Seoul: South Korean singer Lim Young Woong has achieved a major milestone in the country’s music industry by becoming the most streamed artist in the history of the popular streaming platform MelOn. The singer has recorded more than 13.50 billion streams on the platform, surpassing the previous record held by the globally recognized K pop group BTS.
The achievement highlights the growing popularity of Lim Young Woong among Korean music listeners and reflects his strong presence across digital music platforms. MelOn is one of South Korea’s largest music streaming services and has played a significant role in shaping the country’s music charts and digital music consumption trends.
Lim Young Woong first gained widespread recognition after winning the television singing competition Mr Trot in 2020. The program focused on the trot genre, a traditional Korean style of music known for its emotional melodies and storytelling lyrics. His victory on the show introduced him to a nationwide audience and marked the beginning of a highly successful music career.
Following his win on Mr Trot, Lim Young Woong released several popular songs that quickly gained attention on streaming platforms and music charts. His music combines elements of traditional trot with modern ballad influences, which has helped him attract a wide audience that includes both older listeners and younger fans.
Over the past few years Lim Young Woong has consistently ranked among the most popular artists in South Korea. His songs frequently appear on digital music charts and receive millions of streams shortly after their release. His concerts and fan meetings have also drawn large audiences, reflecting his strong fan base across the country.
Industry analysts note that his record on MelOn demonstrates the continuing appeal of trot music in South Korea. While K pop groups such as BTS have achieved massive global success, domestic music charts often reflect a diverse range of genres including ballads, trot and acoustic music.
The previous streaming record on MelOn was held by BTS, one of the most successful K pop groups in the world. The group has achieved numerous global records in music streaming, album sales and concert attendance. However Lim Young Woong’s consistent popularity among domestic listeners has now allowed him to surpass the group’s cumulative streaming numbers on the platform.
