Veteran entertainer Shim Hyung-Rae recently opened up about his massive earnings from iconic projects, including a staggering 200 million won appearance fee for the hit film Younggu and Dangchili. The revelation came during his appearance on MBN’s Kim Joo-ho’s Day and Night, where he detailed a career filled with high-paying commercials and films.
Record-Breaking Commercial and Film Portfolio
Shim Hyung-Rae explained that he completed more than 100 commercial shoots, along with starring roles and productions across 118 films. He described himself as having turned into a “money-eating hippo” during the peak individual commercial era, where he earned the highest sums from image-building, appearance, and presentation ads.
The ‘Younggu and Dangchili’ Deal and Missed Opportunities
Shim recounted performing a presentation for Younggu and Dangchili alongside a director. He received both appearance fees and script compensation, totaling around 200 million won at the time. “The other director got about 150 million won for the appearance fee, but I received 200 million won,” Shim stated. He noted that apartments cost just 5 million won per unit back then, making his payday equivalent to 40 properties.
Host Kim Joo-ho remarked, “The opportunities I missed are worth at least 1 billion won now—minimum 100 million won.” Shim agreed, highlighting how the production company behind Younggu and Dangchili emerged from that pivotal moment. It became Korea’s top box office hit in 1989.
In a related story, Shim negotiated for a 500,000 won raise on the World Mae series but passed when refused. “They used a junior comedian instead,” he said. “That’s just business, so Younggu and Dangchili went to another director.” Despite the series exceeding expectations after a quick two-week production, Shim stood firm on his terms.
Picky Approach in the Film Industry
Shim emphasized his selective strategy in movies, prioritizing lucrative deals amid low offers. “I drew 160 million viewers but turned down roles that didn’t pay well,” he shared. “Every deal had to make sense.” This approach led him to produce and direct, marking a successful shift in his career.
