[Full Text] "Fans Are My Today" — Lim Young-woong, Putting Aside His 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 — just releasing one or two songs and pressing a few CDs. That was my beginning."

He continued, "I felt I fell short of calling myself a prepared singer, and I believed that the word 'debut' is something far more firmly prepared people say with confidence. 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. Even so, it was truly a grateful occasion. Though I had very little, there was one thing: 'One day, I will become the best singer.' That single sentence pushed me from deep within my heart every day. With just that vow, I think I fought against myself every day." He recalled his debut days.

Lim Young-woong said, "That place where colleagues called it the 'minor league bottom' — people who spent ten years trying to promote one 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 a little each day while 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 director, 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 back then. At that time, I had about 20 fans around me who gave one day's effort for a hundredfold results. The cafe membership was around three to four hundred, but I remember only about ten to twenty of them were always the ones actively supporting me." He reminisced.

He went on, "Those who arrived two hours early wherever I went, hung up banners, blew over 100 balloons by mouth and distributed them, and shouted my name until their voices grew hoarse — even though no one knew me 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 days suddenly come to mind. The breath of yours who sweated in the hot air and blew balloons until your fingers grew numb on the cold floor. Only now am I slowly realizing that each one of those breaths was actually the wind that brought me here." He revealed his heartfelt feelings toward his fans.

Lim Young-woong added, "And then 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 truly want to say: Thank you not only for recognizing me but for choosing me." His confession moved many.

He said, "I also know there are countless good songs and wonderful singers in the world. Among so many names, you still chose to call out my name, wait for my stage, and wonder about my day. Every day, I live with a deep sense of how much courage and love that heart represents. The person who plays my song at the end of their busy day, the one who shouts my name until hoarse in concert halls, and even you who 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: 'One day I will become the best.' Now thinking back, perhaps it wasn't my own promise but a pledge you had already made for me in advance. From now on, I will remain someone who sings by your side for a very long time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." He expressed his sincere feelings.

Lim Young-woong said, "May we not be sad but beautiful for a very long time. May we not be dark but brilliant every single day. May we be healthy and happy. May today be more beautiful 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 swept up a phenomenon-level popularity and secured the final championship title (Jin). 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 — just releasing one or two songs and pressing a few CDs. That was my beginning.

I felt I fell short of calling myself a prepared singer, and I believed that the word 'debut' is something far more firmly prepared people say with confidence.

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. Even so, it was truly a grateful occasion.

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

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 where colleagues called it the 'minor league bottom' — people who spent ten years trying to promote one 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 a little each day while 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 director, 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 back then. At that time, I had about 20 fans around me who gave one day's effort for a hundredfold results. The cafe membership was around three to four hundred, but I remember only about ten to twenty of them were always the ones actively supporting me.

Those who arrived two hours early wherever I went, hung up banners, blew over 100 balloons by mouth and distributed them, and shouted my name until their voices grew hoarse — even though no one knew me 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 days suddenly come to mind. The breath of yours who sweated in the hot air and blew balloons until your fingers grew numb on the cold floor. Only now am I slowly realizing that each one of those breaths was actually the wind that brought me here.

And then 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 truly want to say: Thank you not only for recognizing me but for choosing me.

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

The person who plays my song at the end of their busy day, the one who shouts my name until hoarse in concert halls, and even you who 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: "One day I will become the best."

Now thinking back, perhaps it wasn't my own promise but a pledge you had already made for me in advance. From now on, I will remain someone who sings by your side for a very long time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

May we not be sad but beautiful for a very long time. May we not be dark but brilliant every single day.

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

I love you, Yeongung Sidae.

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*This content was translated by AI.