The 'living legend of the popera world' Lim Hyung-joo has revealed the backstory of how he became a millionaire at the age of 20, along with disclosing his accumulated income for the first time on broadcast.
In the broadcast of the joint production program 'Seo Jang-hoon’s millionaire neighbor' aired on the afternoon of the 25th, popera singer Lim Hyung-joo appeared and shared stories about his hidden real life and assets behind the stage.
On that day, it was revealed that Lim Hyung-joo had already joined the ranks of 'millionaires' at the age of twenty, surprising everyone. He smiled and said, "The reason I decided to appear? Since I became a millionaire at the age of twenty, I thought I had the right to go out."
In fact, Lim Hyung-joo was the first Korean musician to sign a contract with one of the four major global record companies, and in 2003, he became the second person in Korea to surpass 100 million won per performance fee, following Sumi Jo. His solid career, which includes various overseas performances, album sales, and concert revenues, demonstrated that he is more than just a 'rich entertainer', showcasing his identity as a 'cultural asset.'
MC Seo Jang-hoon, who appeared alongside him, speculated, "Just looking at the recording contract fees, performance fees per show, and the number of performances, it is conservatively estimated that he must have earned over 50 billion won," expressing his astonishment, while the studio couldn't contain its admiration.
Lim Hyung-joo's grand mansion also drew attention. It is a four-story popera house covering about 400 pyeong, overlooking Mountain View in Seoul, featuring a stage and dressing room reminiscent of a performance venue, along with a luxurious kitchen, each space embodying his identity as a musician.
Meanwhile, Lim Hyung-joo gained public attention at the age of 17 when he sang the national anthem at the inauguration of the late President Roh Moo-hyun in 2003, and he is a globally renowned musician with an impressive resume that includes his entrance to Carnegie Hall, receiving the U.S. President Obama Volunteer Service Award, and a special audience with Pope Francis.
Viewers who watched the broadcast that day responded with comments such as, "That's why he is a real millionaire," "I didn't know Lim Hyung-joo was at that level," and "It's even cooler because it's wealth built by his own talent."
[OSEN]