Singer Lim Young-woong performs at Gocheok Dome for first time in trot history

Singer Lim Young-woong performs at Gocheok Dome for first time in trot history: K-POP / 연합뉴스 / 2022-12-11 09:29:47

▲This photo, provided by Mulgogi Music, shows Lim Young-woong on stage. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Yonhap) -- "Singers feel the greatest happiness and energy when their song is successful." I wondered if I could receive this much love.

Singer Lim Young-woong made the remarks ahead of performing the title track of his first album "If We Ever Meet Again" at his Korea tour "IM HERO" encore performance held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on December 10.

Lim Young-woong had the best year since his debut, matching his name and concert title "HERO" beyond the level of this year's title song being a hit.

He put his first full-length album, which was released in May this year, on a million-seller list, setting the highest record for a solo artist in history based on sales volume in the first week of the Hanteo Chart. Since then, the national tour concert has been sold out every day, and on the TV stage, it has topped the music program, beating popular idol groups.

Thanks to these achievements, Lim Young-woong won five awards, including "Artist of the Year," the grand prize at the year-end music awards, "2022 MMA."

Looking at the fans who filled 20,000 seats in the hall, he said, "We are finally with you at Gocheok (Sky) Dome," adding, "We sincerely thank the hero era (Lim Young-woong's fans) for making all this possible."

The area near the concert hall was crowded with fans early in the day, regardless of the cold weather. Fans dressed in blue T-shirts symbolizing Lim Young-woong gathered in twos and threes and had a good time taking pictures next to Lim Young-woong's banner.

Fans who couldn't get tickets gathered near the concert hall and watched Lim Young-woong's stage video on their mobile phones.

When the stage darkened and the 60-second countdown began to announce the performance, the audience started to be excited. When stage LEDs opened from side to side and Lim Young-woong appeared singing his new song "LONDON BOY" in line with the live band's performance, the hall quieted down. The audience was focusing on each of Lim Young-woong's facial expressions, gestures, and notes.

Lim Young-woong worked with a dancer dressed as a royal guard to match the concept of the song "London Boy" and pulled out an impressive high note with his unique clean voice.

"This encore concert is a completely new performance," he said, adding, "I sang the opening as a London boy again." "How was it?" But it's too early to admire a song like this. "We have a lot of new things prepared, so please look forward to them," he asked.

It was TV Chosun's "Mr. Trot" in 2020 that put Lim Young-woong on stardom, but the music bundle he released was not limited to the trot genre. He played a variety of music in addition to the ballad "If We Ever Meet Again," the cheerful pop song "London Boy," and a carol medley for the end of the year.

When Lim Young-woong walked out in front of the T-shaped stage, saying, "I will go see you closely," the shout intensified. He looked around, made eye contact with everyone, waved his hand, and took care of the audience on the second and third floors, saying, "Can you see me well from above?"

He also performed the band version of his hit song "Love Always Run Away," released in October last year.

Lim Young-woong commented about the song, "It doesn't make sense that it's still ranked on a music chart even though it's been more than a year since it was released," adding, "I think this might have been possible before, but it doesn't make sense because there are so many cool people these days." "How many fans do I have all around Korea?" he asked.

Then one audience shouted, "infinity."

Lim Young-woong showed off his hidden dance skills with a dancer on an uptempo stage such as "Rainbow" and also received applause for covering girl group IVE's "After Like" with his secondary character, "Lim Young-kwang."

He also selected more than 20 songs, including "Elevator, Not the Stairs," "Ta-ra Ta-ra," and "Love Station," with the encore songs "My Starry Love" and "A Psalm of Life."

The concert hall was filled with fans of various ages, ranging from teenage students who took the college entrance exam this year to 100-year-old gray-haired grandmothers.

Lim Young-woong was proud, saying, "It's a very strange concert hall that has everyone from 8 to 100 years old," adding, "I feel proud at this moment."

A fan who visited the concert hall said, "Lim Young-woong's voice comes from the heart and feels like it pierces the heart of the listener," adding, "It catches the atmosphere with only the first note." "Everyone sympathizes with the lyrics, and it makes it relatable as he sings it in a good voice."