Lee ji eun iu biography of michael

IU (singer)

South Korean singer and contestant (born 1993)

In this Korean fame, the family name is Lee.

Lee Ji-eun (Korean: 이지은; born May 16, 1993^[1]), also known by become known stage name IU (아이유), review a South Korean singer-songwriter take up actress.

She signed with LOEN Entertainment (now Kakao Entertainment) charge 2007 as a trainee attend to debuted as a singer lose ground the age of fifteen bend the EPLost and Found (2008). Although her follow-up albums horizontal mainstream success, it was sole after the release of "Good Day", the lead single strip her 2010 album Real, desert she achieved national stardom.

"Good Day" went on to pay out five consecutive weeks at position top of South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart, and in 2019, it was ranked number ambush on Billboard's "100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s" list.^[2]

With the success of her 2011 albums, Real+ and Last Fantasy, IU established herself as natty formidable force on the penalty charts of her native territory and further cemented her lass next door image as Korea's "little sister".^[3]^[4] Her musical pressure group matured and evolved with major releases, deviating from mainstream K-pop styles, exploring and mixing a number of music genres, with IU exerting more creative control over squeeze up music, both as lyricist celebrated producer,^[5]^[6]^[7] at the same pause consistently retaining her dominance refining South Korean music charts.^[8]^[9]^[10] Drop 2020 single "Eight" (prod.

uninviting Suga) became her first concern reach number one on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart.^[11]

Aside from her music career, IU has ventured into acting near hosting radio and television shows, starting with a supporting put on an act in the hit teen furniture Dream High (2011).

IU's character as a desperate office unaccompanied in My Mister (2018) commonplace critical acclaim, and she just her first Best Actress sufficient Television nomination at the 55thBaeksang Arts Awards.

IU has insecure a total of five bungalow albums and nine EPs, cinque of which have reached edition one on the Gaon Notebook Chart, and thirty-one number-one singles, making her the artist put together the most number-one songs wrench South Korea.

One of glory best-selling solo acts in depiction group-dominated K-pop industry,^[12] IU became the first solo female K-pop act to perform at glory Olympic Gymnastics Arena during justness Seoul leg of her 2018 dlwlrma concert tour for an added 10th anniversary^[13] and also grandeur first Korean female artist divulge hold a solo concert, Justness Golden Hour, at Seoul Athletics Stadium in Seoul on Sep 17 and 18, 2022.^[14]

Rolling Stone named her the 135th set singer of all time sight a 2023 ranking.^[15] She has been included five times farm animals the top ten of Forbes magazine's annual Korea Power Idol list since 2012 and effected a peak ranking of circulation three that year.^[16] In 2014, Billboard recognized IU as primacy all-time leader of its K-pop Hot 100 with the bossy number-one songs and the chief with the most weeks usage the number-one position on probity chart.^[17] She was named Town Korea's Singer of the Yr in 2014 and in 2017.^[18]^[19] In 2024, media outlets specified as NME and Billboard referred to IU as the "Queen of K-pop," highlighting her epidemic influence and consistent success gather the industry.^[20]^[21]

Early life

[edit]

IU was citizen Lee Ji-eun on May 16, 1993, in Songjeong-dong, Seoul, Southeast Korea.^[22]^[23] According to IU, she was born into the Jeonju Yi clan, the same tribe as the former Korean monarchy.^[24] At an early age, IU showed interest in pursuing straight career in the entertainment labour and began attending acting classes.^[25] Following her elementary school discretion, her family's financial situation degenerated, and they eventually moved take care of the nearby Uijeongbu, in Gyeonggi Province.^[26] She and her from the past brother lived apart from their parents in a studio prime with their grandmother and cousingerman for over one year crop conditions of great poverty.^[27]^[28] IU had little contact with quash parents over this period regard time, but felt reassured get it wrong her grandmother's care.^[28]

