Lim Young-woong Surpasses 1.4 Billion Streams on Melon, Retains Top Artist Rank

On July 13, 2026, South Korea’s leading music platform Melon celebrated a landmark achievement when trot star Lim Young‑woong broke the 1.4‑billion‑stream barrier, becoming the first Korean solo artist to reach that figure. The record was sealed a week after Lim crossed 1.3 billion streams on July 7, cementing his place at the top of Melon’s all‑time artist ranking—a spot he has held since overtaking BTS.

The surge is tied to IM HERO 2, Lim’s second full‑length album that debuted on August 29, 2025. The 11‑track set, anchored by the title track “Like a Moment Forever,” also features chart‑staying singles such as “ULSSIGU (Eolssigu),” “I Will Become a Wildflower,” “Because It Rained,” “Don’t Look Back,” and “I Understand, I’m Sorry.” The album’s consistent streaming performance propelled the cumulative total past the 1.4‑billion threshold.

Melon, operated by SK Telecom and managed by Kakao Entertainment since 2009, is South Korea’s most popular subscription‑based streaming service, boasting more than 28 million users. Artist rankings on the platform are calculated from the total number of streams a song or album receives. Lim’s milestone is significant because it surpasses the cumulative streams of BTS, the global K‑pop group that previously held the top spot.

Lim’s career has progressed steadily since his debut in 2016 with “Hate You.” His breakthrough came after winning the reality competition Mr. Trot in 2020, which propelled him into national prominence. Since then he has released two studio albums and a collaborative medley album, earning four Gaon Digital Chart number‑ones. He also became the first trot artist to receive a Gold Play Button for reaching one million YouTube subscribers.

In addition to the streaming milestone, Lim has announced a large‑scale stadium concert, IM HERO – THE STADIUM 2, scheduled for September 4–6, 2026 at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province. The three‑day show, promoted by his agency Mulgogi Music, follows a two‑year hiatus from solo stadium performances.

The 1.4‑billion‑stream record fits into a broader trend of growing streaming volumes for Korean artists on domestic platforms. While international services such as Spotify and Apple Music continue to expand, Melon remains the primary source of revenue and audience data for Korean musicians. Lim’s achievement demonstrates the sustained popularity of trot and ballad genres in the streaming era.

The milestone also underscores the importance of long‑term streaming strategy. Lim’s catalog, which includes multiple high‑charting singles and a robust album release schedule, has accumulated streams steadily over time. According to Melon’s public data, the cumulative total for an artist is updated daily, allowing fans and industry observers to track progress in real time.

Lim’s next steps include the upcoming stadium concert and potential new releases. While no new album has been announced, his agency has indicated that Lim will continue to produce music that appeals to both traditional and contemporary audiences.

The 1.4‑billion‑stream achievement is a record for a solo Korean artist on Melon and confirms Lim Young‑woong’s status as a leading figure in the domestic music market. The milestone also highlights the continued relevance of streaming metrics in assessing artist success in South Korea.