Lee Jong-suk makes US$50,000 per episode in K-dramas like Netflix’s Romance is a Bonus Book, Doctor Stranger and While You Were Sleeping – so how does he spend his fortune?

Dec 8 , 2020

K-drama actor Lee Jong-suk – how does he spend his fortune? Photo: @jongsuk0206/Instagram

Lee Jong-suk enlisted in the army as a public service worker in 2019. Now, as his military service nears completion, he already has a comeback movie project in the works. According to his agency A-Man Project, he was offered a special appearance in The Witch: Part 2.

Lee is one of Korea’s highest-paid actors, reportedly earning US$50,000 per episode, an amount that’s on par with actors such as Ji Chang-wook and Korea’s very own Leonardo DiCaprio, Song Joong-ki. Before enlisting, the 31-year-old starred in TVN’s Romance is a Bonus Book, reportedly earning US$800,000 in total. His net worth reportedly sits north of US$50 million.

Lee Jong-suk and Lee Na-young in Romance is a Bonus Book. Photo: Netflix

As fans wait for his comeback, let’s take a look at the heftiest purchases Lee has made with his millions – and the charity donations where he gave back.

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He bought an abandoned building, restored it and sold it

Korean celebrities are known to own properties in posh neighbourhoods in Seoul, and Lee is no exception. In September 2016, he caused a stir when he paid US$3.4 million for an abandoned building in Sinsa-dong.

He then restored the abandoned property, revamping it into a cafe-restaurant called 89Mansion. But sales fell due to Covid-19 and he decided to sell the building for US$5.1 million. The dining establishment closed last September 14, on his birthday. According to Today, he earned US$1.7 million more than the original price.

But before the pandemic hit, Lee was able to harness his star power to make his business thrive. When 89Mansion first opened, many of Lee’s fans visited to show their support. Surrounding establishments even benefited from the influx of people who wanted to see the actor and patronise his business.

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He bought a villa while rendering military service

Lee also bought an expensive villa worth US$4.3 million at Nine One Hannam. The complex puts a premium on security and privacy, and is home to celebrities Ju Ji-hoon and BigBang’s G-Dragon. Spotv News reported that Lee made a deposit of US$3.7 million for it.

He donated to help fight Covid-19

This year saw Korean celebrities harnessing their soft power for the common good, pouring big donations into assisting medical frontliners fighting Covid-19. Even during his military stint, Lee managed to give 100 million won (US$92,000) worth of anti-contamination suits to the Korean Medical Association.

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He gives back to children – a lot

Lee is known for his ardent advocacy against violence towards children. He donated US$165,000 to Unicef Korea in 2016 and US$93,000 to international aid organisation Good Neighbors to help children in crisis in 2018. Throughout the years, fans have praised him for supporting such a cause, calling him “The Giving Angel” and “Donation Fairy” for his generosity.

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K-drama news

With the same earning power as ‘Korea’s Leonardo DiCaprio’, Song Joong-ki, Lee Jong-suk splashes out on fancy real estate in the same neighbourhood as Big Bang’s G-Dragon but also makes generous donations to fight Covid-19