The skyrocketing actor fees once reaching 1 billion won per episode on Netflix have now reportedly dropped to below 300 million won. While 300 million won remains an enormous sum, compared to last year’s peak, the move signals a growing awareness of the issue and a conscious effort to rein in costs.
According to OSEN on September 12, the upper ceiling for actors in Netflix series and films has fallen from 400 million to the 300 million won range, initiating what the industry calls a “salary adjustment.” One insider explained, “Netflix’s cap on actor pay is trending downward to 300 million won, mainly due to rising overall production costs.” Another added, “For years, Netflix salaries kept climbing unchecked, but from this year, limits are becoming clearer, with 300 million often mentioned internally.”
Rising Hallyu star Byun Woo-seok, who shot to fame with Lovely Runner, confirmed his first Netflix series, Solo Leveling. His fee became a topic of public curiosity. However, an insider revealed, “Despite his soaring popularity, it’s difficult for Byun Woo-seok to receive more than 300 million won under Netflix’s current guidelines.”
Still, the 300 million won cap isn’t absolute. Exceptions exist depending on the scale of the project. For instance, salaries for seasonal shows often increase by 40% in later installments, creating natural variations.
Netflix has been instrumental in the global rise of K-content, but the platform has also faced criticism for inflating production costs in Korea. Blockbusters like When Life Gives You Tangerines (approx. 60 billion won) and Squid Game (approx. 100 billion won) set unprecedented spending benchmarks, driving actor salaries upward. Critics argue this surge has strained Korea’s production ecosystem, slashing the annual number of dramas from 141 in 2022 to about 80 this year.
Reports that Squid Game 2 star Lee Jung-jae earned $1 million (1.3 billion won) per episode further fueled debate. Although Lee admitted in January that “there was some misunderstanding, but it’s true I was paid a lot,” the discourse highlighted broader concerns.
Netflix Content Director Kim Tae-won acknowledged in October of last year: “Korean content is performing well globally, but rising costs will eventually come back like a boomerang. We believe paying appropriate salaries within reasonable budgets benefits both actors and productions. While there are no strict guidelines, we aim to balance pay with each project’s scope.”
Sources: nate
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