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Economic Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
K-Pop star once slept in a cockroach-infested room, was rejected by 20 companies. Today she's richer than BTS's Jungkook, Taehyung
Synopsis IU, a South Korean singer-songwriter and actress, has risen to international stardom despite a challenging early life marked by poverty and rejection. Starting at 15, she overcame financial hardship and numerous failed auditions to become a dominant figure in K-pop. Agencies IU's Rise from Struggles to Global Fame (IU pre debut pics) South Korean singer-songwriter and actress IU has established herself as a dominant figure in the international entertainment scene. As reported by Forbes Korea , her achievements include securing a place on its Power Celebrity 40 list, making her red carpet debut at the Cannes Film Festival, and building a fortune valued in the tens of millions. However, her journey to superstardom was far from smooth. In the highly competitive, group-focused K-pop world, IU has stood out as one of the most commercially successful soloists. According to multiple Korean entertainment reports, she became the first female Korean artist to stage a solo concert at the massive Seoul Olympic Stadium in 2022, performing The Golden Hour. Over her career, she has released numerous critically acclaimed studio albums, including Modern Times (2013), Palette (2017), and Lilac (2021). Her acting career, which began in 2011, has seen her headline some of Korea's most popular television dramas and films such as Hotel Del Luna (2019), Broker (2022), Dream (2023), and the anticipated When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025). IU's journey began at just 15 years old, but her early life was marked by deep poverty, repeated rejection, and personal loss. Despite these challenges, she never lost sight of her goals. Born in 1993 in Songjeong-dong, Seoul, she faced financial instability when her parents fell into heavy debt. As per Celebrity Net Worth, Ranker and Just Jared reports, her current estimated wealth of $40–45 million makes her the richest K-pop idol, surpassing notable figures such as BTS's Jungkook ($35 million) and Taehyung ($40 million).Reports from Just Jared and other outlets note that IU built her wealth primarily through music, declining lucrative overseas offers in favor of developing her artistry at home. Alongside music, she earned acclaim in acting through high-profile roles. She also holds multiple credits as a songwriter and producer, crafting not only her own tracks but also songs for other artists. Her commercial partnerships range from luxury fashion and beauty giants like Estée Lauder and Gucci to Korean companies such as Woori Financial Group, Evezary, and Black Yak. She has also worked with technology leaders including Samsung Korea, Sony, and SK early years were far from glamorous. When her parents could no longer support her and her younger brother, they went to live with their grandmother in a small, overcrowded home. In a YouTube interview, she recounted living in freezing, cockroach-infested conditions, where food was scarce. Her grandmother sold hair clips at the market to keep the household her teenage years, IU chased every audition opportunity she could find, only to be turned down repeatedly. In the same interview, she revealed she sometimes slept in recording studios just to get a proper meal. She also shared with SBS that during this period, she struggled with an eating disorder, describing herself as trapped in cycles of self-loathing, lethargy, and binge eating. On top of this, she endured failed auditions—more than 20 in two years—and even fell victim to scams by fake talent perseverance paid off in 2008 when she signed with Loen Entertainment, now Kakao M. IU's debut single 'Lost Child' premiered on M Countdown on September 18, 2008, and served as the lead track for her first EP Lost and Found, released on September 24. The EP garnered critical appreciation and earned her the 'Rookie of the Month' award from South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in November April 2009, IU released her first full-length album Growing Up, which sold about 31,000 copies and produced her first Top 25 hits—'Boo' and 'Hey (Rock Ver.)' on South Korea's Circle Gaon Chart. Around this time, her popularity grew further thanks to her acoustic covers of popular K-pop hits like Super Junior's 'Sorry, Sorry,' Big Bang's 'Lies,' and Girls' Generation's 'Gee.' She appeared on variety shows such as Star Golden Bell, participated in radio programs like Kiss the Radio, and took on television presenting career reached new heights in 2010 when she released 'Someday' for the Dream High drama soundtrack. According to Gaon Digital Chart data, the song reached number one soon after release and went on to sell over 2.2 million digital copies by the end of 2011, becoming one of her top-selling OSTs. By 2011, IU was dominating the charts with hits such as 'The Red Shoes,' 'My Old Story,' 'Friday,' and 'Last Fantasy.' Her