Kwon Hyuk-bin’s net worth over time
Only dates with a published estimate are shown. Nothing is filled in between. Tap or hover a bar to see the source.
See the numbers as a table
| Date | Estimate | Source |
| 2019 | $4.1 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2019 |
| 2020 | $2.9 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2020 |
| 2021 | $6.7 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2021 |
| 2022 | $6.8 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2022 |
| 2023 | $5.1 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2023 |
| 2024 | $3.5 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2024 |
| 2025 | $2.6 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2025 |
| 2026 | $3.3 billion | Forbes World's Billionaires List 2026 |
| Oct 2026 | $3.6 billion | Forbes Real-Time Billionaires · Forbes real-time estimate |
Where the money comes from
These are the main sources of wealth named in the reporting we cite. No published source breaks the total into exact amounts, so we do not show percentages.
Kwon Hyuk-bin’s fortune in real-life terms
Based on the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires estimate above. Median full-time U.S. pay is $65,416 a year ($1,258 a week, BLS, Q2 2026), before taxes. Typical (median) U.S. family net worth is $216,100 (Federal Reserve, 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances).
How do you compare to Kwon Hyuk-bin? New
Type your yearly income and see how you stack up. It runs in your browser: nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.
Kwon Hyuk-bin has an estimated net worth of $3.6 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (figures as of October 20, 2026). That is down from a peak of $6.8 billion.
Kwon Hyuk-bin is a South Korean businessman, investor, and philanthropist best known for founding Smilegate in 2002. The company grew into one of South Korea’s most successful game makers and became known for titles including Crossfire and Lost Ark. Before that, he started an education software business that failed. While in college, he was chosen for Samsung’s student software program, then later turned down a software engineering job there to keep building games.
His wealth comes from online games, especially the growth of Smilegate after a 2008 partnership with Tencent helped the company expand in China. Crossfire became its biggest hit and is described as the most popular first-person shooter game in history. Kwon also backs education and entrepreneurship through several foundations. Forbes put his net worth at $3.6 billion on its real-time billionaires tracker as of October 20, 2026.
How Kwon Hyuk-bin built his fortune
Kwon made his money in online games. After his first business, an education software startup called 4Csof, did not work out, he stayed focused on software and game development. He founded Smilegate in 2002, and the company became a major force in South Korea’s game business. Its lineup includes Crossfire and Lost Ark, with Crossfire standing out as the title that turned Smilegate into a global name.
A key step came in 2008, when Smilegate partnered with Tencent to reach the Chinese market. That deal helped the company release Crossfire to a much bigger audience. Forbes places him in Media & Entertainment, and his fortune is tied to the success of Smilegate’s games. Outside business, he runs foundations including Hope Studio, Orange Planet Entrepreneurship Foundation, and Future Lab, and he has supported schools in China and Vietnam.
Forbes net worth updates
Forbes has tracked big moves in Kwon’s wealth over time. It estimated his fortune at $4.1 billion in 2019, then $2.9 billion in 2020. The next year, Forbes raised that estimate to $6.7 billion. In 2022, Forbes listed him at $6.8 billion. Those swings show how closely his wealth follows the performance and value tied to Smilegate and its gaming business.
The estimate later moved lower before turning up again. Forbes listed him at $5.1 billion in 2023, $3.5 billion in 2024, and $2.6 billion in 2025. In 2026, Forbes put him at $3.3 billion on its annual list, then at $3.6 billion on its real-time tracker in October 2026. Because his money is tied to online games, changes in that business can quickly affect the estimate.
Career and money timeline
- 2002
Kwon founded Smilegate.
- 2008
Smilegate partnered with Tencent and expanded in China with Crossfire.
- 2019
Forbes included him on its World's Billionaires List.
- 2025
Forbes ranked him 13th richest in South Korea.
- 2026
Forbes tracked his wealth on both its annual list and real-time tracker.
Kwon Hyuk-bin net worth FAQ
What is Kwon Hyuk-bin's net worth?
Kwon Hyuk-bin's net worth is an estimated $3.6 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (October 20, 2026). It is an estimate, not an official figure.
How did Kwon Hyuk-bin get so rich?
The main sources named in the reporting we cite are: Online games.
Is Kwon Hyuk-bin a billionaire?
Yes. Forbes Real-Time Billionaires estimates Kwon Hyuk-bin is worth $3.6 billion.
How has Kwon Hyuk-bin's net worth changed?
The earliest published estimate we track is $4.1 billion (2019, Forbes World's Billionaires List 2019). The latest is $3.6 billion (October 20, 2026).
What company made Kwon Hyuk-bin rich?
Smilegate is the main source of his wealth. He founded it in 2002, and its game business, especially Crossfire, built his fortune.
Why is Crossfire important to his story?
Crossfire was Smilegate’s biggest breakout hit. After the 2008 Tencent partnership, it helped the company reach a much larger audience in China.
Sources
- Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (October 20, 2026)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2019, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (March 5, 2019)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2020, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (April 8, 2020)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2021, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (April 6, 2021)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2022, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (April 5, 2022)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2023, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (April 4, 2023)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2024, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (April 2, 2024)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2025, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (April 2025)
- Forbes World's Billionaires List 2026, Kwon Hyuk-bin profile (March 10, 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Usual Weekly Earnings (Q2 2026) (July 2026)
- Federal Reserve, 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances (median family net worth, Table 4) (October 2026)
- Background facts: Wikipedia, Kwon Hyuk-bin (accessed October 23, 2026). Used for career facts only, never for figures.
Every number on this page is an estimate published by the source named next to it. We never fill in years with our own guesses. How we handle estimates.