3-year-old Korean triplets rake in $4.26 million from endorsements alone

How much are celebrity endorsements worth? For South Korea's Song triplets, it is a whopping $4.26 million.

The nation's most adored triplets - Daehan, Minguk and Manse - have been voted by netizens as the fifth most popular celebrities in South Korean advertising. According to Apple Daily, the triplets raked in $4.26 million this year by appearing in a total of 11 advertisements for a wide variety of products ranging from fruit juice to electronics.

At just three years old, the adorable triplets have gained a massive following both in their home country and abroad, thanks to KBS reality programme 'The Return of Superman', which they star in alongside their dad, actor Song Il-kook.

The show features Korean celebrity dads who have to spend 56 hours alone with their children. Other children who have found enormous fame from the series include MMA fighter Choo Sung-hoon's daughter Sa-rang and comedian Lee Hwi-jae's twin boys Seo-eon and Seo-jun.

Despite being so popular, the Song triplets' average fee of $387,500 per commercial is still a far cry from 'My Love from the Star' actress Jun Ji-hyun's $1.29 million average fee. 34-year-old Jun was ranked the most popular Korean celebrity for endorsements, and currently appears in regional TV commercials for Japanese skincare brand Hada Labo.

Coming in second is singer Suzy, a member of K-pop band Miss A. Although she is only 21 years old, the sexy starlet has many fans across Asia, and charges an estimated $900,000 per endorsement. Her current boyfriend, actor Lee Min-ho, was not included in the top 5 list.

Actor Cha Seung-won, 45, is said to be third most popular, and charges around $770,000 per endorsement. At fourth place are figure skater Kim Yuna, 25, and boyish actor Kim Soo-hyun, 27, who earn an average of $1.55 million and $1.29 million per endorsement deal. Last year, Kim, who starred alongside Jun in 'My Love from the Star', reportedly set a record for having 35 product endorsements at one time.

Tying with the Song triplets at fifth place is actor Hyun Bin, 33, who is best known for leading roles in 'My Name is Kim San Soon' and 'Secret Garden'. Hyun reportedly earns an average of $900,000 per endorsement deal.

ljessica@sph.com.sg