PewDiePie (Image via Getty)
Key Financial Facts About PewDiePie
PewDiePie’s financial success extends beyond just his YouTube channel. As one of the highest-paid YouTubers globally, he typically earns between $15 million and $20 million annually. Since 2013, it is estimated that he has made over $73 million in pre-tax earnings. His YouTube career has enabled him to charge astronomical amounts for video sponsorships. A single video sponsorship with PewDiePie can cost over $450,000. These numbers reflect his significant influence within the digital content space.
In 2013, CelebrityNetWorth revealed that PewDiePie earned an estimated $12 million, making him the highest-paid YouTuber at the time. In 2014, his earnings increased to $14 million. However, his earnings fluctuated slightly in subsequent years, making $9 million in 2015, $15 million in 2016, $12 million in 2017, and $15.5 million in 2018. In 2019, PewDiePie’s earnings dipped slightly to $13 million, but he remains one of the wealthiest figures in the digital space. It’s been confirmed in interviews that his net worth far exceeds $20 million.
PewDiePie’s Early Life and Education
PewDiePie was born on October 24, 1989, in Gothenburg, Sweden, to Lotta Kristine Johanna and Ulf Christian Kjellberg. His father was a corporate executive, while his mother held a notable position as a Chief Information Officer. He has an older sister, Fanny. Felix’s early years were marked by a love for video games, even skipping school to play them. He completed his high school education at Göteborgs Högre Samskola.
Initially, Felix had his sights set on pursuing a degree in Industrial Economics and Technology Management at Chalmers University of Technology. However, he soon grew disinterested in the subjects, leading him to drop out. Contrary to popular belief, Felix did not drop out to focus on YouTube; rather, he was simply dissatisfied with his academic studies. Despite his academic disengagement, Felix nurtured his passion for Photoshop and video games. To fund his new computer, he began selling Photoshop designs, which marked the beginning of his journey into the digital world.
PewDiePie (Image via Getty)
PewDiePie’s YouTube Beginnings
Felix started his YouTube career on December 19, 2006, under the name “Pewdie.” He chose the name “pew” as a nod to the sound of a laser. His early content consisted of gaming videos, particularly centered around Call of Duty, along with occasional vlogs. After forgetting or losing the password to his original channel, Felix created a new one, “PewDiePie,” on April 29, 2010. On this new channel, he focused on a broader range of content, including Minecraft, Call of Duty, and various horror games. His gaming videos featured him showcasing his best in-game moments and providing humorous commentary, quickly gaining a fanbase.
PewDiePie’s Rapid Success and Expansion
Return to Streaming and Recent Ventures
After years of inactivity, PewDiePie made a surprising return to Twitch in March 2023, after signing an exclusive deal with YouTube in 2020 for streaming purposes. He launched a new concept called “PewDiePie Infinity,” where he broadcasted an endless loop of his past streams and videos, calling it an “infinite money glitch in real life.” This creative approach allowed him to engage with his followers once again. As of now, his Twitch channel has 1.5 million followers.
PewDiePie (Image via Getty)
PewDiePie’s Controversies
PewDiePie’s career has not been without controversy. In February 2017, he faced criticism and backlash after it was discovered that some of his videos included antisemitic references. In one of his videos, he paid two individuals on the Fiverr platform to hold up a sign reading “Death to all Jews,” which was later interpreted as a tasteless attempt at satire. Despite the backlash, PewDiePie defended his actions, claiming the intent was to demonstrate how some people would go to extreme lengths for money.
K-pop survival shows have transformed the idol-making process, millions of fans worldwide. Produced by entertainment giants like Mnet, these competition programs pit trainees from various companies against each other, with viewers voting to decide the final debut lineup. While undeniably popular, survival shows face harsh criticism for their questionable practices and ethical concerns.
Survival shows like Mnet’s Produce 101 series have launched successful groups such as I.O.I, Wanna One, and IZ*ONE. Yet, they’ve also been marred by scandals, including the revelation of vote manipulation during multiple seasons. The controversy saw producers sentenced to prison, casting doubt on the integrity of these programs. Despite these setbacks, Mnet has continued producing shows, recently debuting groups like Kep1er and ZEROBASEONE while vowing to prevent future vote tampering.
A Double-Edged Sword for Trainees
Road To Kingdom
One of the most notorious issues in survival shows is “evil editing.” Producers selectively cut and rearrange footage to create drama, often portraying contestants unfairly. For example, Girls Planet 999 trainee Fu Yaning was manipulated into dissing a fellow contestant, only to be villainized by fans. In addition, unequal screen time heavily skews viewer perception, with foreign trainees often receiving far less exposure than their Korean counterparts, diminishing their chances of debuting.
The disparity between Korean and non-Korean trainees is stark. In Boys Planet, 63.4% of those eliminated in the first round were non-Koreans, with only two making it to the debut lineup of ZEROBASEONE. Zhang Hao, the group’s center, became the first non-Korean winner of a survival show. Such statistics highlight the systemic bias against foreign trainees, limiting their opportunities despite their talents.
Survival shows demand grueling effort from trainees, often pushing them to their limits. Contestants have reported extreme working conditions, such as filming for 40 hours straight without rest. Many participants are minors, raising concerns about adherence to child labor laws. The emotionally taxing environment further exacerbates the challenges, with trainees vying for a slim chance at debuting.
MixNine (2017 – 2018)
Despite their flaws, survival shows thrive because of fan devotion. Viewers are drawn to the trainees’ dreams and feel compelled to support them, even when aware of the exploitation behind the scenes. As long as fans continue to invest emotionally and financially, survival shows will remain a staple of the K-pop industry.
