Magician Yoo Ho-jin reveals $12,000 weekly salary and luxury perks

Magician Yoo Ho-jin has revealed the extraordinary compensation and perks he received while performing with a world-class magic team. He disclosed that his weekly salary was $12,000—not $20,000—which amounts to approximately 20 million won, highlighting the elite status of the world-class magician.

The MBC variety show 'Radio Star' aired on the 12th as a 'Forget the Heat~ Let It Go' special featuring Hong Hyun Hee, Kim Moon-jeong, Lee Chang-ho, and Yoo. One of the most eye-catching figures of the episode was undoubtedly Yoo.

Yoo is the first Asian magician to win the Grand Prix at the FISM World Championship of Magic. Since then, he joined the world-renowned magic performance brand 'The Illusionist' and currently tours the global stage as the leader of the magic team 'Hundred Fingers.'

While his career alone is impressive, the lifestyle revealed during his global tours was even more glamorous. According to Yoo, while working with a top-tier global magic team, a dedicated chef was assigned for the tour, he stayed in 5-star hotels, and he was even provided with a tour bus equipped with beds and a bar.

The most surprising detail, however, was the pay. Yoo revealed that he received $12,000 per week, roughly 20 million won. At that rate, if those conditions were maintained for a full year, his annual income would far exceed 1 billion won.

Of course, this does not represent the typical income of a magician, but rather the exceptional conditions provided during a tour with a world-class performance team. It serves as proof of the unique position Yoo holds in the global magic community.

Yoo's global recognition is also significant in the United States. He shared anecdotes of people honking their car horns upon recognizing him on the street, and children at Universal Studios asking him to perform magic.

His journey continues as he recently advanced to the live shows of 'America's Got Talent' after receiving a Golden Buzzer. He stated that he is preparing for a live broadcast in August and is scheduled to reach the finals in September. The prize money for the winner is reported to be approximately 1.5 billion won.

However, behind his global success, there have been heart-stopping moments.

During a performance in Dubai, while taking a photo with local royalty, Yoo attempted to place his hand on a princess's shoulder, unaware of the local cultural nuances. This led to a tense moment where surrounding bodyguards immediately pointed guns at him. As Yoo described the situation, he filled the studio with both tension and laughter.

His story is compelling not just because of the '20 million won weekly salary,' but because he has elevated magic—a genre he has known since childhood—to the center of the global performance industry, captivating audiences by transcending language and national barriers.

During the broadcast, Yoo proved his reputation was more than just a list of credentials by performing a high-quality magic show alongside the members of Hundred Fingers. Even the cast members found it difficult to look away from the sophisticated sleight of hand and unexpected performances.

Ultimately, the $12,000 weekly salary, dedicated chef, 5-star hotels, and luxury tour bus are just parts of a glamorous success story. The truly remarkable fact is that a single Korean magician was able to command such treatment on the world stage through his skill alone.