G-Dragon speaks at a fan meeting. (Photo / Galaxy Corp. )
G-Dragon Reportedly Earns Over 65 Billion Won in 2025
Kwon Ji-yong, widely known as G-Dragon, is estimated to have received more than 65 billion won (approximately $48 million) in settlement payments from his agency last year, according to local reports.
On April 8, reports citing the audit filings of Galaxy Corporation indicated that the artist’s earnings were significantly boosted by his large-scale global activities.
Audit Report Points to Surge in Payments
According to the company’s audit report disclosed on April 6 by domestic daily Money Today, Galaxy Corporation recorded 71.4 billion won in service-related expenses last year—a more than 30-fold increase compared to the previous year.
Industry analysts note that in the entertainment sector, such expenses typically consist largely of artist settlement payments. Based on this, the report estimated that G-Dragon’s share alone likely exceeded 65 billion won, excluding additional costs such as legal and promotional services.
A company representative was quoted as saying, “Outsourced service costs related to G-Dragon’s world tour were also included in the expense category.”
However, reports suggest that separate outsourcing costs—amounting to 94.3 billion won—were recorded under a different account, further supporting the estimate that a substantial portion of the 71.4 billion won was allocated to the artist.
Additional Income Streams Expected
Beyond settlement payments, G-Dragon is also believed to have generated additional income through royalties and other revenue streams, potentially pushing his total annual earnings even higher.
Industry experts note that top-tier artists often earn significant sums from intellectual property rights, endorsements, and global streaming performance.
Successful Comeback and Global Tour
G-Dragon’s earnings surge follows the release of his third full-length solo album Übermensch and an extensive world tour.
The artist performed 39 shows across 17 cities, attracting approximately 825,000 attendees. The tour’s strong performance played a key role in driving both his personal earnings and the company’s financial growth.
Fueled by G-Dragon’s activities, Galaxy Corporation reported a sharp increase in overall performance. The company’s consolidated revenue rose 618% year-on-year to 298.9 billion won, while operating profit reached 12.5 billion won, marking a return to profitability.
The results highlight the significant impact a single top-tier artist can have on an entertainment company’s financial outcomes.
Background: A Leading Figure in K-pop
G-Dragon debuted as a member of BIGBANG and has long been recognized as one of the most influential figures in K-pop.
His solo work, fashion influence, and global presence have solidified his status as a key player in the industry over the past two decades.
The report underscores the growing financial scale of the K-pop industry, where leading artists command substantial earnings through diversified revenue streams.
As global demand for K-pop continues to expand, agencies are increasingly investing in high-profile talent and large-scale tours to maximize returns.
Galaxy Corporation has also been expanding its artist roster, recently signing high-profile figures such as Song Kang-ho, Kim Jong-kook, and Taemin as part of its strategy to diversify its intellectual property portfolio.
With continued global influence and strong commercial performance, G-Dragon is expected to remain a major force in the K-pop industry.
Analysts suggest that his future projects—both musical and commercial—will likely sustain high revenue levels for both the artist and his agency.
David Kim is a senior author at KpopBreaking, focusing on major K-pop events, industry trends, and global entertainment news. He has experience covering large-scale concerts and international promotions.
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