KBS' Highest-Paid Stars Revealed

Sin Dong-yup

Sin Dong-yupwas the highest-paid entertainer at terrestrial network KBS last year.

Sin earned a total of W609.5 million (US$1=W1,137) as presenter of "Immortal Songs 2" and host of a talk show titled "Hello Counselor", according to data submitted by KBS on Monday to Democratic United Party lawmaker Jun Byung-hun of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports, Tourism, Broadcasting and Communications Committee.

Next came comedianLee Soo-geunwith W595 million, followed by actorLee Tae-gon(W522 million), comedianLee Hwi-jaeW471 million), actorKam Woo-seong(W440 million), and comedianYoo Jae-seok(W439 million).

ActressKim Ji-soo(with W400 million), actorKim Seung-woo(W350 million), actressBan Hyo-jeong(W331.3 million), and comedianPark Myeong-soo(W321 million) rounded up the top 10.

In 2010, comedian Lee Kyung-kyu topped the list with W535 million, and in 2009 versatile TV personalityTak Jae-hoonranked first with W429 million.

"KBS's base pay for the highest-paid celebrities at W146,770 for 10 minutes is 4.3 times more than W34,550 for the lowest-paid", Jun said. "It should make efforts to narrow the gap".