′Weather Can′t Stop the Hero Era′, Lim Young-woong Beams at Sangam Solo Concert

'Weather Can't Stop the Hero Era', Lim Young-woong Beams at Sangam Solo Concert: K-POP / 연합뉴스 / 2024-05-27 09:21:38

▲ Trot star Lim Young-woong performs at his solo concert "IM HERO - THE STADIUM" held in Seoul World Cup Stadium on May 26, 2024, in this photo provided by star management Mulgogi Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- "This weather can't stop us. Just enjoy it with a more refreshing sentiment."

Despite the overcast skies, Lim Young-woong's concert at Sangam World Cup Stadium glowed with a clear, blue hue. The heavy rain that poured before the concert eased just in time to celebrate the Hero Era's festival.

On May 26, singer Lim Young-woong performed at the 'IM HERO - THE STADIUM' concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium. He said, "It's great to perform in the rain. I’ve put everything into this show. I’ll continue to dream big with the Hero Era," referring to his devoted fanbase.

Over two days, from May 25 to 26, Lim Young-woong gathered around 100,000 fans at the same venue where top stars like Psy and Seventeen have performed. Fans, known as the Hero Era, wore sky blue outfits symbolizing Lim, showing enthusiastic support.

▲ Concertgoers gather for trot star Lim Young-woong's solo concert "IM HERO - THE STADIUM" at Seoul World Cup Stadium on May 26, 2024, in this photo provided by star management Mulgogi Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

As fireworks announced the start of the concert, Lim appeared on stage with a band waving flags and performed 'Rainbow,' 'London Boy,' and 'Home.' The sight of Lim singing on the central stage while dozens of dancers crossed the ground resembled an Olympic opening ceremony in scale.

His expressions were serious as he handed over the microphone to a dancer and executed choreography, including the signature 'cutting' dance moves.

With his face soon soaked in raindrops and sweat, Lim said, "Personally, I like rainy days. Even when playing football, waterlogged conditions are fun, so I think my singing might be even better today," he joked.

Lim Young-woong passionately sang a total of 30 songs over three hours, including his hits 'Trust in Me Now,' 'Love Always Runs Away,' and 'A Story of an Old Couple in Their 60s.' The stage showcased his broad repertoire, from traditional trot like 'Desire' to dance tracks like 'London Boy' and ballad-style new songs 'Warmth' and 'Grains of Sand.'

In 'Shower,' he performed with dancers in raincoats, splashing water, which, combined with the weather, enhanced the song's immersive quality. Live saxophone and piano added to the melancholic atmosphere of the rainy day.

During 'Father,' Lim stood still with his eyes closed, creating a somber mood as he was drenched. In 'Warmth,' he sat alone in the rain, delivering a heartfelt performance.

Lim revealed a clip from the music video for 'Warmth,' filmed as a short film, and expressed his intention to try acting. "I’ve been told I'm quite good by my acting teacher, which boosted my confidence. I'd like to try acting in various genres like comedy, action, and romance."

The concert was marked by thoughtful details to enhance the audience experience and performance quality.

Colored lines on the ground guided fans to their seats just by looking down. Every attendee was given a raincoat for a comfortable viewing experience.