K-pop superstar G-Dragon’s decision to gift his long-serving staff members flats worth a combined total of hundreds of millions of won (around several hundred thousand USD) has sparked a frenzy among netizens, with some asking, “Are you still hiring?”
Dubbed the “King of K-pop,” the 38-year-old singer Kwon Ji-yong, better known as G-Dragon in the entertainment industry, is one of the most popular stars in South Korea and across Asia. He is the leader of BigBang, one of the world’s bestselling boy bands.
In late April, it was revealed that G-Dragon had gifted some “core members” of his Team GD flats valued at hundreds of millions of won.
It is unclear how many employees received these gifts, but they reportedly include “the managers and core staffers” who have accompanied G-Dragon for 20 years, since his early days in the industry, according to the news portal 163.com.
“My philosophy is: my treatment comes second – my people’s homes come first,” the K-pop icon once stated to the media.
G-Dragon earned more than 65 billion won (US$44 million) from his agency, Galaxy Corporation, last year, the report indicated.
He owns a building valued at 8.8 billion won in Seoul, along with several top-tier luxury mansions, bringing his total real estate portfolio to around 56 billion won.
G-Dragon is well-known for his generosity towards his staff. Their compensation includes salaries that are double the industry average, as well as extravagant gifts like gold bars, diamonds and watches that G-Dragon periodically distributes to them.
Additionally, he also gifts gold jewellery to female employees who become pregnant.
On one occasion, G-Dragon gifted each dancer on his world tour a necklace valued at 1.65 million won (US$1,120).
The star also enjoys immense popularity in mainland China, boasting 16 million followers on a leading social media platform.
He is the only K-pop solo artist whose album sales in China exceed one million copies.
Internet users were captivated by the news of G-Dragon’s gift of flats.
“GD is always amazing. We love GD,” one person commented.
“Are you still hiring? How does one get hired?” asked another.
“I truly admire him for his generosity and sincerity towards his team members,” said a third person.
Stars giving gifts to their staff often trend on social media.
In December 2024, American singer Taylor Swift awarded an impressive US$197 million in bonuses to her Eras Tour crew at the conclusion of her record-breaking tour, with some members visibly moved. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
