Fierce Competition for Second Place in July’s Netizen Awards
As of July 3 at 3:45 p.m. KST, the battle for the second spot in the 2025 Netizen Awards’ Male Singer category is razor-thin. Park Jihyun currently leads Son Taejin by just 60 votes, recording 2,145 (10.8%) versus Son’s 2,085 votes (10.5%). While Hwang Youngwoong holds a significant lead at the top, all eyes are on who will secure the runner-up position.
Park Jihyun’s Emotional Edge Keeps Him in the Game
Park Jihyun, often dubbed the “live-fish voice” for his vibrant and expressive vocals, gained acclaim with his June release “Melt Away.” His ability to blend emotional depth with strong stage presence won over fans, keeping him steadfast in second place through late June—and now into early July.
His loyal fanbase continues to show strong support across both streaming platforms and live performances, signaling good momentum heading into the second half of the voting period.
Son Taejin Brings Powerful Vocals and a Comeback Spirit
Son Taejin, known for his rich baritone and classical training, remains a fan favorite. Throughout June, he consistently stayed close to the top, forming a competitive dynamic with Hwang Youngwoong. Now, as Park Jihyun clings to the second spot, Son inches closer, with some fans insisting, “It’s only a matter of time before he takes over.”
Son’s refined performances and commanding stage presence continue to garner strong viewer support in this category.
Hwang Youngwoong in the Lead—but Second Place Could Shift the Game
With 8,026 votes (40.3%), Hwang Youngwoong dominates the rankings, maintaining a significant margin of over 6,000 votes ahead of the second-place contenders. However, voting fluctuations often intensify toward the end of each month. Whoever claims and holds second place between Park Jihyun and Son Taejin could influence overall dynamics, possibly tightening the frontrunner’s lead.
Midpoint Strategy: Can the Runners Maintain Their Momentum?
As the competition enters its midpoint, total participation is expected to spike. This fan-driven voting phase will be critical, not only for Park and Son, but also for other mid-tier contenders like Jinwon (8.0%), Enoch (6.9%), and Jang Minho (6.0%)—all of whom could play spoiler in this nail-biting race.