Lim Young-woong Breaks 11.9 Billion Melon Streams: Korea's Trot King Redefines K-Music Success

How a 33-year-old trot singer achieved streaming numbers that rival BTS and transformed Korean music culture

While K-pop dominates global headlines, a different Korean music phenomenon is quietly breaking records at home. Lim Young-woong has achieved 11.9 billion cumulative streams on Melon, placing the trot singer in exclusive company with global superstars and proving Korean popular music extends far beyond K-pop.

As of June 2025, Lim Young-woong recorded 11.915 billion streams on Melon, adding over 100 million streams in just three weeks. At this pace, he's expected to surpass 12 billion streams by July 2025-territory only achieved by BTS in Melon's nearly 20-year history.

This achievement makes Lim only the second artist to join Melon's exclusive "Billions Diamond Club" for performers with over 10 billion streams. The accomplishment is particularly remarkable for a non-idol-based musician, demonstrating trot's unexpected digital dominance.

Lim's breakthrough came in 2020 when he won TV Chosun's "Mr. Trot" competition, defeating 17,000 applicants. Over a third of all South Korean viewers watched the finale, transforming an unknown singer into a nationwide sensation.

Born June 16, 1991, Lim initially dreamed of being a ballad singer before discovering his talent for trot. His journey from struggling artist-who debuted in 2016 with minimal success-to streaming record-holder exemplifies authentic Korean success stories.

Trot, once dismissed as music for pensioners, blends traditional Korean music with Western jazz, swing, and Japanese enka elements. Despite being the oldest Korean pop genre, Lim's 12-track album achieved remarkable success, selling over 1.1 million physical copies.

Before Lim, only EXO's Baekhyun had reached this milestone among solo artists since Kim Gun-mo in 2001. This success reflects trot's revival through younger artists and reality TV shows.

What distinguishes Lim from typical K-pop acts is his unprecedented cross-generational appeal. His fanbase "Heroic Age" includes supporters in their 50s, 60s, and 70s who actively engage with digital platforms, creating content ecosystems typically associated with younger K-pop fans.

On YouTube, fans churn out videos related to the star, including album unboxing and reaction content. His YouTube channel has 1.35 million subscribers and 1.4 billion views, with 390 million views from South Korea alone.

Lim achieved his first Gaon Digital Chart number-one with "My Starry Love" in 2021. His consistent hits including "Love Always Runs Away," "Our Blues," and "Can We Meet Again" continue maintaining upper chart positions.

Lim has maintained the #1 position in trot singer brand reputation rankings for 40 consecutive months, demonstrating sustained popularity beyond streaming numbers.

In 2022 alone, Lim donated ₩410 million (approximately $311,000 USD) to various local charities. Netflix released "Im Hero The Stadium" concert film in January 2025, reaching international audiences across Korea, US, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.

His recent OST "More Beautiful Than Heaven" achieved 3 consecutive weeks at #1 on Melon's weekly popularity awards, proving his ongoing relevance.

While K-pop still dominates exports, local data suggests trot is growing faster domestically. Inside South Korea, this trot singer is more popular than global superstars BTS, challenging assumptions about Korean cultural influence.

Music experts attribute trot's appeal to its consoling nature during difficult times, with songs resonating strongly with audiences appreciating authentic delivery of life's struggles.

Lim plans to release his second full album in 2025-his first since "IM HERO" three years ago. With his trajectory toward 12 billion streams, he's proving that authentic, culturally rooted music can achieve unprecedented digital success.

The 11.9 billion streaming milestone represents more than impressive numbers-it's evidence that the Korean Wave encompasses diverse musical traditions finding new life through digital platforms and dedicated cross-generational fandoms. As Korea's cultural exports evolve, Lim Young-woong demonstrates that sometimes the most profound impact begins at home before reaching the world.