In the survey of some 1,777 people aged over 13 across the country except for Jeju Island, some 10.3 percent of respondents picked him as their top choice.
Next came versatile young star IU with nine percent, followed by K-pop juggernaut BTS with 4.8 percent. Girl band NewJeans ranked fifth with 3.5 percent while another girl band Blackpink came in tenth with 2.2 percent.
Lim, who became a star overnight after winning cable channel TV Chosun's hit audition program "Mr. Trot" in 2020, remains especially popular among middle-aged Koreans.
His immense popularity has made him one of the most successful singers in the field of Korea's old-style elegiac songs. Lim also has become a highly sought-after model for ads and other endorsement deals, raking in over 23.5 billion won ($16.98 million) last year alone.
As of Wednesday, the singer has garnered a combined 10 billion clicks on Korea's largest music-streaming site Melon, securing the top spot among Korean solo male artists and second only to BTS.
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