When k-drama stars are looking for a smart way to invest their earnings, real estate is a popular choice.
Actress Kim Tae Hee recently bought the Prestige 2 building near Exit 4 of the Gangnam SubwayStation in Seoul. The building is estimated to be worth $13 million. Built in 2011, the building contains not only apartments but also schools and restaurants. The actress who is currently in China filming the drama "Wang Xizhi," took out a loan of about $5 million but reportedly paid the rest in cash.
Kim Tae Hee's boyfriend Rain is also a landholder. The actor, who will appear in the Hollywood film "The Prince," owns two buildings that together are worth about $12 million. One of the buildings is in Cheongdam-dong and the other is in Sinsa-dong, two of Seoul's pricier neighborhoods.
When it comes to real estate, Kim Tae Hee is worth more than her boyfriend but it probably won't lead to an argument. They are both high up on the list of real-estate-holding k-celebs.
At the very top of a recent survey by Chaebul.com are SM Entertainment president Lee Soo Man, k-pop icon Seo Taiji and YG Entertainment's Yang Hyun Suk.
Last year, actor Kwon Sang Woo had a six-story building built in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, less than 20 miles from central Seoul. The building, valued at $11 million, was named Rookie 1129 after Kwon's son. The numbers in the name refer to his mom's birthday.
Super Junior member Choi Si Won, who last appeared on the small screen in "The King of Dramas," is not only a real life chaebol but he personally owns three apartments and two homes.
Jang Dong Gun bought a $3 million villa in Heuksuk-dong before he married actress Go So Young, who already owned a building in Cheongdam-dong. Altogether she is said to own about $20 million in real estate, including the home where her parents live.
JYJ's members have invested in real estate too. Park Yoochun and Kim Jaejoong bought neighboring villas worth almost $3 million, while Kim Junsu purchased an $18 million Jeju Island resort.
Actresses Song Hye Kyo and Son Ye Jin bought neighboring luxury villas in Samsong-dong.
Song Seung Hoon, last seen in the film "Obsession" and the drama "When A Man Loves," owns a building in the Jamwon-dong neighborhood of Seoul that is estimated to be worth $10.4 million.
Jun Ji Hyun, whose Hallyu star character lived in a glamorous apartment in "You Who Came From The Stars," owns two buildings. Her building in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu is valued at $2.9 million, while the building in Nonhyun-dong, is valued at $6.6 million.
These celebrities have a promising future as entertainers but should they decide to quit their day jobs, they own some prime real estate.
