In the drama "Temptation," actor Kwon Sang Woo played Cha Suk Hoon, a married man who was so desperate that he was ready to cheat on his wife for money. His character was so financially desperate after the collapse of his company that he had to accept a woman's offer to pay for his time.
In real life the actor is anything but desperate for cash. He recently left Bell Actors, his talent agency of six years. The company that he created, Soo Company, will now serve as his management agency.
Kwon is the latest k-drama actor to become his own manager, following the likes of Rain, So Ji Sub and Ha Ji Won. Rain left JYP Entertainment in 2007 to start his own company, J. Tune Entertainment, although he still works closely with JYP founder Park Jin Young. So Ji Sub's career is managed by his company 51K. Ha Ji Won left Wellmade StarM to create her own agency. She registered it under the name Star and Moon, although she is represented by United Talent Agency in the U.S. In 2012, Hyun Bin left AM Entertainment and together with actress Shin Min Ah decided to go independent. The two actors formed O& Entertainment.
Song Seung Hoon may have inspired his friend So Ji Sub to form his own agency because Song founded Storm S in 2009. Later renamed Better ENT, the agency now represents Kim Min Jung, Chae Jung An and Goo Jae Yi.
Currently starring in the romantic comedy "Discovery of Love," Eric Moon has been managed by his own company, Top Class Entertainment, since 2007. The actor and former singer is the CEO of Shinhwa Company, with Lee Min Woo as co-CEO. His fellow former Shinhwa members are all company shareholders.
Kwon Sang Woo's real estate holdings may also serve as an indication of his financial success. The actor recently spent almost $6 million on a building in the Cheongdamdong section of Seoul. He named his new building "Rookie819" after his son's nickname and his wife's birthdate. It's not his first building either. Last year he spent $11 million on a building in Bundang and named it Rookie1129." Those numbers refer to his mother's birthdate.
Kwon Sang Woo must soon go to China to work on promotions for "Temptation" with co-stars Choi Jiu Woo, Park Ha Sun and Lee Jung Jin, but he is already considering new roles.
