A K-pop idol breaks down the math behind why your favorite star might be broke0

• bond-market, Business, Business / Artificial Intelligence, Business / Big Tech, Business / Companies, Business / Computers and Software, Business / Markets, Business / Social Media, business-idea, business-insider-today, business-strategy, Careers, CoECI News, E! Insider, Energy & Environment Newsletter, Finance, Gaming News Roundup, Gear / Gear News and Events, Global, Global Precipitation, global warming, globalstar, HEALTH, Home, House, insider-picks, insider-picks-guides, insider-reviews, insider-reviews-2021, insider-today, job-market, k-pop, Markets, Markets & Festivals, News, newsletter, Newsletters, Nexstar Media Wire News, People News, Personal Finance, personal-finance, Photovogue / Editorial / News, Politics / Politics News, Property / News, Reviews, reviews-rit-ads, Security / Security News, shop, Shop Beauty
• July 8, 2026

K-pop idols often dress in luxury clothing from brand deals, but the reality of their careers can seem quite bleak. Hyebin, the leader of six-member girl group Momoland, took to Instagram this week to dispel the illusion that every K-pop idol makes cash. “It’s been more than 10 years since I became an idol,” he