She holds so much power!
Lee Hyori is known as the “OG It-Girl,” with her various hits in the early 2000s. Her status as the one-top sexy idol back then was legendary. In a sea of cutesy singers, Lee Hyori’s sexy concept stood out.
She made a comeback to the industry in 2023, after a full 11 years out of the spotlight. On the June 6, 2025, broadcast of 20th Century Hit Song, the MCs discussed all-rounder idols. They named BTS‘s Jungkook, BLACKPINK‘s Jennie as the representative idols for this category. Kim Heechul brought up Lee Hyori, claiming that referring to her as an “all-rounder” was an understatement. He then revealed how much she earned after she announced her return to showbiz.
It was revealed that after an 11-year hiatus from commercial advertising, Lee Hyori made a comeback and earned ₩4.20 billion KRW (about $3.09 million USD). Upon announcing her return to commercial endorsements in July 2023, Lee Hyori was flooded with offers from numerous brands. She quickly raked in massive earnings, reaffirming her unique and unmatched status in the advertising world.
Even during the peak of her career, Lee Hyori was not only active as a top singer but also dominated the ad industry, earning titles like “CF Queen” and “#1 Brand Power.” Now, even in her 40s and without frequent public appearances, she continues to demonstrate a power that moves the entire industry.