On October 9, Lim Young Woong‘s latest digital single, “Do or Die,” hit various streaming platforms. The song speaks of becoming the protagonist in one’s life and living with no regrets. Notably, Lim Young Woong had a hand in writing it. Once again, his talent as a singer-songwriter is on full display, following his self-composed songs “London Boy” and “Grain of Sand.”

Lim Young Woong has taken a bold step with “Do or Die,” revealing a side of his artistry that’s distinctly different from his signature style. The 32-year-old musician, best known for his ballads and trot songs, enjoys a vast following among South Korea’s older generation. That’s why the fresh EDM-pop vibe of “Do or Die” caught many off guard. That said, there’s no doubt that it’ll be a huge hit. After all, his fanbase is primarily composed of ahjummas, known for their unwavering support of all his endeavors.

임영웅 ‘Do or Die’ Official M/V

Moreover, Lim Young Woong‘s performance in the song is captivating and powerful. One reviewer noted that he “sounds surprisingly comfortable within this soundscape, his voice matching intensity with the bombastic production.” Netizens are buzzing, wondering how his core audience will react to this change. Some suggest it may draw in a younger demographic, broadening his listener base.

Lim Young Woong wore a spacesuit in the MV

The styling and visuals in the official “Do or Die” music video, which premiered on October 8, also received much attention. It’s a cinematic masterpiece that transports viewers to an otherworldly realm. It opens with a scene featuring Lim Young Woong clad in a spacesuit and segues to dynamic dance sequences with backup dancers. His intense gaze and the expansive backdrop featuring cosmic vistas and spaceships came together to create something reminiscent of a blockbuster movie. Again, it’s markedly different from anything he’s ever done. 

The highly-anticipated music video was helmed by Flipevil, a director known for his artistic flair and top-notch production. He has worked with many K-pop artists, including SEVENTEEN (“Dream”) and TWICE (“Set Me Free”).

2023 IM HERO TOUR TEASER

Besides the song and music video, fans eagerly await Lim Young Woong‘s upcoming IM HERO tour. The tour is set to begin in Seoul on the 27th. It will then proceed to Daegu from November 24-26, Busan from December 8-10, and Daejeon from December 29-31. The tour will wrap up in Gwangju from January 5-7, 2024. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The ‘Do or Die’ music video has a futuristic feel. Source: YouTube/@LYW_official.