An Se-young’s Net Worth & Earnings (As of Dec 2025)

If you walked into a badminton stadium anywhere in the world in 2025, one name would likely be on everyone’s lips: An Se-young. The 23-year-old phenom from Gwangju hasn’t just rewritten the record books with her racket; she has fundamentally changed the financial landscape for professional badminton players in South Korea.

As we close out 2025, An Se-young stands tall not just as the World No. 1, but as a multi-millionaire athlete who fought the system—and won.

From Prodigy to Payday

For years, badminton fans knew An Se-young as the “Genius Girl” with the unbreakable defense. We watched her dive, roll, and outlast opponents with a grit that seemed almost superhuman. But for a long time, her bank account didn’t quite reflect her dominance.

In the world of professional sports, badminton has often lagged behind giants like tennis or golf in terms of prize money. For Korean players, the ceiling was even lower due to strict association rules that capped salaries and restricted personal sponsorships. An Se-young, however, is not one to settle for limits.

After her gold medal triumph in Paris (2024), she famously voiced her frustrations with the system. It was a brave smash at the status quo. Fast forward to December 2025, and that smash has turned into a gold mine.

Breaking the Billion Won Barrier

The 2025 season has been nothing short of magical. With over 10 tournament titles under her belt, including victories at the All England and Indonesia Open, An became the first Korean player ever to earn over 1 billion South Korean Won (roughly $750,000 USD) in prize money in a single season.

To put that in perspective, before 2025, earning even half a million dollars in a year was considered a massive feat in badminton. An Se-young didn’t just cross the line; she sprinted past it. Her career prize money now sits comfortably above $2.2 million USD.

“I don’t play for the money, I play to be the best,” An told reporters earlier this year. “But it is nice to see the sport growing and players being rewarded for our sweat and tears.”

The Deal That Changed Everything

While her prize money is impressive, the real game-changer happened off the court. In June 2025, the badminton world was buzzed with news that An Se-young had signed a massive endorsement deal with equipment giant Yonex.

Valued at a staggering $7.2 million USD over four years, it is the largest contract ever signed by a Korean badminton player. This wasn’t just a sponsorship; it was a statement. It signaled that the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) had finally relaxed its grip, allowing its brightest star to shine globally.

With this deal alone, An earns approximately $1.8 million USD per year—more than double her entire career prize money prior to 2024. It places her in the elite tier of global sports earners, rubbing shoulders with top tennis and golf stars in Asia.

A Humble Superstar

Despite her newfound wealth, An Se-young remains refreshingly grounded. Teammates at Samsung Life Insurance describe her as the same hardworking “maknae” (youngest member) who treats them to meals and buys gifts for her coaches.

“She hasn’t bought a luxury car or a mansion yet,” a close friend revealed. “She actually enjoys buying clothes for her younger sibling more than spending on herself. Her wallet has changed, but her heart hasn’t.”

Her salary from Samsung Life Insurance also saw a bump this year. Thanks to the regulatory changes she helped instigate, the rookie salary cap was lifted. While her club salary (estimated at around $100,000) is now just a fraction of her income, it represents a symbolic victory for fair pay in Korean sports.

The Future is Golden

As An Se-young prepares for the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou next week, she is on the verge of another milestone: crossing the $1 million mark in single-season prize money. If she lifts the trophy, she will stand alone in history.

But perhaps her greatest legacy won’t be the millions in the bank or the gold medals on the shelf. It will be the path she cleared for the next generation of players. Because of her courage to speak up and her brilliance on the court, young shuttlers in Korea can now dream of a career that is not just glorious, but also lucrative.

As of 2025, An Se-young’s net worth is estimated to be hovering between $3.5 and $4 million USD. But for her fans, her value is incalculable. She is, quite simply, the queen of the court.

An Se-young Net Worth Analysis

1. Prize Money

• 2025 Season Earnings: An Se-young has had a historic 2025 season. As of late November 2025, her single-season prize money surpassed 1 billion KRW (approx. $740,000 – $760,000 USD). If she performs well at the upcoming World Tour Finals in Hangzhou (Dec 17-21, 2025), she is projected to become the first badminton player to break the $1 million USD mark in a single season.
• Career Total: Her total career prize money officially exceeds USD $2.2 million (approx. 3 billion KRW). She is one of the highest-earning female badminton players in history purely from tournament winnings.

2. Sponsorships & Endorsements

• The Landmark Yonex Deal (June 2025): The most significant boost to her net worth came in mid-2025. Following policy changes by the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) that allowed athletes to sign personal gear sponsorships, An Se-young signed a historic 4-year contract with Yonex.
  • Total Value: ~USD $7.2 Million (10 Billion KRW)
  • Annual Payout: ~USD $1.8 Million (2.5 Billion KRW per year)
  • Impact: This deal makes her the highest-paid badminton player in Korean history. Since the deal was signed in June, she has likely realized about half of the annual payout (~$900k) for the 2025 calendar year.
• Other Endorsements: She has appeared in advertisements for domestic Korean brands, though her team has been selective. Post-Olympics, her marketing value skyrocketed, leading to additional income streams outside of court performance.

3. Salary (Samsung Life Insurance & National Team)

• Club Salary: An Se-young plays for the Samsung Life Insurance badminton team.
  • Old Regulation: Previously, her salary was capped due to BKA regulations for rookie players (starting at ~50 million KRW with max 7% annual increases).
  • 2025 Adjustment: Following the “An Se-young Effect” and government audits in late 2024, salary caps were raised. Her base salary for 2025 is estimated to be in the 100 million KRW – 150 million KRW range (approx. $75,000 – $110,000 USD), significantly higher than previous years but still a small fraction compared to her sponsorship income.