South Korea’s music streaming landscape has just witnessed a major milestone. Singer Lim Young-Woong, one of the most beloved voices in Korean trot and ballad music, has officially become the most-streamed artist in the history of the MelOn platform.
With an astonishing 13.50 billion total streams, the singer has overtaken global K-pop powerhouse BTS, who previously held the record with around 13.48 billion streams. The achievement highlights not only Lim’s massive fan base but also the enduring strength of domestic Korean audiences, who continue to support artists across genres beyond mainstream K-pop.
A Historic Moment on South Korea’s Biggest Music Platform
MelOn remains one of South Korea’s most influential music streaming services, often reflecting the listening habits of the country’s core music audience. For years, BTS dominated the platform with billions of streams accumulated through their massive catalog of global hits.
However, Lim Young-Woong’s steady rise has quietly reshaped the charts. Known for his emotional vocals and heartfelt storytelling, the singer has built a fiercely loyal fan base that consistently streams his music across the platform.
Crossing the 13.50 billion stream mark is a major achievement, especially considering the global dominance BTS has maintained for years. Lim’s success demonstrates how powerful domestic popularity can be when supported by a dedicated audience.
From Unknown Singer to National Star
Born on June 16, 1991, Lim Young-Woong entered the music industry in 2016 after signing with Mulgogi Music. His debut single, Hate You, introduced him to the industry, but the early years of his career remained relatively quiet.
Everything changed in 2020 when he participated in the Korean television music competition Mr. Trot, a show dedicated to the traditional trot genre. The program attracted an enormous number of participants — nearly 17,000 aspiring singers applied.
When the competition concluded in March 2020, Lim emerged as the winner. The victory instantly turned him into a household name across South Korea and sparked renewed interest in trot music, particularly among younger listeners who had previously associated the genre with older generations.
Chart Success After ‘Mr. Trot’
Following his breakthrough win, Lim quickly translated the momentum into chart success. His celebratory single Trust in Me, released in April 2020, performed strongly on the Gaon Digital Chart, eventually peaking within the top tier of the rankings.
The song’s popularity also brought major recognition during award season. It earned him trophies for Best Trot at the Melon Music Awards and Best Trot Track at the Genie Music Awards.
In 2021, Lim reached another major milestone when his single My Starry Love topped the Gaon Digital Chart, marking his first number-one song on the platform.
Since then, the singer has continued expanding his discography, releasing multiple studio albums and collaborative projects while also contributing emotional soundtrack songs for Korean dramas. One of his widely appreciated OST performances includes Love Always Runs, which resonated strongly with television audiences.
A Unique Place in the Korean Music Industry
Beyond chart performance, Lim Young-Woong has achieved several milestones rarely seen for artists from the trot genre. His official YouTube channel surpassed one million subscribers, earning him the platform’s Gold Play Button — a rare achievement for a trot artist.
His success has also played a role in reviving interest in trot music, bringing the genre back into mainstream conversations and attracting a new generation of listeners.
BTS Still Dominates Globally
While Lim Young-Woong has now taken the MelOn streaming crown, BTS remains one of the most globally influential music acts of the modern era. The group’s worldwide reach continues to dominate international charts, touring markets, and streaming platforms across the globe.
Industry watchers are already anticipating another chart battle soon. BTS is preparing to release their upcoming album ARIRANG on March 21, a comeback that could potentially boost their streaming numbers once again.
Final Words
Lim Young-Woong’s record-breaking achievement on MelOn is a powerful reminder that music success comes in many forms. While global pop giants dominate international charts, artists with strong domestic support can create equally historic milestones at home.
For now, the MelOn throne belongs to Lim Young-Woong — a singer who turned a television competition victory into one of the most remarkable streaming records in South Korean music history.
