After having heard of Kim Soo Hyun being the highest paid Korean actor of 2020, we bet you're now curious about who is the highest-paid Korean actress this year.
It's no surprise at all that stars and celebs in the entertainment industry are being paid generously for their appearances on stage, TV, movie roles, as well as their product endorsements. But before receiving a high talent fee rate, you have to prove your talent first.
We listed down Korean drama actresses who have proven their worth since they are the top 5 highest-paid actresses in 2020!
5. Song Hye Kyo
Her estimated salary is USD 42,000 per episode.
Song Hye Kyo has proven that she is a top Hallyu icon in South Korea, most especially when she starred in the hit dramas "Full House," "Autumin in My Heart", "Descendants of the Sun," and many more. DOTS was so phenomenal that it even inspired international remakes.
Song Hye Kyo took home over ten nominations for her role in DOTS. She was also listed as the No. 18 most beautiful woman in the world (2011) by U.S. Film website Independent Critics.
4. Choi Ji Woo
Her estimated salary is USD 42,000 per episode.
Choi Ji Woo got her shot at the acting industry through joining a talent audition in the 1994 talent search, made by the MBC network. She and her castmates helped one another establish the Korean wave after the success of the classic drama, "Winter Sonata." This series was loved by both young and old audiences in different parts of Asia. She starred alongside Bae Yong Joon, and even earned a statue of their characters in Nami Island, where "Winter Sonata" was chiefly filmed.
Choi Ji Woo also became known for the roles she portrayed in the dramas "The Suspicious Housekeeper" (2013), "Temptation" (2014), and "Twenty Again" (2015).
3. Ha Ji Won
Her estimated salary is USD 42,000 per episode.
In an interview with the actress in 2012, Ha Ji Won shared that before actually landing on a role for the teen drama "New Generation Report: Adults Don't Understand Us" in 1996, she has tried to audition for more than a hundred projects. Talk about never giving up, right?
Thanks to her perseverance, Ha Ji Won had her big break and received international recognition when she starred in the hit drama "Secret Garden," where she co starred with actor Hyun Bin.
Ha Ji Won also starred in the hit historical drama "Empress Ki." Her other remarkable projects include "Sex Is Zero" (2002), "Hwang Jini" (2006), and "Hospital Ship" (2017).
2. Lee Young Ae
Her estimated salary is USD 83,000 per episode.
In 1991, "Jewel in the Palace" (2003) actress Lee Young Ae started her career in the entertainment industry as a model. Two years after, she tried her luck in the entertainment industry and was lucky enough to land a role in the 1993 drama "How's Your Husband?"
Lee Young Ae was so good with her acting career that she took home the Best New Actress Award at 1994 SBS Drama Awards. Her other noteworthy dramas are "Memoir of Colors" (2017) and "Lady Vengeance" (2015). She also made a cameo in the 2018 series "My ID is Gangnam Beauty."
1. Jun Ji Hyun
Her estimated salary is USD 84,000 per episode, which makes her the highest-paid actress in 2020!
In 2001, Jun Ji Hyun made a name for herself as the top Hallyu star earlier in her career for her character in "My Sassy Girl." This film is the highest-grossing Korean romantic-comedy movies of all time.
Fast forward to 2011, she once again showcased her talent when she was the first Korean actress to be featured on American Vogue. She tried her luck in Hollywood for five years and eventually returned to the Korean TV screens. She was hailed as the top drama actress for the lead role she portrayed in the 2013 fantasy romance "My Love from the Star," opposite to Kim Soo Hyun.
Her other impressive projects are "Legend of the Blue Sea" (2016), "Windstruck" (2004), and "The Berlin File" (2013). She also made a cameo appearance in "Kingdom," and is rumored to star in its third season.