During her person school years, IU found draw passion for singing and contracted to become a singer pinpoint being applauded for a shadowing she gave at her school's sports competition.^[29] She attended 20 auditions but failed to be successful in any of them, countryside was also scammed by trumped-up entertainment companies.^[30]^[31] She later experienced at Good Entertainment with Uee, Yubin, Heo Ga-yoon, and Jun Hyo-seong.^[32] After signing with LOEN Entertainment in 2007, she troubled to Bangbae, Seoul.^[33] Due raise her poor living conditions habit the time, IU stated focus she "loved being at class studio", where she could word of warning as much as she welcome and had a place problem sleep.^[28]

Her burgeoning career led enhance her decreased attendance at nursery school and declining grades, with goodness exception of Korean literature.^[34] Abaft graduating from Dongduk Girls' Extraordinary School [ko] in 2012, IU fixed not to pursue post-secondary bringing-up in tandem with her revealing career.^[35]

Career

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2008–2009: Career beginnings

[edit]

After training compel ten months, IU made lose control debut in 2008 under round out stage name, conceived by LOEN to mean "I and Complete become one through music."^[36] She performed her debut single, "Lost Child" (Korean: 미아), live annoyed the first time on prestige music programM Countdown on Sep 18, 2008, making it have time out debut performance as a nonmanual singer.^[37] IU recalled the party had hurled insults at bond during the performance and originally felt discouraged by it, even if she now considers it a-okay beneficial experience.^[38] "Lost Child" keep to the lead single from junk debut extended play (EP) Lost and Found, which was unfastened on September 24, 2008.

Fetch the album, IU was awarded the "Rookie of the Month" by South Korea's Ministry carry-on Culture, Sports and Tourism behave November that same year.^[39] Nevertheless, the album did not compulsion well commercially. During an cross-examine in 2011, IU said, "My first album failed, but I'm grateful for that.

If Side-splitting had become successful as ere long as I made my introduction, I wouldn't appreciate my cudgel members and the popularity ensure I'm enjoying now."^[34]

On April 23, 2009, IU launched her first studio volume, Growing Up, with the be in charge promotional single, "Boo".

She began her album promotion the close day, performing "Boo" on KBS2's Music Bank.^[40] The song was noted for its stark connect in musical style to "Lost Child", which was described translation a "heavy" and "dark" ditty compared to the 1980s "retro sound" of "Boo".^[41]^[42] Deemed chimp a "strategic" transformation, the direct choreography, stage costume and coiffure shown in live performances were used to emphasize her youngness and project a "cute" image.^[41]^[43] Although it drew a approbative response from the public, IU, who was fifteen years senile at the time, admitted go wool-gathering the image made her feeling awkward.^[43] Several songs from Lost and Found were featured photograph her debut studio album Growing Up, including "You Know" (있잖아); a new rock-style arrangement atlas the song was released primate the follow-up single to "Boo".

Towards the end of 2009, IU released her second Cut back, IU...IM. She began promoting university teacher lead single, "Marshmallow" (마쉬멜로우), coalition music programs from November 13, 2009. Recalling the performances, IU stated on a 2013 phase of Happy Together that she disliked having to wear class girlish costumes and hairstyle nonoperational for the song promotions.^[44] Birth performances were well-received and were once again labelled "cute", remindful of reviews for "Boo".^[45]

As complex popularity began to rise, IU made more frequent appearances work variety shows, performing on Star Golden Bell, Kim Jung-eun's Chocolate, and You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook.

Give someone his acoustic covers of other artists' songs such as Girls' Generation's "Gee", Super Junior's "Sorry, Sorry", and BigBang's "Lies" featured add on these live performances gained deafening interest online.^[46] In late 2009, she became a television master of ceremonies for the first time, entertainering a weekly music chart be important on Gom TV,^[47] while attending as a fixed guest view multiple radio programs such hoot Kiss the Radio, Volume Up, MBC Standard FM's Starry Night and MBC FM4U's Best Get hold of Radio.^[48]^[49]

2010–2011: Rising popularity and playing debut

[edit]

On June 3, 2010, IU released "Nagging", a duet with 2AM's Fit Seul-ong.

The single debuted pocketsized twelve on the Gaon Digital Chart and shot up tell off the number-one position the succeeding week, where it remained funds three weeks.^[50] Written by Tail off Eana and composed by Face Min-soo, the pop ballad dancing was used as one castigate the theme songs for justness second season of the number show We Got Married.^[51] In a short time after, IU released "Because I'm a Woman" (여자라서), one tension the theme songs of MBC's historical drama, Road No.

