Lim Young-woong Dethrones BTS as Melon's Most-Streamed Artist Ever

Trot singer Lim Young-woong has surpassed BTS to become the most-streamed artist in Melon history, reaching 13.5 billion cumulative streams on March 11, 2026.

Pak

March 13, 2026

#K-Pop#BTS#Trot#Lim Young-woong#Melon#Streaming Records

On March 11, 2026, trot singer Lim Young-woong (임영웅) officially became the most-streamed artist in Melon history, surpassing global K-pop phenomenon BTS with 13.5 billion cumulative streams. The milestone marks a seismic shift in Korean music consumption and confirms what domestic audiences have known for years: in Korea, Lim Young-woong is untouchable.

Breaking Down the Numbers

According to Melon data, Lim crossed the 13.5 billion threshold at 9 a.m. on March 11. BTS had held the top position with approximately 13.48 billion streams for over a decade. That a solo trot singer could overtake a seven-member group with one of the most devoted global fanbases in music history speaks to the sheer consistency of Lim's domestic streaming power.

The achievement builds on his February entry into Melon's "Dia Club," an exclusive tier for artists surpassing 10 billion streams. His signature track "Beautiful Than Heaven" alone crossed 200 million streams on March 7, and his second full-length album "IM HERO 2" has accumulated over 900 million streams since its August 2025 release.

The "Woong Morning" Phenomenon

Industry analysts attribute Lim's streaming dominance to what fans call "Woong Morning." His loyal fanbase, known as "Hero Generation," streams his music every morning without fail, creating a consistent daily chart presence that compounds over time. Unlike the explosive but variable streaming patterns typical of K-pop comebacks, Lim's numbers grow steadily, day after day, month after month.

This multi-generational appeal sets him apart. While BTS commands a younger, internationally-distributed ARMY, Lim's audience spans every demographic in Korea, from teenagers to grandparents. His music resonates across age groups in a way that pure idol pop rarely achieves.

From TV Audition to Streaming King

Lim Young-woong's rise began with his 2020 victory on TV Chosun's "Mr. Trot," a competition show that revitalized public interest in trot music. Since then, he's become a one-man institution: the first trot singer to receive YouTube's Gold Play Button, a consistent chart-topper, and now the most-streamed artist on Korea's largest music platform.

Reacting to the milestone through his official fan cafe, Lim said: "I still can't believe the number 13.5 billion. All of this was possible only because of the hero's family. Thank you so deeply for your hot love that I can't express in words."

What This Means for Korean Music

The record highlights a crucial divide between domestic and global music consumption. While K-pop groups dominate international streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, Melon's charts reflect what Koreans actually listen to at home. Trot's continued relevance, particularly through artists like Lim, proves that global export success doesn't always translate to domestic supremacy.

Kakao Entertainment, which operates Melon, has seen trot content consistently outperform expectations on the platform. Lim's achievement will likely accelerate investment in the genre.

What's Next

Lim will celebrate the milestone with fans at his upcoming solo concert "IM HERO - THE STADIUM 2" at Goyang Stadium in September 2026. If his current trajectory holds, the 13.5 billion figure is just another checkpoint on the way to streaming numbers no Korean artist has ever approached.

Fans Also Ask

How many streams does Lim Young-woong have on Melon?

As of March 11, 2026, Lim Young-woong has accumulated 13.5 billion cumulative streams on Melon, officially making him the platform's most-streamed artist in history. He surpassed BTS, who previously held the record at approximately 13.48 billion streams. Lim reached this milestone at 9 a.m. and had already been recognized with Melon's exclusive 'Dia Club' distinction for artists surpassing 10 billion streams in February 2026.

Did Lim Young-woong surpass BTS on Melon?

Yes. On March 11, 2026, Lim Young-woong officially became Melon's most-streamed artist ever, surpassing BTS's approximately 13.48 billion streams with his 13.5 billion total. BTS had held the top position for over a decade. It is a remarkable achievement given that BTS is a seven-member global K-pop group with one of the most dedicated fanbases in music history, while Lim is a solo trot artist whose appeal is almost entirely domestic.

What genre of music does Lim Young-woong sing?

Lim Young-woong is primarily a trot singer, a traditional Korean popular music genre that blends Korean folk melodies with Japanese enka influences and Western pop structures. He rose to fame after winning TV Chosun's competition series 'Mr. Trot' in March 2020, which sparked renewed national interest in trot among younger audiences. His broad multi-generational appeal, from teenagers to grandparents, is rare even within the genre.

When is Lim Young-woong's next concert?

Lim Young-woong's next major concert is 'IM HERO - THE STADIUM 2' at Goyang Stadium in September 2026. This follows his 2026 national tour 'IM HERO,' which concluded in Busan at BEXCO from February 6-8, 2026. The stadium show marks the second installment of his IM HERO stadium concert series, which has drawn over 252,000 fans across its national tour run.

Is Lim Young-woong more popular than BTS in Korea?

On Melon, Korea's largest streaming platform, Lim Young-woong is now the most-streamed artist in history with 13.5 billion cumulative streams, surpassing BTS. However, BTS maintains far greater global reach, dominating Spotify, Apple Music, and the Billboard Hot 100 internationally. The two artists operate in distinct spheres: Lim is the undisputed king of domestic Korean streaming, while BTS remains the global standard-bearer for K-pop.