BTS vs. Blackpink Net Worth: Which K-Pop Group Is Richer?

BTS and Blackpink are arguably the biggest K-pop groups in the world right now. But which Korean act is wealthier?

BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook receive an equal share of earnings for group activities and endorsements. However, the members each have other sources of income such as songwriting and producing, TV show appearances and brand collaborations.

Several outlets previously said that J-Hope was the richest member of BTS. He used to have an estimated net worth of around $12 million, while the six other members hovered around $8 million to $10 million.

However, when their management company Big Hit Entertainment went public in October at $236 per share, all seven members received 68,385 shares. The IPO of Big Hit Entertainment went on to become one of the most successful in South Korea after recording a $4.1 billion market cap at the end of its first day. As such, BTS' shares hiked the personal wealth of each member to around $20 million, Fortune reported.

This year, BTS earned $50 million before their agency went public, Forbes reported. Their massive earnings ranked them 47th on the list of highest-paid celebrities in the world for 2020.

In 2019, the group made $170 million from their six-month world tour, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The only other group who did better was Metallica.

Like their fellow Koreans, Blackpink has gained massive success both in South Korea and abroad. Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé were invited to perform at Coachella in 2019, making history as the first K-pop girl group to grace the stage of the annual music festival. As their popularity overseas increases, so does the demand to sign them for sponsorship deals.

The richest Blackpink member is Lisa, who has an estimated net worth of $10 million, while Jennie, Jisoo and Rosé have around $8 million. Like BTS, Blackpink shares group earnings equally among members, but they are free to pursue personal projects.

Lisa maintains a huge following on her social media accounts and is an in-demand endorser back in her home country Thailand. Jennie released her own album “Solo” and an eyewear collection, while Jisoo and Rosé host shows and model luxury brands when they are not busy promoting and touring.

Due to their popularity, BTS and Blackpink are also big contributors to the South Korean economy. Before the pandemic happened, tourists flocked to the country to buy merchandise, visit locations where they filmed their music videos and see them live.

When it comes to endorsements, Blackpink has represented brands such as Adidas, Sprite, Louis Vuitton, Kia, Dior and LG, among others. BTS, meanwhile, has had deals with Coca-Cola, Lotte, Hyundai, Puma, LG and Samsung.

It is safe to say BTS has the upper hand over Blackpink when it comes to personal fortune and group net worth. The groups are not in competition with each other, but they aim to inspire fans in South Korea and around the world with their music and message.