Who Will Reign as K-pop’s Timeless Icon?
As of 5:55 PM on July 23, 2025, legendary singer Cho Yongpil—affectionately known as the “King of Pop” in Korea—is leading the Netizen Awards’ Grand Star vote with an impressive 3,308 votes, claiming 31.7% of total support. Despite fierce competition, he’s held onto the top spot throughout the polling period.
Kim Wansun Narrows the Gap—But Not Enough
Right behind him is 1980s dance icon Kim Wansun, sitting in second place with 2,366 votes (22.7%). At one point, Kim appeared to be catching up, riding a mid-month popularity wave. But Cho’s dedicated fanbase rallied once again, preserving his comfortable lead of over 900 votes.
Icons Old and New Fill Out the Top Ten
In third place is hard rock vocalist Kim Kyungho with 1,394 votes (13.4%). Behind him, songstress Lee Sunhee holds fourth place with 1,207 votes (11.6%), followed by trot legend Na Hoon-a with 604 votes (5.8%).
Rounding out the top 10 are timeless names like Nam Jin (538 votes), Kim Jongseo (223 votes), and 90s pop juggernauts Seo Taiji (202 votes) and Lee Seunghwan (140 votes). Ballad king Shin Seunghun closes the list at 103 votes. The mix reflects Korea’s cross-generational love for its music icons—from folk and rock to K-pop and ballads.
Beyond Popularity—It’s About Legacy
The Grand Star Award isn’t just a popularity contest. It’s an homage to cultural impact, long-standing artistry, and fan devotion. In many ways, it’s a battle of musical legacies—those who helped shape and soundtrack Korea’s modern history.
With voting still open and fan clubs mobilizing fast, anything could happen before the final tally. Will Cho Yongpil remain king, or is a surprise upset on the way?
