Only Jeon Ji-hyun shopping for 13 billion won building? There are other stars too

It has been reported that actress Jeon Ji-hyun purchased a penthouse worth 13 billion won in cash, drawing public attention to the size of celebrities' real estate holdings.

According to the real estate industry on the 10th, Jeon Ji-hyun purchased a high-rise penthouse located in Ttukseom, Seoul. Jeon Ji-hyun owns 12/13, and her husband Choi Jun-hyuk, CEO of Alpha Asset Management, owns 1/13. In particular, it was reported that Jeon Ji-hyun paid the entire purchase price of 13 billion won in cash without a mortgage loan.

The industry estimates that the total amount of real estate owned by Jeon Ji-hyun is around 100 billion won.

In addition to Jeon Ji-hyun, celebrities who own huge real estate assets include actors Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young, singer and actor Rain and Kim Tae-hee, and actor Kwon Sang-woo.

Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young, the so-called 'Django Couple', are each famous for their active real estate investments. Jang Dong-gun purchased a 5-story building located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu for 12.6 billion won, and the current market price is estimated to be over 19 billion won. In addition, Ko So-young purchased and owns a building located in Songjeong-dong, Seongdong-gu for 3.95 billion won.

As such, the couple lives in the most expensive apartment in Cheongdam-dong in Korea. This apartment boasts a market price of 14.5 billion won. In addition, he also owned a 2.4 billion won second house measuring 400 pyeong in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do.

Rain and Kim Tae-hee are also well-versed in real estate business. The real estate industry predicts that the couple's real estate holdings alone will amount to more than 80 billion won.

In particular, Rain purchased and owns a building in Seocho-dong, Seoul for 92 billion won last year. However, it is estimated that a loan of approximately 45 billion won was received at the time of purchasing the building. According to the industry, speculation controversy arose as rumors circulated that the property was sold recently, a year after its purchase. In relation to this, Rain denied suspicions of speculation by saying, “We have never attempted to sell.” Rain and Kim Tae-hee also purchased and own a townhouse worth 2.4 billion won in Irvine, California, known as America's 8th school district.

Kwon Sang-woo also accumulated wealth through real estate. In April 2015, Kwon Sang-woo purchased two factory buildings in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu for 8 billion won and converted them into a car wash in 2019. This real estate price rose significantly thanks to favorable development in 2017, and it is said that the site was recently put up for sale for 62 billion won. If the sale is completed, a market profit of 54 billion won is expected to be generated.

In addition, Kwon Sang-woo also owns a building in Deungchon-dong, Gangseo-gu and Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, and the market value of both buildings is estimated to be at least 50 billion won. Also, in 2008, he purchased a 68th floor penthouse in Gold Coast, Australia's best resort, for 1.7 billion won.

The scale of stars' real estate transactions and investments is increasing day by day. There are some views that see this as a legitimate free economic activity, but the public sentiment is that the sense of deprivation among the common people is increasing due to the actions of enjoying enormous market profits.

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr