Luhan and 4 other K-pop and K-drama stars who shine in China
Beijing-born Luhan – once a member of boy band EXO – is among a growing number of K-pop and K-drama singers and actors who enjoy mainland success
Interest in K-pop, K-drama and K-culture has been growing rapidly over the past few years, with BTS – the hugely successful boy band – riding on the crest of the “Korean wave”, or hallyu, the term for Korean entertainment and culture’s global popularity.
BTS’ albums have topped the charts abroad, with the seven-member group, featured on the cover of Time magazine, adding new concert dates to its extended sold-out 11-month world tour, in the US, Brazil, France, Britain and Japan – where it ends this weekend – to meet demand.
A number of other K-pop celebrities have been able to widen their appeal abroad, too – particularly in China.
Check out five stars who have made it big on the Chinese mainland:
Luhan (former EXO member)
Born and raised in Beijing, Luhan, a former member of the popular South Korean-Chinese boy band EXO, has enjoyed huge success as a singer and actor in his home country.
In 2017, Luhan, 29, whose real name is Lu Han, was ranked the “‘second highest earning celebrity in China”, according to figures from Chinese media outlet EToday. He ranked only behind leading Chinese actress Fan Bingbing.
Luhan was reported to have earned 181.6 million yuan (US$26.4 million), according to EToday figures.
Luhan was reported to have earned 181.6 million yuan (US$26.4 million)