Lim Young-woong: Once I'm hooked on a food, I eat it for a month

Singer Lim Young-woong has opened up about his evolving outlook on life and his deep affection for his fans, a shift sparked by his relationship with his companion dog, Siwol. From his humble eating habits—where he sticks to the same menu for nearly a month once he finds something he likes—to his personal standards for fashion, he revealed a side of his daily life that contrasts with his glamorous stage persona.

In a recent interview with the fashion magazine Esquire, Lim chose "love" as the most important value in his life. Having long shared the greeting "Geonhaeng" (be healthy and happy) with his fans, he was asked what additional value he would add to his life. "It's so obvious and cliché, but it's love. Sincerely," he replied.

"It's something I always say at concert venues as well," he emphasized. "I always tell the fans to love, and that I love them. One must always love."

He cited his meeting with Siwol as the catalyst for thinking more deeply about the meaning of love. "One day, while saying those things, I found myself wondering, 'Am I actually living my life while practicing love?'" Lim said.

"Meeting Siwol, loving Siwol, and expressing my love to Siwol has truly changed my life," he continued. "These days, I resolve to love in every single moment."

This sentiment reflects more than just affection for a pet; it signifies a re-evaluation of how he forms relationships with others. As a singer beloved by the public, he has redefined his life's attitude by questioning how much he himself practices the love he preaches.

He also expressed his devotion to his fandom, Hero Generation. When asked if loving Lim Young-woong could serve as a source of comfort or healing for fans amidst the hardships of reality, he replied, "If I can be that kind of presence, I would be incredibly grateful."\p>

His life offstage is unexpectedly simple. Lim revealed that once he falls for a specific food, he repeats the same menu for a considerable period. "If I get hooked on Seolleongtang (ox bone soup), I'll eat only Seolleongtang for lunch, then after about a month, I'll move on to Sundaeguk (blood sausage soup), and then to Galbitang (short rib soup)," he explained. He added that he has been enjoying butter chicken curry lately.

To minimize decision fatigue, he also simplifies his wardrobe by pre-determining his clothing categories. "I have set clothes for when I dress up to go out, clothes for when I go out comfortably, and clothes for everyday wear," he said.

This approach of creating personal standards to reduce fatigue is a common strategy for modern people facing constant choices. While he maintains a brilliant image in front of massive audiences, his private life reveals a preference for repetition and simplicity.

Lim Young-woong will hold his second stadium concert, 'IM HERO - THE STADIUM', at the Goyang Stadium Main Stadium in Gyeonggi-do from September 4 to 6. As he prepares to reunite with fans through his music, all eyes are on how he will translate his core value of "love" onto the big stage.