'Im Young-woong's time' is coming.
His comeback show that will dominate the second half of 2025
Lim Young-woong \'Thumbs up!\'
(MHN Senior Reporter Hong Dong-hee) In the second half of 2025, the music industry will be dominated by one name: singer Lim Young-woong. Starting with the release of his second full-length album on August 29th, he will embark on a truly "all-out comeback" that will include appearances on terrestrial TV variety shows, solo special broadcasts, and even a large-scale nationwide tour. This isn't just a single album release. It's the prelude to the most spectacular and strategic "comeback show" in K-pop history, with every step organically connected.
First Wave: "CD-Free Albums": Choosing Value Over Records
The first act of his comeback show began not with a song, but with a declaration: the decision not to release a physical CD of his second full-length album, "IM HERO 2." The "record king," who easily sells a million copies of his albums, voluntarily gave up that record. His agency stated the reason: "environmental protection." The artist with the greatest influence has directly addressed the K-pop industry's chronic problem of "album waste."
This wasn't simply a "good deed," but a clever first move. With this unconventional declaration, he garnered the spotlight from all media outlets even before his comeback. His choice of "positive influence" over the tangible achievement of "records" instilled pride in his fandom, "Woongwoong Era," and deep trust in the public. Before his full-fledged promotions, he elevated the "Lim Youngwoong" brand to a new level.
Stage Two: The Return of "Human Im Young-woong" Opens the Doors to Terrestrial Broadcasting
Having captured the public's attention with his groundbreaking declaration, he is now returning to the stage most familiar to the public: terrestrial entertainment. Having previously communicated with fans through his own channels, including YouTube and concerts, he is now foreshadowing a long-awaited reunion with viewers on the small screen.
The SBS variety show "Island Bachelor Hero," which premieres on August 26th, is his first regular variety show since his debut. His strategy is to temporarily set aside his perfect "Hero" image on stage and approach the down-to-earth "human Lim Young-woong" of an island village, maximizing his public intimacy. Furthermore, on the 30th and September 6th, the day after his album release, he will present his first solo special, "Lim Young-woong and Friends," on KBS's "Immortal Songs" over two weeks. He will collaborate with talented musicians like Lee Juck, Lyn, and Roy Kim, and perform his hot new song, which was released the day before, for the first time, aiming to generate significant buzz for his comeback.
The Peak and a New Beginning: The Album and National Tour
After all this dazzling prelude, the full-length second album, "IM HERO 2," is finally unveiled. As this is the first full-length album in three years, expectations are high for how the group will expand their musical spectrum beyond the success of their first album, "IM HERO." As one critic commented, "We anticipate the birth of a masterpiece that transcends the trot genre," this album promises to be a significant achievement that will shape the music industry in the second half of 2025.
And the excitement surrounding the album's release will immediately lead to a massive nationwide concert tour, a "festival." Beginning in Incheon this October, the tour will continue to Daegu, Seoul, Gwangju, Daejeon, and finally Busan in February of next year. Throughout the second half of 2025, South Korea will be bathed in his signature color, "sky blue."
Ultimately, Lim Young-woong's comeback isn't simply the release of an album. It's a massive "comeback show" meticulously planned over the past few months, starting with a groundbreaking declaration (unreleased CD) → public warm-up (variety shows) → musical proof (Immortal Songs/album release) → fan festival (national tour). He's no longer a star waiting for the media to pick him up; he's become a "planner," personally designing his own comeback roadmap and leading the market. The "return of the king" has already begun.
The Return of the King is such a fitting expression.