Lim Young Woong secured a triple crown at the 33rd Hanteo Music Awards 2025, winning three major trophies in one night and cementing his status as a top star in Korea's music industry.
The 33rd Hanteo Music Awards were held on February 15, 2026, at the KSPO Dome in Seoul's Olympic Park, honoring the biggest musical achievements of 2025.
Lim Young Woong took home the WhosFandom Award, the Best Popular Artist (Popularity Award), and the Special Award – OST for his song "Heavenly Ever After" from the drama of the same name, according to allkpop.
The WhosFandom Award is decided entirely by global fan votes through Hanteo's official platforms, and this marks Lim Young Woong's third consecutive win after also taking the category in 2023 and 2024.
His official fan club, Hero Generation, again ranked first in the final voting, showing consistent support and organizational strength across multiple years.
The Best Popular Artist honor reflects not only fan votes but also overall public recognition and activity during the year. By winning this award, Lim Young Woong proved he remains one of the most widely recognized trot and ballad artists in Korea, holding his ground even among many younger K‑pop acts at the ceremony, Times Now News reported.
Lim Young Woong received the Special Award – OST for "Heavenly Ever After," which was praised for its emotional delivery and strong performance on music charts after release.
Hanteo's award system combines album sales, digital performance, fan votes, and expert evaluations, meaning the OST win also reflects solid commercial performance and industry approval.
Lim Young Woong's triple crown underlines his versatility as an artist who can command hardcore fan loyalty, general public popularity, and a strong presence in the OST field. At a time when K‑pop is dominated by idol groups, his success at the 33rd Hanteo Music Awards highlights the continued influence of veteran solo singers and trot–ballad acts in the Korean music scene, as per soompi.
