How much is K-drama Descendants of the Sun actress Song Hye-kyo, one of the highest paid in Korea, worth and how does she spend it?
Off screen, the Descendants of the Sun star is also a savvy real estate investor and a highly sought after brand ambassador for the likes of Chaumet, Bottega Veneta and Sulwhasoo – so how does she indulge?
Since debuting in 1996, Song has often been one of Korea’s highest-paid stars, reportedly receiving up to an estimated US$42,000 per K-drama episode. Her hallyu status is largely due to her successful series, beginning with Autumn in My Heart in 2000, then Full House in 2004, both of which are considered classics, being part of the first hallyu wave to carry Korean culture beyond its shores.
Song quickly rose to fame all over Asia, especially in China, even appearing in a couple of Chinese films. She has also played a supporting role in Wong Kar-wai’s 2013 movie, The Grandmaster.
In the same year, despite a hiatus from the small screen, Song managed to stage a successful comeback in That Winter, The Wind Blows. In 2016, she starred in Descendants of the Sun, alongside her then-future husband Song Joong-ki. The drama topped the ratings and proved popular overseas, resulting in international remakes.
In 2017, Song’s personal life took over the headlines following her whirlwind romance and then marriage to Song Joong-ki. However, Song-Song saw an unfortunate ending to their love story, and the pair figured in one of Korea’s most controversial and high profile divorces.