[The Editors' Verdict] Healers of Our Time: Lim Young-woong and Park Chang-geun

The Common Ground Between Two Distinct Singers: “Comfort”
How Songs of Encouragement Become a Source of Strength in Life

I have a habit of reading books before going to sleep. I mainly read books related to history, culture, personalities, and corporate history. Recently, I have been enjoying reading (Choi Yeol, Hyehwa). As I underline passages I find important, I often fall asleep without realizing it?much like undergoing a sleep endoscopy during a health checkup. I am not the type to finish one book before picking up another, so there are always books piled up on the desk beside my bed.

Recently, I developed a new habit. I listen to a few songs before falling asleep. Sometimes I listen while reading, and other times I close the book and immerse myself solely in the music. This brings me peace of mind, and for a brief moment, I feel as if I own the world. Sometimes, I even shed tears without realizing it. On such days, I sleep well. Whose songs are these?

It is Park Chang-geun, who won the TV Chosun competition program “Tomorrow’s National Singer” in December 2021. His singing has a magical power that moves the heart. Through the dynamics of rhythm, he grips and releases the heart. His songs create a connection that links hearts together. He demonstrates the power of empathy beyond just good singing. The term “emotional artisan” is not an exaggeration. His skills, honed over more than 30 years of performing, subtly yet powerfully radiate through his singing. Although it has been over a year since his competition win, his popularity continues to strengthen.

Particularly notable is the activity of his fan cafe, “Pogni.” Both Park Chang-geun and Pogni strive to exert a “positive influence.” They have donated 45 million won for relief efforts in Turkey, over 22 million won to help wildfire victims, and about 26 million won to support vulnerable groups through civic organizations. They actively support low-income female adolescents with organic sanitary pads and contribute donations to the Community Chest of Korea, showing more proactive engagement than many other fan cafes. The synergy between Park Chang-geun and his fan cafe is evident.

The popularity of “rainbow singer” Lim Young-woong, whose style differs from folk singer Park Chang-geun, is soaring. Lim Young-woong, who ranked first in TV Chosun’s “Mr. Trot” in 2020, is gaining power as time passes. He has held the number one spot on the Idol Chart rating ranking for 99 consecutive weeks, and has 65 videos with over 10 million views on YouTube. His movie “I’m Hero The Final,” which opens on March 1, ranked first in integrated ticket sales on February 20 at 11 a.m., with a reservation rate of 27.1%.

Lim Young-woong’s fan base is much broader than Park Chang-geun’s, who mainly appeals to the 50s and 60s age group. His fans range from teenagers to the elderly. This is because Lim Young-woong demonstrates skill across genres, from trot to ballads and dance. His delicate touch that stirs emotions and unparalleled vocal ability are remarkable. Fans call the moment they hear the first note of his song “the 3-second miracle” because it moves their hearts instantly.

Why do these two singers, Lim Young-woong and Park Chang-geun, who have different styles, dominate the current era? In one word: “comfort.” Many people shed tears and find solace in their emotionally appealing songs. Listeners release and cleanse the pent-up frustrations and countless hardships they could not share with others through these songs. At the same time, they gain the strength to take one step at a time forward. Therefore, their songs not only comfort individuals but also heal the pains of the era. This is why their popularity is bound to continue for some time.