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From BTS to Blackpink, here are 5 richest K-pop groups

K-pop groups are no longer confined to South Korea and are well-known across the globe

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: The K-pop industry has become highly-profitable over the years and is not longer confined to South Korea. Hundreds of groups debut every year, hoping to achieve the same level of success like Blackpink and BTS. However, only a handful of groups have managed to achieve such heights, making them the richest K-pop groups in South Korea.

As of 2023, these select few groups have amassed vast fortunes through music sales, investments and profitable brand deals. The industry is known for its competitiveness and demanding standards, but these groups have managed to overcome the challenges and achieve tremendous success. Their financial achievements serve as a testament to their talent, hard work and resilience in the tough world of K-pop.

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5 richest K-pop groups in 2023

1. Exo

SM Entertainment's pride and joy Exo, which is officially known as "Nation's Pick," has dominated the K-pop scene thanks to the members' exceptional vocals, impressive dance choreography and stunning visuals.

It is astonishing when you consider that Exo's value may be much greater than BTS' at a billion dollars, putting them on the same level as celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Jay-Z. While there is no way to confirm this, Korean media outlets such as KpopStarz have widely reported this figure. 

Although Exo has not attained the same level of international success as BTS, its longevity in South Korea is unmatched. The group's influence is so significant that they were named one of the Top 5 most influential celebrities on Forbes' Korea Power Celebrity list from 2014 to 2018, as per Soompi.

Popnable analyzed the band's monthly earnings in the past seven years and found that they earned an average of $2.5M between 2016 and 2022. They also made an original song for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', titled 'Lightsaber' and a music video featuring the members wielding lightsabers.

In 2021, their album, 'Don't Fight the Feelin', topped the iTunes Top Albums charts in at least 85 countries, according to Soompi.

2. BTS

As per the Free Press Journal, BTS has a net worth between $120M and $150M, earned through album sales, tours, brand endorsements and royalties. Their impact on South Korea's economy is said to be so significant that contribute $5B to South Korea's GDP, per NPR. 

In 2019, BTS earned a staggering $170M from their 'Love Yourself' World Tour, making them the highest-earning band that year, except for Metallica, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The members have also collaborated with various brands, including Baskin-Robbins, LeSportsac, Sketchers, Mattel, Casetify, Tamagotchi, VT Cosmetics and Jamie Wander.

In 2022, following the release of their album 'Proof', the group launched a new game called 'BTS Island', which is about how they relax and have fun after arriving on a mysterious empty island.

Despite living in dorms, BTS' multi-million dollar fortune has allowed them to reside in one of the most expensive dorms in South Korea, located at Hannam the Hill, where other celebrities such as Psy and actress Han Hyo-Joo, as well as high-rolling businessmen, also reside, according to Allkpop. The members have also bought themselves luxury flats, some of which cost up to $7M, as reported by Lifestyle Asia.

In addition to their success and wealth, BTS is known for its philanthropy. They donated $1M to Live Nation's Crew Nation fund to assist those who suffered financial setbacks during Covid-19, as stated by Celebrity Net Worth. 

3. BLACKPINK

Fans have dubbed YG Entertainment’s girl group BLACKPINK as the company’s “main breadwinner” due to its impressive $62M net worth, as per Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong. Since its debut in 2016, the group has been dominating charts and has become a global sensation, collaborating with international artistes such as Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Dua Lipa and Selena Gomez while appearing on multiple Billboard charts.

In 2020, Blackpink made Spotify history when their pre-release single, 'How You Like That', debuted at No 5 on Spotify’s daily Global Top 50 chart. This set a record not just for K-pop groups, but for girl groups overall. It eventually reached No 2, making it the highest-ranking K-pop song in Spotify history.

4. Twice

Known as the "Nation's Girl Group", JYP's girl bosses, Twice, are reportedly worth an impressive $35M, according to K-pop Starz. Their impact was so significant that they were the only K-pop group to make it onto Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list. In 2019, they made history as the first K-pop girl group to hold a blockbuster Japanese "dome tour."

5. TVXQ

TVXQ, a K-pop icon that debuted in 2003, remains one of the richest groups in the industry, with a net worth of $30M, as per South China Morning Post. Although once a five-member band, the last two members, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, continue to be popular. In fact, in 2018, TVXQ set a record in Japan as the first international artiste to sell a million tickets to a single tour. It has been 20 years since their debut but TVXQ still holds a strong presence on the charts today.