[Full Text] "Fans Are My Today" — Lim Young-woong, Putting Aside Star Status to Care Only for Fans on 10th Anniversary

*This content was translated by AI.

Singer Lim Young-woong (35) shared his sincere reflections as he marked his 10th anniversary since debut.

On the afternoon of the 8th, Lim Young-woong posted a lengthy article titled "On My 10th Anniversary" on his official fan cafe, Yeongung-sidae. He began by saying, "Ten years ago today, I was actually someone for whom the word 'debut' felt quite awkward. There were no grand stages, no flashy promotions, and no TV broadcasts. It was simply about releasing one or two songs and pressing a few CDs — that was my beginning."

He continued, "I felt I fell short of being called a prepared singer, and I believed the word 'debut' was something far more firmly prepared people would confidently utter. So that day held little meaning for me; it was just an ordinary day. My first stage wasn't even one where singers I admired had stood. To be honest, it was a small broadcast that no one would have known about. Nevertheless, it was truly a grateful occasion. Though I had very little, there was one thing: 'I will become the best singer someday.' That single sentence pushed me from deep within my heart every day. With just that vow, I think I fought against myself every day."

Lim Young-woong recalled, "That place, which colleagues called the 'minor league basement.' People who spent ten years trying to promote a single song, those traveling nationwide without pay, and those running hundreds or thousands of singing schools on foot to make themselves known. Somewhere among them, I walked forward little by little each day, watching the backs of seniors who were already ahead of me. Fortunately, everyone I met treated me kindly, and with the immense effort and dedication of our representative, I was able to move forward — very slowly, truly very slowly. We began gaining recognition after appearing on 'Morning Market,' but there were still far more people who didn't know my name. At that time, about 20 fans stood by me, giving one hundred percent. While the cafe had around three hundred members, I remember only about ten to twenty of them were always running alongside me."

He added, "Those who arrived two hours early wherever I went, hung banners, blew up over 100 balloons with their own mouths and distributed them, and shouted my name until their voices grew hoarse — a name no one knew yet. Every time we met, they treated me as if I were already a star despite how far I still had to go, quietly filling my empty heart. I will never forget that gratitude in my lifetime. Even now, those moments suddenly come back to me. The breath of those who sweated in the hot air and blew balloons until their hands grew numb on the cold floor. Only now am I slowly realizing that each of those breaths was actually the wind that brought me here." He expressed his deep affection for his fans.

Lim Young-woong then said, "And in 2020, I met 'Mr. Trot' and became who I am today. Looking back, I have always been an imperfect person, but you made me the best. To all of you reading this letter now, I want to say clearly: Thank you not only for recognizing me but for choosing me." His confession moved many.

He continued, "I also know there are truly many good songs and wonderful singers in the world. Among so many names, you chose to call out my name, wait for my stage, and wonder about my day. Every day, I live realizing how much courage and love that heart represents. The person who plays my song at the end of a busy day, the one who shouts my name until their voice is hoarse in concert halls, and even you who have read this letter all the way to here — each and every one of you is my stage, my reason, and my today. Ten years ago, that vow: 'I will become the best someday.' Now, thinking back, it seems that wasn't just my promise but a commitment you had already made for me in advance. I will remain someone who sings by your side for a very long time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Lim Young-woong said, "May you never be sad and may you remain beautiful for a very long time. May you never be dark but shine brilliantly every single day. May you be healthy and happy. May you be more beautiful today than yesterday. I love you, Yeongung-sidae." He shared the glory of the 10th anniversary with his fans.

Lim Young-woong officially debuted in the music industry in August 2016 by releasing the single 'I Hate You.' Later, in Season 1 of TV Chosun's trot competition program 'Mr. Trot' in 2020, he captured the final championship title with a phenomenon-level popularity. With his solid vocal ability, Lim Young-woong has become a national singer loved by people of all ages and genders.

Ten years ago today, I was actually someone for whom the word 'debut' felt quite awkward.

There were no grand stages, no flashy promotions, and no TV broadcasts. It was simply about releasing one or two songs and pressing a few CDs — that was my beginning.

I felt I fell short of being called a prepared singer, and I believed the word 'debut' was something far more firmly prepared people would confidently utter.

So that day held little meaning for me; it was just an ordinary day.

My first stage wasn't even one where singers I admired had stood. To be honest, it was a small broadcast that no one would have known about. Nevertheless, it was truly a grateful occasion.

Though I had very little, there was one thing: "I will become the best singer someday."

That single sentence pushed me from deep within my heart every day. With just that vow, I think I fought against myself every day.

That place, which colleagues called the 'minor league basement.' People who spent ten years trying to promote a single song, those traveling nationwide without pay, and those running hundreds or thousands of singing schools on foot to make themselves known. Somewhere among them, I walked forward little by little each day, watching the backs of seniors who were already ahead of me.

Fortunately, everyone I met treated me kindly, and with the immense effort and dedication of our representative, I was able to move forward — very slowly, truly very slowly.

We began gaining recognition after appearing on 'Morning Market,' but there were still far more people who didn't know my name. At that time, about 20 fans stood by me, giving one hundred percent. While the cafe had around three hundred members, I remember only about ten to twenty of them were always running alongside me.

Those who arrived two hours early wherever I went, hung banners, blew up over 100 balloons with their own mouths and distributed them, and shouted my name until their voices grew hoarse — a name no one knew yet. Every time we met, they treated me as if I were already a star despite how far I still had to go, quietly filling my empty heart. I will never forget that gratitude in my lifetime.

Even now, those moments suddenly come back to me. The breath of those who sweated in the hot air and blew balloons until their hands grew numb on the cold floor. Only now am I slowly realizing that each of those breaths was actually the wind that brought me here.

And in 2020, I met 'Mr. Trot' and became who I am today. Looking back, I have always been an imperfect person, but you made me the best. To all of you reading this letter now, I want to say clearly: Thank you not only for recognizing me but for choosing me.

I also know there are truly many good songs and wonderful singers in the world. Among so many names, you chose to call out my name, wait for my stage, and wonder about my day. Every day, I live realizing how much courage and love that heart represents.

The person who plays my song at the end of a busy day, the one who shouts my name until their voice is hoarse in concert halls, and even you who have read this letter all the way to here — each and every one of you is my stage, my reason, and my today.

Ten years ago, that vow: "I will become the best someday."

Now, thinking back, it seems that wasn't just my promise but a commitment you had already made for me in advance. I will remain someone who sings by your side for a very long time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

May you never be sad and may you remain beautiful for a very long time. May you never be dark but shine brilliantly every single day.

May you be healthy and happy. May you be more beautiful today than yesterday.

I love you, Yeongung-sidae.

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*This content was translated by AI.