music consistently appeared on both Korean charts and the Billboard K-pop Hot 2015, IU solidified her position as an independent creative force with the release of her self-directed album Chat-Shire, exercising full control over its musical direction and production. By 2020, she had become one of the most influential artists in Korean entertainment, setting benchmarks for musical excellence and personal career arc—from a young girl in a cramped, cold home to the highest-earning K-pop soloist—stands as a testament to resilience and vision. As documented by entertainment and business outlets alike, her story combines raw talent, relentless effort, and the refusal to give up even in the face of overwhelming obstacles. With continued work in both music and film, as well as strong ties to brands and creative ventures, she remains a leading figure shaping the future of Korean pop culture.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
BTS Jungkook Just Became The Ultimate Festival King_You Won't Believe How Global His Fandom Is
Jungkook's Festival Reign: The Numbers Don't Lie If you thought BTS's Jungkook was just another K-pop idol, think again. The guy just bagged the number one spot in Forbes Korea's "Global Festival's Favourite Idol" poll, held on Mnet Plus from June 13 to 30. And get this-he didn't just win, he absolutely dominated with a whopping 45.8% of the votes. That's not just popularity, that's a straight-up fan tsunami. From Central Park to Times Square: Jungkook's Insane Stage Power Let's talk about stages. In 2023, Jungkook rocked the Global Citizen Festival in New York's Central Park. Not only did he pull off a live performance that had the entire crowd (and probably a few squirrels) losing it, but he also made history as the first Korean solo artist to headline the festival right after launching his solo career. Imagine the pressure-and then imagine just owning it. But Jungkook didn't stop there. He pulled a surprise guerrilla show at Times Square's TSX Entertainment outdoor venue. People swarmed, the crowd went wild, and the energy was off the charts. Only Post Malone had performed there before Jungkook, so you know this isn't just any random gig. It's like pulling off a flash mob at Mumbai's Gateway of India and having the entire city show up. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Nogales (ver precio) Verisure Alarmas Más información Undo Breaking Records at the FIFA World Cup If you're still not impressed, let's rewind to the 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar. Jungkook became the first Korean artist to perform the official World Cup soundtrack live. That's like being the opening act at the Cricket World Cup finals-except, you know, for the entire planet. His performance wasn't just a show; it was a global moment, and it proved that Jungkook isn't just a K-pop star-he's a world-class performer. Why Indian Fans Totally Get the Hype Honestly, watching Jungkook's journey feels a lot like rooting for your favorite Bollywood star as they go international. The way he commands a stage, the way fans chant his name, the cultural pride-Indian youth know exactly what that feels like. Whether it's a cricket stadium or a music festival, that electric connection between artist and audience is universal. And let's not forget: with every stage he conquers, Jungkook is showing the world what it means to blend talent, hard work, and sheer charisma. If you're dreaming big, this is your sign to go all in. Jungkook's story isn't just about breaking records-it's about breaking boundaries. And honestly, who doesn't love a good underdog-turned-global-legend tale?
Gulf News
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
Park Shin-hye channels Blackpink 'Like Jennie' on the dancefloor, fans react: 'Even her hair moves gracefully'
It was a joy for Park Shin-hye fans, when she showed her dance skills and performed to Blackpink member Jennie's hit song Like Jennie. The performance, which surfaced online, quickly garnered attention for Shin-hye stunning' moves. Dressed in a stylish ensemble reminiscent of Jennie's stage outfits, along with short hair, Shin-hye danced to the popular tracks with flair and poise, with fans flooding the comment sections. 'What can she not do,' one wrote. 'My favourite actress and my favorite kpop idol jennie,' another excited fan wrote. 'Okay I did not know that she dances so well,' one added. Park Shin-hye, who turned 35 this year, evolved from South Korea's beloved 'Nation's Little Sister' is known to have cut across different genres, and refusing to be typecast. Beginning her career with notable performances in dramas like Stairway to Heaven and Tree of Heaven, she gained widespread recognition with hits such as You're Beautiful, The Heirs, and Pinocchio. Her film repertoire includes the critically acclaimed Miracle in Cell No. 7 and the thriller #Alive. Beyond acting, she is also known for her philanthropic efforts through the Starlight Angel Project and has been featured multiple times in Forbes Korea's Power Celebrity 40 list.
