Cho Yongpil Tops Netizen Awards—Again
In a moment that felt both historical and present-day, Cho Yongpil has once again clinched the Superstar of the Year title at the September 2025 Netizen Awards. With a commanding 4,047 votes (35.6%), Korea’s beloved gawang—a term meaning “king of singers”—proved that time simply doesn’t apply to legends.
Queen Divas Still Shine: Kim Wansun & Lee Sunhee
Trailing right behind him was Kim Wansun with 2,576 votes (22.7%). Often dubbed Korea’s “Madonna” for her dance-driven pop career in the ’80s, she remains an icon of edgy elegance. Close on her heels was Lee Sunhee, whose 1,551 votes (13.6%) confirm her status as the reigning ballad diva with soulful depth. Together, they join Cho in forming a golden trio of Korean pop history.
Genre-Defying Legends Take the Spotlight
Rock titan Kim Kyungho secured the 4th spot with 1,060 votes (9.3%), proving that high-pitched screams and guitar riffs still have staying power. Right after him, trot masters Nam Jin and Na Hoon-a snagged the 5th and 6th positions with 920 votes (8.1%) and 577 votes (5.1%) respectively—demonstrating that love for Korea’s classic sound runs deep.
Icons You’ll Never Forget: 7th to 10th Place
- Kim Jongseo (7th place, 130 votes)
- Shin Seunghun (8th place, 119 votes)
- Yoo Yeol (9th place, 92 votes)
- Lee Seunghwan (10th place, 81 votes)
From rock to love ballads, these artists may not top music charts these days, but they definitely top our hearts.
Still Relevant: The Lower Rankings Speak Volumes
The 11th to 20th places reflect just how deep Korea’s musical bench really is. Veterans like Lee Mi-ja (40 votes), Kim Yeon-ja, Park Nam-jung, and Suh Taiji all made appearances. Don’t let the voter counts fool you—the cultural impact of these artists can’t be quantified.
The Legacy Behind the Votes
More than just a fan poll, this month’s Netizen Awards read more like a love letter to Korean music. These votes were symbolic—each a digital bouquet laid at the feet of the artists who’ve transcended generations. While Cho Yongpil remains the headline, the real story is the shared stage filled with timeless legends.
As October’s voting kicks off, all eyes are on whether Cho Yongpil continues his reign or whether a plot twist lies ahead. He’s slated to appear on KBS News 9 on October 5 to share his thoughts—and possibly hint at future plans. Fun fact? He recently led a concert commemorating the 80th anniversary of Korean independence. When he speaks, a nation listens.
