Byun Woo-seok Earns Over 10 Billion Won After 'Sunae Upgo Twi'

Byun Woo-seok, hailed as 'the discovery of the year,' has seen his advertising model fees triple in just six months, surpassing 10 billion won in cumulative earnings. According to reports from OSEN on November 20, Byun Woo-seok has generated over 10 billion won in advertising revenue following the conclusion of the tvN hit series Sunae Upgo Twi (선재 업고 튀어).

When Sunae Upgo Twi premiered in April, few anticipated the level of success it would achieve. However, the show created a sensation, reaching a peak viewership rating of 5.8% and propelling Byun Woo-seok into stardom. Initially, he earned around 400 million won annually from advertisements, but his value has skyrocketed since then. He is now reportedly receiving over 1 billion won per advertisement, with discussions suggesting fees could reach between 1 billion and 1.5 billion won.

The advertising industry, often seen as a barometer of popularity, has been inundated with requests to feature Byun Woo-seok, who is now the face of approximately 19 brands across various sectors, including finance, outdoor gear, electronics, cosmetics, furniture, cafes, fashion, and chicken franchises. Notably, the chicken brand Kyochon, which had long held the top market position, turned to Byun Woo-seok for a star marketing campaign after falling to third place behind bhc and BBQ, highlighting his significant influence and popularity.

Byun Woo-seok's advertising fees are among the highest in the industry, placing him among the top stars in South Korea. While not every contract reaches the 1 billion won mark, conservative estimates suggest that his total advertising revenue has far exceeded 10 billion won.

There were concerns that Byun Woo-seok's image might suffer due to controversies surrounding his 'excessive security' during an overseas fan meeting. However, it appears that these issues have not had a significant impact on his marketability.

Currently, Byun Woo-seok is contemplating his next project following Sunae Upgo Twi, with industry insiders already speculating about his potential fees for future roles. Given the success of Sunae Upgo Twi, there are predictions that he could command a guaranteed fee in the millions for his next project, with estimates suggesting he might earn 1 billion won or more per episode, especially considering his immense popularity and international rights. A representative from a production company stated, "He is likely to join the ranks of actors with guaranteed fees in the millions for his next project."