Forbes
15-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Wealth Of Korea's 50 Richest On Forbes List Falls 14% To US$99 Billion
Michael Kim reclaims top spot with $9.5 billion SINGAPORE (April 15, 2025) – Impacted by both South Korea's biggest political crisis in decades and the recent U.S. tariff shock, the country's benchmark Kospi index declined 15% since fortunes were last measured 12 months ago. As a result, the collective net worth of Korea's 50 Richest on the 2025 Forbes list fell to US$99 billion from $115 billion last year. The complete list can be found here, as well as in the April/May issue of Forbes Asia and the May issue of Forbes Korea. The wealth of 32 listees declined, including that of private equity maven Michael Kim, who reclaimed the No. 1 position after a year's gap, despite a slight drop in his net worth to $9.5 billion. Kim's MBK Partners was in the spotlight after its debt-laden Homeplus hypermarket chain ran into financial trouble. Jay Y. Lee, executive chairman of Samsung Electronics, saw his wealth decline by $3.7 billion to $7.8 billion. He slipped to second place from being the richest last year. The company was slow to ride the AI boom, making it one of the laggards among tech stocks. The biggest gainer in dollar terms this year was Meritz Financial Group chairman Cho Jung-ho, whose fortune shot up by $1.5 billion to $7.7 billion, climbing one spot to become the country's third-richest person. The financial heavyweight reported record net profit of 2.3 trillion won in 2024, following the merger of its insurance and securities units. Seo Jung-jin of Celltrion takes the fourth spot on the list with $6.3 billion, as his net worth fell $1.2 billion from $7.5 billion last year. Rounding out the top five is Mong-Koo Chung of Hyundai Motor, who also saw his wealth fall $$700 million to $3.9 billion this year. Another fortune to take a hit was that of Kwak Dong Shin (No. 22), Hanmi Semiconductor's chairman and CEO, whose wealth plunged by more than two-thirds to $1.25 billion. Shares of the semiconductor packaging equipment maker more than halved from a year ago as revenue growth lost steam. The biggest gainer in percentage terms was Park Soon-jae (No. 14), cofounder and CEO of biotech firm Alteogen, whose wealth got a 68% boost to $2.4 billion after it signed a clutch of lucrative licensing deals. In March, it inked two deals worth $1.4 billion with pharma giant AstraZeneca to use its enzyme technology to develop subcutaneous cancer drugs. There are three newcomers on this year's list: Kim Jung-soo & Chun In-jang (No. 21, $1.3 billion), the couple behind Samyang Foods, who got a lift from buoyant overseas sales of its spicy Buldak noodles; Jung Sung-jae (No. 43, $760 million), founder of medical aesthetic device firm Classys, which saw its shares surge 50% thanks to the growing K-beauty craze; and Kim Hyung-tae (No. 46, $725 million), founder of online games developer Shift Up, who joins the ranks after raising $320 million in what was South Korea's second-largest listing last year. Four listees returned to the ranks after previously dropping off, including Lee Hwa-kyung (No. 44, $745 million), who owns a stake in Orion Holdings, the parent outfit of the confectionery and foods group founded by her late father, Lee Yang-gu. Seven from last year did not make the cut, including former billionaire Ryu Kwang-ji, whose chemicals and EV battery maker Kumyang was roiled by slowing EV sales. The minimum net worth to make the list fell to $665 million from $775 million last year. The top 10 richest in Korea are: This list was compiled using shareholding and financial information obtained from the families and individuals, stock exchanges, annual reports, analysts, government agencies and other sources. Net worths were based on stock prices and exchange rates as of the close of markets on April 7, 2025 and private companies were valued based on similar companies that are publicly traded. Real-time net worths on may reflect different valuations. The ranking lists both individual and family fortunes, including those shared among relatives and may differ from the World's Billionaires List, which includes individual fortunes with net worths as of March 7. The list can also include foreign citizens with business, residential or other ties to the country, or citizens who do not reside in the country but have significant business or other ties to the country. For more information, visit About Forbes Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. Forbes convenes and curates the most influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world. The Forbes brand today reaches more than 140 million people worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature LIVE and Forbes Virtual events, custom marketing programs and 42 licensed local editions in 68 countries. Forbes Media's brand extensions include real estate, education and financial services license agreements. For media queries, please contact: Catherine Ong Associates Catherine Ong, cell: +65 9697 0007, Email: cath@ Chenxi Wang, cell: +65 8187 3215, Email: chenxi@
