Sky-high celebrity appearance fees on variety programs astonish netizens

Celebrity appearance fees for variety shows have left netizens astonished.

On an online forum, netizens were left in disbelief after encountering a chart detailing the purported earnings of celebrities for their appearances on various variety programs. The chart, allegedly from 2022, outlined the staggering fees paid to celebrities for each episode of popular shows like '1 Night 2 Days,' 'I Live Alone,' 'Hangout With Yoo,' 'My Ugly Duckling,' 'Bachelors Again,' and 'Knowing Brothers.'

According to the chart, top earners included Yoo Jae Suk (25 million KRW [$18,770 USD per episode]), Shin Dong Yup (20 million KRW [$15,020 USD]), Kang Ho Dong (between 15 million and 18 million KRW), Lee Hyori (between 10 million and 15 million KRW), Kim Sung Joo (between 10 million and 15 million KRW), Jeon Hyun Moo (15 million KRW), and Park Na Rae (10 million KRW).

Notably, idols who frequently appear in variety programs such as Henry, Heechul, SHINee members, and Hwa Sa were also listed among the high-paid celebrities.

Some celebrities appearing in multiple shows also have different appearance fee rates depending on the program. Moreover, these are rough figures based on 2022 data, with additional celebrities joining these shows and brand values increasing for some of those listed. According to broadcast reports, as permanent cast members, celebrities would earn a separate fee for reruns at the same rate as the initial runs.

Despite the lack of validity regarding the unconfirmed figures, netizens maintained a skeptical attitude toward the reality of celebrities receiving high payments per episode. Many pointed out the implications of such high fees, including increased retail prices for non-celebrity civilians.

Top comments include:

"Corporations use these celebrities as models and raise the retail prices in order to match their high payment of the commercial fees. The only people suffering are the non-celebrity civilians."

"So, the celebrities who earn at least 10 million KRW end up with 100 million KRW in their hands after filming just 10 episodes?!"

"If you celebrities ever have a hard time working in the entertainment field, try working part-time at Coupang just for one day"

"Lol, imagine their fees now lol that was already 2 years ago"

Other reactions include:

"Corporations are raising the prices for OTT subscriptions, YouTube subscriptions, and other fees just to keep up with their brand values."

"I read in the newspaper that Park Na Rae earns about 70 million KRW per week........."

"I have no pity for the celebrities who say they have a hard time even if they have to deal with hate comments. They really do earn that much.... Regular people earn about 3 million KRW a month after listening to rude superiors and customers criticize you in front of your face all month long"

"LOL even the people who film segments for the traffic news earn about 3 million to 4 million per episode"

"You should remember that most of the celebrities who lament about their financial crises get into that mess because they gambled it away trying to found some kind of business or spending it way too easily. I can't say that's the same as being in real economic distress."

"I worked at Coupang for about a year and a half, and I really do think that they should experience working in the freezer at Coupang just for a second so that they stop complaining and understand their privileges"

"Lol that's just for the variety programs. You should see the figures for K-dramas. They earn about 100 million per episode."

"I'm not sure how accurate this is though, HaHa and Jung Jun Ha earn less than Moon Se Yoon?"

"This is why I can never watch celebrities complaining"

"Please just give me one spot, I will do anything even if it means getting a truckload of hate comments everyday T__T"

"LOL I'm so envious haha the reason why the cost of living in South Korea is high is because of them lol"

"Of course that is why the celebrities try to bring all their family members to the field as well"

What are your thoughts?