Festival Exposes How Much Idol Groups Get Paid For Performing

Did you expect these numbers?

The highly anticipated 2025 Wonju K-POP Festival has been officially canceled, with organizers issuing a public apology to fans and ticket holders on October 30.

Hosted by the Korean Cultural Arts Education Promotion Association, the festival was expected to feature a star-studded lineup including FIFTY FIFTY, Highlight, fromis_9, KISS OF LIFE, among others. However, the organizers announced that despite their best efforts, they were ultimately unable to proceed with the event due to “organizational shortcomings and financial difficulties.”

Due to the delays in refunds, the organizers later had no choice but to release financial information on the artists, including how much each artist was paid.

“Hello, this is Director Kang Jin Young from the Korea Institute for Humanities and Arts Education Promotion.

First, we sincerely apologize to those who pre-purchased tickets for the festival for the delays in cancellations and refunds. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused by the delayed refund process and apologize once again for not addressing the matter sooner.

We have been in continuous discussions and negotiations with the agency regarding refunds for the artists’ performance fees and the pre-sale ticket refunds. The agency has expressed that they are also working through each artist’s label to proceed with the necessary refund processes for pre-sale buyers. They have asked for your understanding and patience as they work to complete the process as quickly as possible.

The agency has stated that since the amount we paid to them in performance fees was substantial, they are also coordinating with the artists’ side to process refunds accordingly.”

| @wonderk.festival/X

Here’s how much each artist was paid for the festival appearance.

• Highlight: ₩165 million KRW (about $116,000 USD)
• fromis_9: ₩99.0 million KRW (about $69,500 USD)
• KISS OF LIFE: ₩132 million KRW (about $92,600 USD)
• FIFTY FIFTY: ₩77.0 million KRW (about $54,000 USD)
• H1GHKEY: ₩44.0 million KRW (about $30,900 USD)
• triple.S: ₩165 million KRW (about $116,000 USD)
• Maktub: ₩55.0 million KRW (about $38,600 USD)

Many expressed their shock over the high fees. Of course, these fees not only include accommodation and transport, but also hair and makeup, staff coverage, and more! With stage outfits and hair and makeup easily going into the thousands, this amount doesn’t seem that high at all.