The highest-earning celebrity in South Korea.

TPO - BTS are the highest-earning celebrities in South Korea, with pre-tax earnings for the period of 2025-2026 surpassing even Taylor Swift. Meanwhile, Jennie tops the list of highest-earning female artists.

Báo Tiền Phong•30/05/2026

On May 27th, Forbes Korea released its list of the 10 most powerful celebrities in South Korea based on estimated earnings for the period 2025-2026 (before tax). This income figure is calculated from various sources such as music sales, touring, participation in television and film programs, advertising, brand endorsements, and other business activities.

Leading the pack is BTS with estimated earnings of 334 billion won (222 million USD). Notably, the group only reunited with their full lineup for the first time in four years through the album Arirang , released in March 2026.

BTS's reunion has already earned them a huge amount of money. Photo: Getty Images

The figure includes a huge advance payment from the new album, bonuses generated from renewing the contract with the global distribution partner, and profit sharing from the 9 nights of the BTS World Tour Arirang as of May.

The tour kicked off on April 9th at Goyang Stadium (South Korea) and is expected to run until March 2027 with approximately 79-85 shows in 34 cities across 23 countries, all held in stadiums.

Beyond music, all seven members of BTS currently hold a total of 31 exclusive endorsement and advertising contracts with a host of leading luxury brands worldwide, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Valentino, Celine, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. This is also one of the group's biggest sources of income. After completing their military service, BTS continued to renew and sign numerous lucrative promotional contracts worth tens to hundreds of billions of won.

Forbes Korea also included estimated revenue from the exclusive global live streaming and documentary deal with Netflix, along with profits from films documenting previously recreated live performances.

For comparison, according to Forbes' previously published "Highest-Earning Music Artists of 2025" ranking, the highest earner was The Weeknd with $298 million. The latest statistics from Forbes Korea show that BTS's estimated earnings this year have surpassed Taylor Swift, who is projected to earn $202 million in 2025 and rank second on the list. The magazine predicts that upon completing their world tour in 2027, BTS could potentially surpass The Weeknd.

BTS also topped the list in terms of media mentions in South Korea with a total of 371,943 articles, surpassing Son Heung Min – who had held the number one spot for many years – by a margin of 5,698 articles.

Following BTS is BlackPink with estimated earnings of approximately 151.8 billion won (around $100 million USD). This achievement officially puts the YG girl group in the "hundred-million-dollar club," alongside top pop superstars like Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar.

BlackPink joins the "100 million dollar club".

BlackPink's income primarily comes from performance guarantees, ticket sales, and merchandise revenue from their 33 world tours between 2025 and 2026. In addition, 33 luxury brand endorsement and advertising contracts for the four members contribute nearly 33% of the group's total income.

In third place is G-Dragon with 92.6 billion won (US$61.5 million). Notably, unlike BTS or BlackPink – where income is a combination of group and individual activities – the entire amount earned by the Big Bang leader comes from his solo activities.

The main sources of revenue will come from a 22-night world tour in 2025 and this year's fan meeting.

Songs like "Home Sweet Home ," "Too Bad ," "Power ," and "Crooked" consistently ranked high on various charts, generating significant digital music revenue. Additionally, he holds seven advertising and brand ambassador contracts.

The remaining positions in the top 10 are mostly occupied by BTS members, including Jin ($34.6 million), Jungkook ($33.2 million), V ($31.9 million), Jimin ($28.6 million), J-Hope ($27.3 million), and RM ($25.3 million).

Rounding out the list is Jennie of BlackPink with $25.2 million. The Solo singer is the only female artist in the top 10, and also the highest-earning South Korean female artist.