Hwang Young-woong Reigns Again at Netizen Awards
The results are in, and *trot* (a genre of Korean pop music known for its emotional delivery and retro flair) king Hwang Young-woong has once again secured the top spot at the August 2025 Netizen Awards. His hit track “Knitted Sweater” led the ‘Singer Division – Album Grand Prize’ with a staggering 87,500 votes, claiming 28.6% of the total.
In a genre where loyalty runs deep and competition is fierce, Young-woong’s back-to-back wins say a lot—not only about the strength of his fanbase but also his staying power as a crowd favorite.
A Two-Horse Trot Race? Not Anymore
Coming in at second place was *trot* vocalist Jeong Seo-joo with her sentimental ballad “One Handwritten Letter”, snagging 46,035 votes (15.1%). Her consistent performance places her as Hwang’s main rival in this ballot-powered showdown, making the Netizen Awards a recurring two-top drama series—but with a plot twist.
Enter: Son Bina. Her track “Irony” surprised many by getting 24,364 votes (8.0%), landing her in third and introducing a rising force in the competition. As Bina’s fandom grows, the previously stable power dynamic may soon face a shake-up.
From 4th to 10th: A Symphony of Underdogs
The middle rankings served up some thrilling stat-chasing:
- Son Tae-jin – “SHINE” (23,784 votes, 7.8%)
- Bin Ye-seo – “First Story: Memories” (17,521 votes, 5.7%)
- My Jin – “Recall of Love” (17,425 votes, 5.7%)
Bin and My’s razor-thin vote difference (just 96 votes!) lit fan communities ablaze with voting storms. Meanwhile, relative newcomers and genre experimenters padded the Top 10:
- Park Ji-hyun – “Melting Away” (16,609 votes, 5.4%)
- Enoch – “Kimi wa bara yori Utsukushii” (14,387 votes, 4.7%)
- Jang Min-ho – “Essay ep.3” (14,244 votes, 4.7%)
- Eclipse – “Shower” (7,944 votes, 2.6%)
The Middle Class: Votes Speak Volumes
Mid-tier artists like Hong Isaac with “Unknown Seoul OST Part.4” (7,042 votes) and Park Chang-geun‘s “Poetry Collection 25” (6,437 votes) maintained solid visibility. They were joined by young talent Jeong Dong-won (5,939 votes), who continues to grow as a fan favorite.
Other notable names include:
- Liberante – “PASSIONE” (4,293 votes)
- Yang Ji-eun – “Picnic” (4,053 votes)
- Song Ga-in – “Ga-in; Moon” (3,014 votes)
This level of visibility helps them maintain relevance in a swinging genre known for its veteran stars and young influencers.
Legends and Outliers: From Jo Yong-pil to aespa
In perhaps the most eclectic twist of the list, legendary rocker Jo Yong-pil ranked with his album “20”, pulling in 2,278 votes. Indie darlings Jannabi grabbed 573 votes for their dreamy project “Beautiful Dream”.
But the biggest surprise? K-pop group aespa’s album “Dark Arts” showed up with 22 votes—yes, twenty-two—which somehow still sparked buzz online. Talk about crossover chaos.
More Than A Number: The Power of Fandom
This month’s Netizen Awards prove one thing: whether veteran or rookie, chart-toppers aren’t just made in the studio—they’re built in the fandom trenches. Voting battles, community campaigns, and online rallies turn every number into a story.
“Knitted Sweater” winning big—for the second time—has less to do with streaming counts and more with emotional currency. That’s where Hwang Young-woong shines. His connection with fans isn’t just real—it’s quantifiable.
FAQs
Who won the August 2025 Netizen Awards in the singer category?
Hwang Young-woong won first place in the singer category at the August 2025 Netizen Awards with his track “Knitted Sweater,” gaining 87,500 votes (28.6%).
What is the Netizen Awards?
The Netizen Awards is a fan-voted music ranking where online users (aka netizens) vote for their favorite artists across different categories, heavily influenced by grassroots fandom activity.
Which rising artist made a notable debut in the Top 3?
Son Bina entered the Top 3 with her song “Irony,” marking her emergence as a strong new contender in the trot genre ranking system.
