Lim Young-woong is making waves in South Korea’s music scene, showcasing the popularity of trot music alongside the global superstars, BTS. Despite not having as many fans as BTS, Lim has billions of streams and a successful sold-out stadium tour.
Traditionally considered music for older generations, trot combines elements of Western jazz, swing, and Japanese Enka with traditional Korean music. Young artists like Lim, who is 33 years old, are revitalizing the genre and attracting massive audiences in South Korea, especially with the help of reality television shows.
Landing a victory in the popular show “Mr Trot” in 2020, Lim’s rise to fame was meteoric. His songs have accumulated a staggering 10 billion streams on Melon, and he boasts a fan club with over 200,000 members. Lim’s stadium tours sell out within minutes, and he is currently ranked as South Korea’s most beloved singer, surpassing BTS in a recent Gallup poll.
With his recent tour generating around $22 million in ticket sales, Lim out-earns individual BTS members. His rise to fame has been dubbed the “Lim Young-woong syndrome” by veteran entertainment journalist Seo Byung-ki.
Lim’s personal story of overcoming adversity combined with his exceptional vocal talent has endeared him to the public. While he may not be well-known internationally, his music has even made its way to North Korea, where it is banned.
– Devoted Elderly Fans –Â
At a recent concert in Seoul, Lim’s tens of thousands of fans, mainly elderly, showed their support by dressing in sky blue and waving electronic wands. For many, Lim is their first celebrity obsession.
Baek Soon-ok, 87, a devoted fan, had never watched a celebrity video on YouTube or attended a concert until she discovered Lim. She praised his kindness, dedication to his family, and exceptional singing talent.
In Lim’s hometown of Pocheon city, a sky-blue cafe called “Woong’s Tree” serves as a shrine to the singer. Owner Chun Eun-kyung credits Lim with helping her through her battle with cancer and has created a space for devoted fans, known as the Hero Generation, to gather and celebrate Lim.
Trot Prodigy
While K-pop continues to dominate international music charts, trot music is experiencing a resurgence in South Korea. Young singers like Park Sung-on, inspired by Lim’s success on “Mr Trot,” are entering the market and revitalizing the genre.
Park, now considered a budding “trot genius” after his appearance on a later season of “Mr Trot,” released his debut single in March 2023. He expresses his dedication to trot music, calling it a lifelong passion.
Despite the challenges he faced to reach his current status, Park remains humble and committed to his craft.
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