ArtistMulgogi Music
Lim Young-woong
Lim Young-woong (임영웅, born June 16, 1991) is the central figure of South Korea's trot revival. Born in Pocheon, he signed with Mulgogi Music in 2016 and debuted with the single "Hate You."
In 2020, Lim beat 17,000 applicants to win Mr. Trot on TV CHOSUN. His single "My Starry Love" (2021) became his first number-one on the Gaon Digital Chart. That same year, his debut studio album IM HERO (2022) sold over one million copies. He has scored four Gaon Digital Chart number-ones across his discography, and "My Starry Love" also entered the UK Official Chart, a rare crossover for a trot artist.
By 2024, Lim was headlining Seoul World Cup Stadium, joining an elite tier of Korean artists including Psy, BIGBANG, and SEVENTEEN. His two-night run drew 100,000 fans. The concert was adapted into the documentary film IM HERO THE STADIUM, streaming on Netflix.
On August 29, 2025, he released IM HERO 2, his second full-length album, with title track "Eternal Moment." The album won six crowns on the Circle Chart and debuted at number one. His YouTube channel has surpassed 2.9 billion views and he was the first trot artist to receive YouTube's Gold Play Button. His fanbase, Hero Generation (영웅시대), rivals any K-pop fandom in spending power and loyalty.
2 articles10 creditsDebut: August 8, 2016South Korean
Gallery
Discography
2025
IM HERO 2Album
Main ArtistLim Young-woong
2023
Do or DieSingle
Main ArtistLim Young-woong
2023
Grains of SandSingle
Main ArtistLim Young-woong
2022
IM HEROAlbum
Main ArtistLim Young-woong
2022
Our Blues, Our LifeSingle
Main ArtistLim Young-woong
2021
My Starry LoveSingle
Main ArtistLim Young-woong
2020
Trust in MeSingle
Main ArtistLim Young-woong
2018
Newness of TrotAlbum
Main ArtistLim Young-woong
2016
Hate YouSingle
Main ArtistLim Young-woong
Filmography
2024
IM HERO THE STADIUMFilm
Fans Also Ask
How did Lim Young-woong become famous?
Lim Young-woong rose to national fame after winning Mr. Trot on TV CHOSUN in 2020, beating over 17,000 applicants. His emotional performances and powerful voice transcended the trot genre's traditional audience, attracting fans of all ages. He was virtually unknown before the show; within months, he was selling out arenas.
What is Lim Young-woong's fandom name?
Lim Young-woong's fandom is called Hero Generation (영웅시대, Yeongung Sidae). The fanbase is one of the most organized and high-spending in Korean music, matching idol fandoms in streaming campaigns, chart support, and concert attendance. Hero Generation regularly tops donation charts at public broadcast music shows.
What was Lim Young-woong's debut single?
Lim Young-woong debuted on August 8, 2016 with the digital single 'Hate You' (미워요) under Mulgogi Music. He had signed with the label after impressing at a regional singing contest in his hometown of Pocheon, performing a trot standard that revealed his natural affinity for the genre.
What records has Lim Young-woong set as a trot artist?
Lim Young-woong was the first trot artist to receive YouTube's Gold Play Button for one million subscribers. His channel has surpassed 2.9 billion total views. He has scored four Gaon Digital Chart number-ones across his career, including 'My Starry Love' (2021), which also charted in the UK. His debut album IM HERO (2022) sold over one million copies.
Has Lim Young-woong performed at major concert venues?
Yes. In 2024, Lim Young-woong headlined Seoul World Cup Stadium over two nights, drawing a combined 100,000 fans. He joined an elite tier of Korean artists, including Psy, BIGBANG, and SEVENTEEN, who have performed at the stadium. The concerts were adapted into the Netflix documentary IM HERO THE STADIUM.
Latest Articles
Music3 min read
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.
PakMarch 13, 2026
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Music6 min read
Before K-Pop, There Was Trot: How AI Is Resurrecting Korea's OG Pop Genre
Korea's oldest pop genre is trending again, powered by AI remixes of K-pop hits and a new generation of performers like Lim Young-woong who can fill stadiums.
PakFebruary 25, 2026
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