There are many ways for idols to promote their music these days, but weekly music shows like M Countdown, Music Bank, and Inkigayo are still indispensable. Music shows have been iconic stages for idols since the early days of K-pop.

While other music events have to spend huge sums of money to get idols to appear, broadcasting companies like Mnet, MBC, and KBS only need to sit down and "check" a long list of artists. What's more remarkable is that the fees they pay idols to perform on music shows are very low.

This revelation from a former reporter ѕнσ¢кed fans:

For K-pop stars, performing new songs on weekly music shows is a core part of their promotional campaign. These appearances allow idols to introduce their latest songs and connect with fans in a "mainstream" way. Although streaming platform is popular today, TV music show is still considered more important, especially among кσяєαn fans.

Not only that, winning trophies on major music shows is a sign that au∂ιєnces are buying albums, listening to music, and watching their MVs a lot. Therefore, the future of some idol groups even depends on whether they win trophies for their newly released songs on music shows. There are many cases where groups disband right after their promotions end without winning.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the topic of K-pop artists appearing on music shows, Lee Jin Ho - a reporter turned YouTuber revealed some surprising details about the financial aspect. Accordingly, the fees that idols receive when performing on these stages are based on a number of factors, of which their level of popularity is the most important factor.

According to Lee Jin Ho, idols' salaries on music shows are usually quite low, especially for less popular groups. "If they aren’t a famous idol, they don’t receive more than ₩500,000 KRW (about $370 USD). Only ultra-popular stars receive ₩500,000 KRW (about $370 USD). Normal idols only receive 100,000 KRW (on major networks). Mnet’s M-Countdown pays ₩50,000 KRW (about $37.00 USD) and asks for tax considerations", he said.

This means that most K-pop idols will only receive a salary equivalent to an average day's salary of a part-time student in кσяєα. Meanwhile, only top-notch K-pop idols can receive a maximum salary of 500,000 won. BTS, in particular, is reported to receive the highest pay among idols performing on music shows. However, it wasn’t until around 2019-2020, when the group became globally famous, that they received this level of treatment.

The fees that broadcasting companies pay idols are actually little when compared to the amount of money idols spend when appearing on music shows. These appearances come with many costs, including the outfits, staff, and other aspects of the performance. In particular, recording usually takes a long time, and the whole process, from getting hair and makeup done to the actual performance, can take over 12 hours

Lee Jin Ho further explained the financial burden on idol groups. He mentioned that: "It costs popular groups around ₩60.0 million KRW (about $44,400 USD). Since they promote a new album for two weeks, outfits will cost them ₩120 million KRW (about $88,900 USD) for two weeks". Other idol groups, despite spending less, still face significant expenses. "Other idol groups spend around ₩30.0 million KRW (about $22,200 USD) in preparation", he added.

Despite the cost issue, K-pop idols still flock to perform on music shows because of the attention they receive. Although the fee does not cover their expenses, the long-term benefits outweigh the immediate financial losses. The popularity gained from these performances can help them attract new fans and secure future investments.

In fact, many K-pop groups have "changed their career " from the moment they win their first music trophy. BTS is also a prime example, having risen from their first win on SBS MTV The Show with I Need U.

Furthermore, music shows provide idols with the opportunity to interact directly with their fans. Many idols hold fan meetings alongside their performances, providing a valuable opportunity to connect with their au∂ιєnce and solidify their fan base.

In short, while the financial returns from music shows may seem modest, the exposure and fan engagement they bring is invaluable. Weekly appearances on music shows have a lasting impact on an idol’s career, making it a worthwhile investment despite the costs involved.