Park Jihyun Makes a Strong Showing in June Netizen Awards
On June 30, as of 4:55 PM KST, K-pop artist Park Jihyun is holding firmly to second place in the Netizen Awards’ male singer category. With 25,176 votes (11.1%), Park has slightly widened the gap between himself and third-place singer Son Taejin, who has garnered 22,393 votes.
New Semi-Trot Single ‘Melt Away’ Captivates Summer Listeners
Just hours before the latest vote update, Park released his second single, “Melt Away”, at noon on June 30. The semi-trot track blends an upbeat rhythm with lyrical melodies and candid lyrics about falling in love. The catchy chorus—“My heart is melting”—sticks in listeners’ minds, while Park’s sultry vocals and powerful singing add depth to the song.
The song gained additional buzz due to its collaboration with trot legend Jang Yoonjung, who wrote and composed it under the pseudonym ‘Jang Gongjangjang.’ The team-up between the so-called ‘live fish voice’ Park Jihyun and Korea’s top trot hitmaker adds an extra layer of excitement for fans.
Live Debut at Seoul Encore Concert Impresses Fans
Fans first heard “Melt Away” during Park’s encore concert ‘2025 Park Jihyun Showmanship – Seoul Encore’ on June 22, where he performed a live version ahead of its official release. His emotional delivery and strong live vocals drew enthusiastic reactions from the audience, helping the song gain traction even before it became available online. Now that it’s officially released, positive fan response is spreading quickly on social media, potentially influencing voting trends.
Can Park Jihyun Be the Game-Changer vs. Front-Runner Hwang Youngwoong?
Despite Park’s momentum, Hwang Youngwoong currently dominates the June Netizen Awards with an overwhelming 93,512 votes (41.3%). Still, Park Jihyun not only continues to maintain a secure lead over Son Taejin but also gains traction thanks to his new release. With “Melt Away” garnering attention, Park could become the key challenger to Hwang in the awards’ final stretch.
As the runner-up of Mister Trot 2 and following his debut single “Bada Sanai,” Park is proving he’s more than a rising star—he’s on his way to becoming a true ‘content-driven artist’ with musical range and stage presence.
