What Are the Richest K-Pop Groups in South Korea?

K-pop is a profitable industry, with hundreds of groups debuting every year, hoping for the kind of success groups like Blackpink and BTS have achieved. While many groups have tried, few will reach the heights of the following 10 K-pop groups.

As of 2022, these groups are believed to be the richest in South Korea and have made their fortunes through their music, investments, and lucrative brand deals. The K-pop industry can be unforgiving, and these groups have beat the overwhelming odds and achieved enviable monetary success.

While it’s difficult to confirm exactly how much money each group on this list has made throughout the years, we compiled estimates of their net worth to bring you this list of the 10 richest K-pop groups.

10. Red Velvet

After debuting in 2014 with the song “Happiness,” Red Velvet has achieved a lot in eight years as a group. Estimates of their net worth range from a modest $8 million up to as much as $40 million, thanks to consistent music releases, commercials, and individual business deals.

As a K-pop girl group, Red Velvet has broken many musical records throughout their history. First, they became the first girl group in K-pop to chart a debut single on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart with Happiness. Red Velvet performed in North Korea as part of a special concert in April 2018, becoming the first K-pop group to perform in North Korea since 2003. In addition to that, they’re the first K-pop girl group ever to have four tracks at the top of the World Albums chart: “The Red,” “Rookie,” “The Red Summer,” and “Perfect Velvet.”

In terms of their brand collaborations, each member has signed deal after deal with luxury brands. These include Prada, Miu Miu, Ferragamo, Damiani, and Hogan. As their luxury portfolio continues to grow, their net worth is only projected to increase. Furthermore, their inclusion on numerous celebrity power lists demonstrates their brand power around the globe. In 2019, Billboard declared Red Velvet as “the best idol group alive.” The South Korean government has also praised the group for helping to spread K-pop throughout the world.

The members have been busy with solo activities this year, including Seulgi’s solo debut with “28 Reasons” and Joy’s drama, Once Upon a Small Town, but they found the time to release two mini albums in 2022.

9. MAMAMOO

MAMAMOO is one of the lucky K-pop groups to be successful both in their solo careers and as a whole. After debuting in 2014, the group from RBW Entertainment quickly took off with their vocal-focused retro sound. The group’s total net worth is unknown, but most sites estimate it to be anywhere from $10 million to $14.9 million. The girls have been focusing more on their solo careers as of late but recently released their latest mini album, Mic On, in October 2022. Also, Mamamoo+ made up of members Solar and Moonbyul, released their first EP, Two Rabbits, in August.

Hwasa, in particular, has continued her run as one of the most visible and prominent members of the group. Along with releasing a couple of successful singles this year, Hwasa also earns from her consistent broadcast appearances. She was a regular cast member of MBC’s I Live Alone, where she gained even more popularity. She had her own television program in 2023, Hwasa Show, and joined another program that year, Dancing Queens on the Road, with other idol stars. Other shows she appeared in are King of Masked Singer, Hangout With Yoo, Hidden Singer, and Saturday Night Live (SNL).

The “Maria” star also makes money from endorsement deals with brands and companies like The North Face, Lotte, Davich, Coca-Cola, Rarekind, Everland, Ottogi, EA Korea, Adidas, and Kiss New York, among others.