Before being dubbed as "chocolate abs" or "Sparta kook" in the longtime running variety show "Running Man," Kim Jong Kook first became part of the famous 90s idol duo Turbo launched in 1995.
However, in 2001 and after releasing their 5th album, the 45-year-old star left this agency due to contract expiration.
This was when he started his solo career and the rest was history for Kim Jong Kook.
After raking multiple recognitions and awards in the music industry, the singer-host decided to enter the entertainment world and became one of the official cast of SBS' variety show "Running Man" in 2010.
With only a year being one of the show's mainstay, Kim Jong Kook scored Best TV Star Award at the SBS Entertainment Awards.
Since then, the OG cast, including Yoo Jae Suk, Gary, Haha, Lee Kwang Soo and more, made the program among the unbeatable variety shows and became one of the most beloved shows airing for 11 years and counting.
With his long list of achievements in both the music and entertainment industry, let's get to know more about the Sparta kook, starting with Kim Jong Kook's net worth.
READ MORE: Kim Jong Kook Talks About Getting Married at 50 and Undergoing Doping Test in SBS 'Take Off Your Shoes'
Kim Jong Kook Net Worth 2022
According to celebritynetworth.com, Kim Jong Kook's net worth is around $16 million, with the majority of his wealth coming from his career as a celebrity.
Aside from "Running Man," he has an upcoming program with Mnet titled "I Can See Your Voice Season 9" with fellow host Lee Tuk and Yoo Se Yoon.
On top of that, he launched his own Youtube channel in June 2021 and named it Gym Jong Kook, where he gives fans a sneak peek of his daily life, including his workout session.
At the time, he explained that he wanted it to be his platform to communicate with his fans and to help "make Korea healthier" by sharing his exercise routine and health tips.
"I'll work hard so that this can become a channel in which we can communicate together and share a variety of content for a long time in the future! Rather than evaluate me based on the body you see, I hope that you will evaluate me based on my sincerity and consistency when it comes to exercise!"
In just 14 hours since he launched his channel, it gained more than 180,000 subscribers. As of this writing, Kim Jong Kook's Youtube has 2.41 million subscribers and counting.
Is Kim Jong Kook the Richest' Running Man' Member?
Based on celebritynetworth.com, Lee Kwang Soo's net worth is estimated at $2.5 million, while Song Ji Hyo's net worth sits at $12 million.
On the other hand, host-comedian HaHa's net worth is at $9 million per idolnetworth.com, while Yoo Jae Suk is with $10 million net worth, which makes Kim Jong Kook the richest "Running Man" cast member.
