Lim Young-woong reflects on 10 years: 'Let's not lose my original intention'

Singer Lim Young-woong reflected on his journey and expressed his gratitude to fans to mark the 10th anniversary of his debut. Looking back on a rapidly expanding career—from five consecutive wins on 'Morning Forum' and winning the 'Jin' (grand prize) title on 'Mr. Trot' to nationwide tours and stadium performances—he cited "not losing my original intention" as his primary goal for the future, rather than the scale of his success.

Appearing on Esquire Korea's YouTube content released on the 27th, Lim shared stories regarding his musical career and life over the past decade.

For Lim, who debuted in 2016, the catalyst for his significant public recognition was KBS 1TV's 'Morning Forum.' He subsequently emerged as a central figure in the music scene after winning the final 'Jin' title on TV CHOSUN's 'Mr. Trot' in 2020.

Recalling those times, Lim chose the word "miracle." "The win on 'Mr. Trot' brings the word 'miracle' to mind," he said, adding, "The timing was good, and I was lucky." Rather than attributing his explosive success solely to his own abilities, he views it as a result of the era, luck, and the choice of the public.

In particular, "Wish" remains the song that changed his life. "'Wish' is the song that changed my life," he reminisced. "It was the opportunity for me to be properly known to many people for the first time."

Since then, Lim's stage has expanded beyond broadcasting to the entire nation. Following a streak of sold-out nationwide tours, he established himself as a premier performance artist by successfully staging large-scale stadium performances.

Lim revealed, "When 'Mr. Trot' ended, I didn't think things would continue to go this well. It was surprising to me as well that it led to sold-out nationwide tours and even stadium performances."

The performance held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium holds special meaning for Lim. He explained that while preparing, he even considered seating arrangements to minimize damage to the stadium grass. This demonstrates that he considers not only the scale of a concert attracting tens of thousands but also the specific characteristics and management of the venue.

This attitude aligns with how Lim views his own success. Despite securing massive stadium stages, he believes it is more important to consider the audience, the venue, and the stage environment rather than focusing solely on increasing the scale.

Outside of the stage, his pet dog Siwol has become a significant presence in his life.

"Since meeting Siwol, there have been many more happy moments," Lim said. "Even if something depressing happens, being with Siwol allows me to end the day happily." While he is a star leading tens of thousands of fans, he revealed a side of himself as an ordinary person seeking simple happiness through his pet.

His affection for soccer also remains strong. A known soccer enthusiast, Lim recently mentioned watching the North America World Cup final in person, describing the moment he met his long-time idol Lionel Messi as "feeling like I achieved a bucket list item."

His daily life, where his career as a singer and his passion as a soccer fan coexist, shows a human side distinct from his stage persona. Amidst a life of intense public attention, experiencing the things he loves firsthand serves as a vital counterbalance for him.

Now, Lim is preparing for a new stage once again.

Ahead of 'IM HERO - THE STADIUM' to be held this September at Goyang Stadium, he teased that he will create an even more festival-like performance through new songs and new arrangements of existing tracks. His decision to return to a stadium scale suggests a move to expand his brand into a sustainable performance culture rather than a one-time event.

However, the most important thing for Lim upon reaching his 10th anniversary was not new records.

As words he wanted to say to himself, he said, "You worked hard for 10 years. I hope you don't lose your original intention and continue to work just like you did at the beginning. I hope you continue to work hard and remain humble."

He continued to express his gratitude to his fans: "Thanks to Hero Generation, I have received truly great love over the past 10 years. I was able to experience many thankful things."

Lim's ten years have been a journey of growing from near-obscurity to a national star, and from a competition winner to a performer capable of filling massive stadiums. While his musical influence and commercial success have grown immensely, the mantra he gives himself remains: "just like the beginning."

Understanding that maintaining one's original intention becomes harder as success grows, Lim's conclusion for his 10th anniversary is not a declaration of reaching higher peaks, but a commitment to gratitude for the fans who made it possible and a promise to walk his path with humility.

As he moves past a decade defined by "miracles," attention is focused on what records Lim Young-woong will set in his next ten years.