Net Worth Ranker
What Is Lee Jung-jae Net Worth’ Net Worth?
Lee Jung-jae, a prominent South Korean actor and former model, has accumulated a net worth of $12 million as of 2025. His financial standing is largely attributed to his successful acting career, spanning both film and television, as well as his entrepreneurial ventures. This includes a chain of Italian restaurants, real estate development, and co-founding an entertainment label.
Career and Earnings
Lee Jung-jae’s journey to a $12 million net worth began in the early 1990s. Discovered while working at an Apgujeong café by designer Ha Yong-soo, he transitioned from modeling to acting. His debut came in 1993 with the television series “Dinosaur Teacher,” marking the start of his acting career. A year later, in 1994, he played Han Joon in the TV series “Feelings” and simultaneously appeared in his first film, “The Young Man,” accumulating early income from these roles.
His breakthrough role in the 1995 SBS series “Sandglass” significantly boosted his popularity and income. Following “Sandglass,” he starred in numerous films and television series throughout the late 1990s, including “Albatross” (1996), “Fire Bird” (1997), “Father vs. Son” (1997), “An Affair” (1998), “City of the Rising Sun” (1999), and “The Uprising” (1999), alongside television appearances in “Snail” (1997) and “White Nights 3.98” (1998). While specific financial figures for each role are unavailable, his consistent work in these productions contributed to his growing net worth.
In 2000, Lee starred in “Il Mare,” a time-travel romance that, while not generating direct income beyond his acting fee, gained international recognition. His roles in “Interview” and “Asako in Ruby Shoes” followed. 2001 saw him in “Last Present” and “The Last Witness.” In 2003, he co-starred in “Oh! Brothers,” one of his most commercially successful films, potentially providing performance-based bonuses in addition to his base salary.
Lee Jung-jae’s prominence continued to rise. Starring in the 2005 action film “Typhoon,” which grossed the equivalent of $26 million at the box office, likely resulted in a substantial payout for Lee, factoring in his star power and potential profit-sharing arrangements. Further contributions to his income came from roles such as Kim Ji-sung in the 2007 MBC series “Air City,” and his appearance in the 2008 film “The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan,” along with the 2009 MBC series “Triple.”
His role in the 2010 erotic thriller “The Housemaid,” showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, added prestige to his career, and in 2012, he appeared in “The Thieves,” which became the sixth highest-grossing Korean film in history, grossing the equivalent of $86 million. These high-profile roles augmented his earnings through base salaries and potential box office bonuses.
In 2013, Lee narrated the television documentary “Contemporary Art, Bury the Boundary” and appeared in the films “New World” and “The Face Reader.” The films “Big Match” (2014), “Assassination” (2015), “Tik Tok” (2016), “Operation Chromite” (2016), and “Warriors of the Dawn” (2017) and his portrayal of the God of Death (King Yeomra) in “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds” (2017) and “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” (2018) each contributed to his income. Specific financial details of these roles remain private, but the consistent work and rising box office success of his films would have significantly increased his net worth.
In 2019, Jung-jae starred as Jang Tae-joon on the JTBC series “Chief of Staff,” earning a steady income from his television work, and he reprised the role in a cameo on “Delayed Justice” in 2021. He appeared in 2019’s “Svaha: The Sixth Finger” and 2020’s “Deliver Us from Evil,” both of which added to his acting income. In November 2021, Lee’s appointment as a global ambassador for Gucci also introduced another revenue stream through endorsements and promotional activities. The specifics of his contract with Gucci are confidential but would likely involve a substantial annual fee. These various projects have contributed to Lee Jung-jae Net Worth’ Net Worth.
“Squid Game” and International Recognition
Lee Jung-jae’s portrayal of Seong Gi-hun in the Netflix series “Squid Game” in 2021 marked a significant turning point in his career and a major boost to his net worth. “Squid Game” became the most-watched series in Netflix history, viewed by over 142 million households within a few months of its release. While the exact salary Lee received for “Squid Game” hasn’t been officially disclosed, reports suggest he earned approximately $250,000 per episode. Given the show’s nine episodes, his total earnings for the first season would have been around $2.25 million. The global popularity and critical acclaim of “Squid Game” have dramatically increased his market value, opening doors to higher-paying roles and endorsement deals.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Beyond acting, Lee Jung-jae’s net worth has been bolstered by his entrepreneurial pursuits. He opened a chain of Italian restaurants in Seoul called Il Mare, and he designed the restaurants’ interiors, indicating involvement and potential equity in the business. In 2008, Lee founded Seorim C&D, a real estate development company, adding diversification to his income streams and assets. He has also owned several businesses with his friend and “City of the Rising Sun” co-star Jung Woo-sung. In 2016, the two co-founded the entertainment label the Artist Company. While specific financial details of these ventures are not publicly available, they contribute significantly to his overall financial standing.
Real Estate and Investments
While details on specific real estate holdings are limited, Lee’s involvement with Seorim C&D suggests investments in property development. Real estate investments can significantly contribute to net worth through appreciation and rental income.
Personal Life and Additional Income
In 1999 and 2002, Lee was charged with DUI incidents. Details of any fines or settlements related to these incidents are not available, but legal issues can sometimes impact net worth. In 2008, Lee earned a master’s degree in theatre and film from Dongguk University’s Graduate School of Cultural Arts. He has been in a relationship with Im Se-ryung, the executive director of the Daesang Group, since 2015. Details of any financial co-mingling or joint investments are private. It’s important to reiterate how these different financial paths contribute to Lee Jung-jae Net Worth’ Net Worth.
Awards and Recognition
Lee Jung-jae’s awards and nominations throughout his career have increased his brand value and appeal, leading to higher salaries and endorsement opportunities. Key awards include: Best New Actor awards for “Sandglass” and “The Young Man” in 1995; Most Popular Actor awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards for “Firebird” in 1997 and “City of the Rising Sun” in 1999; Best Actor awards for “Asako in Ruby Shoes” in 2002, “Typhoon” in 2006, and “The Housemaid” in 2011. More recently, for “Squid Game,” he received the Fabulous Award – Actor, Actor of the Year (Daesang) award, and the Hot Trend Award at the 2021 Asia Artist Awards.
Other awards include: Style Icon Actor award at the 2008 Style Icon Awards; Most Influential Star at the 2010 Mnet 20’s Choice Awards; CJ CGV Star Award for “New World” and “The Face Reader” in 2013; Popularity Award at the Grand Bell Awards and a Best Supporting Actor award for “The Face Reader” at the Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2013; InStyle Fashionista Award at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2015; Marie Claire Asia Star Award for Actor of the Year and a Buil Film Award for Best Actor for “Assassination” in 2015; Super Icon (Male) at the 2018 Elle Style Awards; and Grand Prize (Daesang) – Film at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards for “Deliver Us from Evil.”
