Interest in K-pop, K-drama and K-culture has been growing rapidly over the past few years, with BTS – the hugely successful boy band – riding on the crest of the “Korean wave”, or hallyu, the term for Korean entertainment and culture’s global popularity. BTS’ albums have topped the charts abroad, with the seven-member group, featured on the cover of Time magazine, adding new concert dates to its extended sold-out 11-month world tour, in the US, Brazil, France, Britain and Japan – where it ends this weekend – to meet demand. Mandopop star Luhan – the essentials: highlights from the former EXO member’s acting and singing career A number of other K-pop celebrities have been able to widen their appeal abroad, too – particularly in China. Check out five stars who have made it big on the Chinese mainland: Luhan (former EXO member) Born and raised in Beijing, Luhan, a former member of the popular South Korean-Chinese boy band EXO, has enjoyed huge success as a singer and actor in his home country. In 2017, Luhan, 29, whose real name is Lu Han, was ranked the “‘second highest earning celebrity in China”, according to figures from Chinese media outlet EToday. He ranked only behind leading Chinese actress Fan Bingbing. View this post on Instagram It’s my great honor to be the ambassador of Audemars Piguet.Such a wonderful night！️️️ A post shared by 鹿 Han (@7_luhan_m) on Jul 13, 2018 at 9:32am PDT <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- //--><!]]> Luhan was reported to have earned 181.6 million yuan (US$26.4 million), according to EToday figures. Luhan was reported to have earned 181.6 million yuan (US$26.4 million) His main earnings came from his starring role in the 2017 drama Fighter of the Destiny , and his album sales, including his hit debut solo release “Reloaded”. He has also appeared in the hit Chinese films 20 Once Again, and The Witness , both released in 2015, and Time Raiders (2016). According to the terms of the contract he signed with SM Entertainment, the company responsible for managing his former group EXO, Luhan is prevented from working in Korea or Japan. However, regardless of these restrictions on his employment, he has achieved astonishing success in China. Jet-setting K-pop star Taeyong’s 5 trendiest airport looks Hwang Chi-yeul The Korean born star made his debut in the music business in 2007, with a release of a single and album, but Hwang, 36, continued to struggle to make a lasting impact in show business until his appearance on the Korean variety television show, I Can See Your Voice, in 2015. This led to a dramatic increase in his popularity at home and abroad – with his influence extending to China’s music scene, largely thanks to the success of his second mini-album, “Star”. in 2016 he revealed on the Korean television talk show, Happy Together , that he had annual earnings of 300 million won (US$255,000). View this post on Instagram 롯데면세점 본점 스타에비뉴^^ 와봤냠~#롯데면세점 #냠 #lottedutyfree #LDF#손바닥합체#스타에비뉴#황치열#영광#항상감사합니다 A post shared by 황치열 (ChiYeul Hwang,黄致列） (@chiyeul7102) on Apr 18, 2019 at 11:11pm PDT <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- //--><!]]> His singing talent has seen him increase his popularity on the Chinese mainland through his appearance in the Chinese reality television show, I Am a Singer Season 4 , which saw him finishing third in the final. How K-pop group BTS’ global success has raised the profile of Korean fashion brands T-ara View this post on Instagram To mark the memorable of T-ara 10th anniversary, T-ARA UNION VN to present the projects as follows ️ Screening of T-ara anniversary videos on the Led boards in Hochiminh city for 10 - 15 days ️ Organize a charity to help homeless people ️ And more project! Hope all you like it https://t.co/ggSkkQmERs A post shared by (@tara_apink_snsd) on Jun 23, 2019 at 10:13am PDT <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- //--><!]]> The K-pop girl group T-ara, which was formed in 2009, first gained popularity in China after singing a cover version of the signature song of Chinese duo Chopstick Brothers, Little Apple, in 2014. The response to their song saw them embark on their debut tour on the mainland, named the “Great China Tour” in 2015, which was a huge success, with sold-out concerts wherever they performed. T-ara, which is now a four-member group – after launching as a five-piece and the departure of various members over the years – continues to have a big following on the Chinese mainland. The group, previously managed by the Korean company, MBK Entertainment, has now reportedly signed a deal with the Chinese management company Longzhen, worth 50 million won Chae Yeon View this post on Instagram 헤어톤다운.. 광고촬영때문에 했었는데.. 다시 밝게할지말지 고민중.. 어떻게 하죠? ^^ #패션위크 #그리디어스 A post shared by 연 (@chaeyeon_lee) on Mar 30, 2019 at 11:32pm PDT <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- //--><!]]> Chae Yeon, 40, whose real name is Lee Chae-yeon, made her show business debut in 2003. She began to gain a following among Chinese audiences in 2007, after she appeared regularly on a television programme shown on the provincial satellite television station, Hunan TV. In 2008, she released a Chinese song, My Love, and has followed this success with the release of a further six albums. Who is K-drama actress Lee Yeol-eum? She has also boosted her appeal by acting in various local Chinese television dramas. Entering her 40s, Chae Yeon revealed on Happy Together that she earns of between 300,000 won and 400,000 won each time she performs two or three songs on TV. She also earns millions of won from her many appearances in television commercials. View this post on Instagram #Repost @cai_entertain (@get_repost) ・・・ -차이엔터테인먼트- #채연 #티저1 #봤자야 #freak me #고마워미안해사랑해 #채연디지털싱글 . A post shared by 연 (@chaeyeon_lee) on Oct 31, 2018 at 11:32pm PDT <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- //--><!]]> She says she has the Korean group Clone to thank for her early success in China, because one of its members invited her to visit China when the group was giving a concert. Park Hae-jin Actor Park Hae-jin, 36, started his acting career in 2006 and has enjoyed growing success after appearing in numerous Korean drama series, including 2013’s My Love from the Star, Doctor Strange (2014), Cheese in the Trap (2016) and Man to Man (2017). In 2011, Park appeared in a Chinese television drama series for the first time, Loose Money Married Mind , on Hunan TV. His huge success in Chinese productions has led to the issuing of a limited edition set of Chinese stamps, showing Park’s face; these stamps are produced only for the 100 most influential celebrities in China. His [Park Hae-jin’s] huge success in Chinese productions has led to the issuing of a limited edition set of Chinese stamps, showing Park’s face Netflix K-drama series ‘Memories of the Alhambra’ set for launch These stamps cost 698 yuan (US$100) while a phone card showing a photograph of his face costs 120 yuan. Park has also appeared in numerous advertisements for Chinese cosmetic brands, is a brand ambassador in the country and also supports environmental projects, including tree planting awareness campaigns to highlight the problem of desertification in China’s western regions. View this post on Instagram "제 생일 축하를 거하게 받았습니다~놀랐어요. 그래서 저도 쏩니다~ 저의 전차스! 클럽진스 이벤트에서 곧 만나요!" #박해진 #朴海镇 #朴海鎮 #パクへジン #พัคแฮจิน #ปาร์คแฮจิน #parkhaejin #시크릿 #강산혁 A post shared by 박해진 (@mountain_movement) on May 1, 2019 at 1:58am PDT <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- //--><!]]> Want more stories like this? Sign up here . Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter
