established a big presence within the enterprise world. His estimated internet value as of 2023 stands at a formidable $20 million, a testomony to his profitable endeavors each on and off the stage.
It’s recognized ot everybody that Jin used to purchase meals and stuff for his members and he ‘raised’ Jungkook, principally ensuring Jungkook will get to eat what he needs. Though not revealed to the general public formally, Jin is a son of a CEO and he did studied overseas which simply proved he additionally got here from a well-off household.
Sungjae (BTOB)
Sungjae, a outstanding member of the Okay-pop group BTOB, hails from a household with substantial wealth, incomes him the nickname “diamond spoon” amongst followers. His father, a profitable CEO of an IT firm specializing in semiconductors, generated spectacular revenues, highlighting a robust enterprise background that influenced Sungjae’s understanding of the trade. Moreover, his maternal grandfather was a pioneer in importing silk crimson carp into South Korea, establishing a large-scale fishery that added to the household’s wealth. Alternatively, his father is a CEO of a semiconductor firm with a income of 10 billion gained in 2019.
Sungjae’s journey within the leisure trade is supported by his household’s wealth however outlined by his private expertise and charisma. His multifaceted profession and humble persona make him a beloved determine within the Okay-pop world, displaying that private advantage {and professional} dedication play essential roles in reaching and sustaining fame.
Ricky (ZEROBASEONE)
Ricky often known as “younger and wealthy, tall and good-looking” who debuted within the boy group ZEROBASEONE (ZB1), brings a novel mix of worldwide experiences and familial affect to the trade. Born in Shanghai in 2004 and raised in Los Angeles, California, Ricky’s multicultural background is complemented by his spectacular linguistic abilities in Chinese language, Korean, and English. His coaching beneath Yuehua Leisure and participation in Mnet’s “Boys Planet” the place he ranked fourth, spotlight his dedication and expertise, making him a promising determine in KPOP.
Ricky’s father is a profitable businessman, which has offered a secure and supportive atmosphere for his inventive pursuits. His mom, a mannequin and proprietor of the clothes line “Position Mannequin,” not solely contributes to his sense of fashion but in addition to his understanding of model administration. Regardless of the shortage of particular figures relating to his internet value, Ricky’s life-style and household background proceed to intrigue and appeal to a big following, enhancing his visibility and marketability as debuts with ZB1.
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And that’s it for now. Did we miss anybody? Tell us or be happy to browse your fave idols’ closet right here!