On February 27, Kim Hyun Joong appeared on the YouTube channel B-Class Studio in an episode titled “We Invited a Universe-Level Star Who Was Sleeping,” featured in the segment B-Class Hearing. The conversation focused on his breakthrough role in Boys Over Flowers, which made him a household name across Asia. While one host mistakenly said the drama was the top-rated at the time, Kim clarified that East of Eden on MBC held that distinction, while acknowledging how pivotal Boys Over Flowers was in launching his career.
Looking back at his sudden fame, Kim Hyun Joong described how overwhelming his schedule and public attention were. “Looking back, I don’t think I even fully realized how popular I was. I’d wake up and film a commercial, wake up and shoot something else. I couldn’t even go outside freely,” he said, emphasizing the nonstop nature of his work and the challenges of handling early stardom at just 23 years old.
The discussion then turned to his earnings from that period. When asked about his income, Kim modestly said he made “a considerable amount,” stressing that he was always aware of his finances despite the busy schedule. When asked whether he had earned around 10 billion won (approximately $75 million), he hinted that the total may have exceeded that estimate, highlighting the significant financial rewards of his early career.
Kim Hyun Joong’s interview offered an honest account of the pressures, achievements, and financial successes that came with rising to fame through Boys Over Flowers, showing both the personal and professional impact of his early career.
