‘Probably over $36 million’: Korean popera singer Lim Hyung-joo's income revealed for first time on TV

Lim Hyung-joo / Courtesy of EBS

Globally acclaimed popera singer Lim Hyung-joo will unveil his personal income on television for the first time, revealing that he became a millionaire at the age of 20.

Lim will appear on EBS and E Channel’s co-produced show “Seo Jang-hoon’s Millionaire Next Door,” airing Wednesday night. Touted as “the pioneer of Korean popera and a legend in the global popera scene,” Lim’s appearance marks his first on a Korean variety program in 15 years, excluding news clips and performance broadcasts.

Lim had long declined offers from TV producers to feature his life in documentaries, but he is now set to open up on “Millionaire Next Door” about the human side behind his glamorous stage persona. The episode will also spotlight his 400-pyeong (approximately 14,200-square-foot) mansion and the emotional story it holds.

“I became a millionaire at 20, so I have every right to be here,” Lim said, explaining why he decided to appear on the show after years of turning down offers.

He was the first Korean musician to sign with all four of the world’s major classical music labels and in 2003 became the second artist in Korea after soprano Sumi Jo to command a performance fee of over 100 million won ($72,000) per show.

The program will reveal details about his signing bonuses, per-show fees and the number of concerts he has performed. Upon hearing the figures, host Seo Jang-hoon reportedly responded with astonishment, saying, “Even by conservative estimate, you must have made over 50 billion won.”

Lim also reflects on a pivotal moment in his career in his solo performance of the national anthem at the 2003 inauguration of President Roh Moo-hyun. At just 17 years old, he became the youngest person in Korean history to sing the national anthem at an inauguration. The moment left a lasting impression on the public and earned him the nickname “the anthem boy.”

“When I got the call, I honestly thought it was a voice phishing scam,” he said, recalling the initial shock of being contacted for such a monumental event. The behind-the-scenes story of how the then-unknown 17-year-old overcame opposition to sing at the presidential inauguration will air on “Millionaire Next Door” at 9:55 p.m. Wednesday on EBS and E Channel.

This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.