Top Singers of 2024: NewJeans Appeals to the Youth while Lim Young Woong Dominates Older Audiences

A recent survey conducted by Gallup Korea in 2024 gathered insights from 5,281 respondents aged 13 and older throughout South Korea (excluding Jeju). This three-part survey, conducted in July, September to October, and November, asked participants to list their three favorite singers or groups currently active in the K-pop scene, allowing for open-ended answers.

Under 40: NewJeans Shines Bright

Among participants aged 13 to 39, NewJeans emerged as a dominant force, securing 25.5% of the votes to claim the top position. With their debut in July 2022, they skyrocketed from fifth place in their inaugural year to the pinnacle of popularity by 2023. Despite facing various challenges from their management agency, NewJeans has maintained an impressive following, surpassing seasoned artists like IU and BLACKPINK, especially amid BTS’s hiatus.

Following closely, IU attracted 20.6% of the votes. Active since her debut in 2008, this singer-songwriter and actress has consistently ranked among the top contenders for “Singer of the Year” since 2011, with first-place wins in 2014 and 2017. Recently, IU concluded a successful world tour, performing 31 shows across 12 countries and captivating an audience of 500,000 fans.

Completing the top three, aespa, which debuted in 2020, received 13.3% of the votes. The following ranks included BTS (10.7%), IVE (10.2%), DAY6 (8.5%), BLACKPINK (8.0%), Rosé (7.7%), Lim Young Woong (5.4%), and Lee Mu Jin (3.9%).

Additionally, numerous artists and groups garnered more than 1.5% of the votes in this age group. These included Seventeen (3.4%), (G)I-DLE (3.2%), AKMU (3.1%), and several others, showcasing the rich diversity of talent among younger audiences.

40 and Older: Lim Young Woong’s Unrivaled Popularity

Continuing his reign, Lim Young Woong captured the top spot among respondents aged 40 and above, accumulating 33.9% of the votes for the fifth consecutive year. He initially gained fame through the TV Chosun audition program “Mr. Trot” in 2020, where his emotive performances captivated audiences and secured him the victory. Since then, Lim has become a household name, appearing in numerous concerts, television programs, and advertisements.

Lee Chan Won followed in second place with 12.2%, also rising to fame through “Mr. Trot.” He is known for his hit song “Jinttobaegi” and has since released a self-composed album titled “Bright: Chan” in 2024. Lee Chan Won is active across various entertainment programs, including “Immortal Songs” and “Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant.”

Rounding out the top ten in this demographic were Jang Yoon Jung (11.8%), Young Tak (10.0%), Na Hoon A (8.1%), Jin Sung (7.8%), IU (6.4%), Song Ga In (5.8%), Jang Min Ho (4.6%), and Park Seo Jin (4.2%).

Several other artists and groups received over 1.5% of the votes, with Jeong Dong Won (3.5%), Kim Yeon Ja (3.3%), NewJeans (3.2%), and other established names further illustrating the wide range of musical preferences among the older audience.

Most Cherished Songs of 2024

The survey also inquired about favorite songs released or performed in 2024, allowing respondents to list up to three. Among the younger demographic, the collaboration between Rosé and Bruno Mars, titled “APT.”(9.8%), emerged as the top choice. For those aged 40 and older, the song “Love Always Run Away”by Lim Young Woong ranked highest with 5.9% of the votes.

Other notable songs among younger voters included “Supernova”by aespa (7.2%), “How Sweet”by NewJeans (5.9%), and “HEYA”by IVE (5.3%). Meanwhile, the older demographic favored tracks such as “Warmth”(5.5%) and “At Andong Station”by Jin Sung (3.9%), alongside several pieces from Lim Young Woong highlighting his musical versatility.

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