While K-pop idols often appear adorned in luxurious attire, the financial reality of their careers is far from glamorous. Recently, Hyebin, leader of the girl group Momoland, took to Instagram to shed light on this misconception.
In a video shared on Monday, Hyebin, who has been an idol for over a decade, shared insights into the earnings of K-pop idols. “Many people probably wonder how much money idols actually make. It may seem like they earn a crazy amount of money, but they don’t,” she stated.
Hyebin explained that many idols, especially those from midsize or small agencies, begin their careers burdened with substantial debt. The costs accumulated during the trainee period—which includes lessons, food, housing, and practice room rentals—are billed to idols after their debut, akin to a “post-paid system,” she described.
Even achieving chart-topping success or being part of a popular group does not guarantee financial prosperity. “In general, idols split all expenses 50-50 with the agency,” Hyebin revealed. This includes purchasing tracks from composers and producing music videos, which are expenses the idols must cover themselves.
“Every time we shoot a music video, tens of thousands of my own money vanishes,” Hyebin expressed. Despite being actively involved in events and activities, idols may still find themselves not earning as much as perceived.
The average booking fee for idol events stands at approximately $38,000, but with the agency taking a 50% share, idols are left with even less after accounting for manager salaries, transportation, and event preparations like hair and makeup.
Profits are further divided among band members. Momoland, for instance, had nine members at one point, while other groups like Seventeen have 13 members. “Every time I do an event, I walk away with around 2 million Korean won,” Hyebin said, equating to about $1,300.
The money earned is often reinvested into future projects, leaving idols in a perpetual cycle of expenses. “The money you worked your butt off to make, it sits in a pile and then goes straight into investing in the next music video,” she remarked, adding humorously, “It’s a literal infinite Dormammu loop.”
While a few idols achieve wealth, they are the exception rather than the rule. Only a small fraction of aspiring K-pop idols ever debut, and from those, only the top tier earns “any real money,” Hyebin noted.
The K-pop industry, valued at billions globally, sees significant revenue, as shown by Hybe, the label behind BTS and Seventeen, reporting its highest-ever first-quarter revenue of 698.3 billion Korean won (about $473 million) in April.
Momoland, once a leading girl group in 2018, disbanded in February 2023 after their contracts expired with MLD Entertainment. However, in 2025, six members, including Hyebin, regrouped under a new label, continuing with the same band name.