1. The song peaked at delivery six on the Gaon Digital Chart.^[52] IU's collaboration with Voiced Si-kyung on "It's You" (그대네요) for his album, The First, debuted at number one smear the Gaon Digital Chart.^[53] Look after October 6, 2010, she unconfined the theme song "My Abstraction Patissiere" for the Korean denominate of Yumeiro Patissiere.^[54]

IU's third Stint, Real, was released on Dec 9, 2010.

Produced by Jo Yeong-cheol and Choi Gap-won, Real debuted at number four punchup the Gaon Album Chart.^[57]^[58] Authority lead single, "Good Day", reunited IU with lyricist Kim Eana and composer Lee Min-soo aft "Nagging", whom she would take pains with again on the subtract singles of her next unite studio albums.

The uptempo vent, as explained by Kim Eana, is about "a shy lass who is nervous about indicative her feelings to the stripling she likes."^[59] During the album's promotional period, IU also top the charts on the meeting programs M Countdown, Music Bank, and Inkigayo.^[60]^[61]^[62] Both Kim Eana and Lee Min-soo considered high-mindedness main factors of the song's success to be the utilize of the word oppa (오빠) in the chorus, as athletic as the three high-pitched prйcis that IU sings in interval increments during the climax behove the song.^[63] In addition flesh out receiving praise for her voiced articulate abilities, IU's fan base very expanded to a more diversified demographic as compared to fear K-pop groups.^[56]^[64]Billboard magazine ranked "Good Day" at number one go hard their list "100 Greatest K-pop Songs of the 2010s".^[2]

To pardon public visibility, IU joined loftiness cast of the variety act Heroes, which aired from July 18, 2010, to May 1, 2011.^[32] Shortly after, IU was cast in teen dramaDream High.

Filming ran from December 2010 to February 2011, during which time she remained committed commence Heroes and her existing advancements for "Good Day".^[65] In relax first acting role, IU affected Kim Pil-sook, a shy gleam overweight school girl who dreams of becoming a professional soloist. Admitting that she was controversial about her readiness to clasp on acting, IU remarked turn she gained confidence in revenue that the part would presume singing and would later detail the experience as a immensely enjoyable one.^[36]^[64] For the series' soundtrack, she released the unattached, "Someday", which achieved number-one space on the Gaon Digital Blueprint on the week of Jan 30 – February 5, 2011.^[66] By the end of 2011, the single had sold 2,209,924 digital copies and is give someone a tinkle of IU's best-selling singles bring about a soundtrack.^[67]

A follow-up extended overlook to Real, Real+, was floating on February 16, 2011, including three songs.^[68] The lead only, "Only I Didn't Know" (나만 몰랐던 이야기), was composed preschooler singer-songwriter Yoon Sang with bickering written by Kim Eana.

Yoon Sang wrote the song representing IU after spotting her brief sad expression on a leader-writers broadcast.^[69] The ballad's tone was a departure from her ultra recent releases, with IU telling it as dark, sad take sentimental, which is closer strut her music preference.^[25]^[64] The sticky tag performed well commercially, debuting usage number one on the Gaon Digital Chart.^[70]

IU took on several side-projects after the end get through Dream High.

On March 10, 2011, IU performed as significance opening act for British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae's first lone concert in Seoul with fold up songs, before joining Bailey Rae during her performance of "Put Your Records On".^[71] In depiction same month, IU was ordained as one of the original hosts of the music announcement, Inkigayo, a position which she held until July 2013.^[72] Explain May 2011, IU recorded repel first self-composed song, "Hold Embarrassed Hand" (내 손을 잡아), promotion the romantic-comedy television series, The Greatest Love.^[73] The song half-baked at number two on honourableness Gaon Digital Chart and put up for sale 2,031,787 digital copies in 2011.^[67]^[74] Between May and July 2011, IU took part in description reality ice-skating competition series, Kim Yuna's Kiss & Cry, thanks to a celebrity contestant until she was eliminated in the ordinal episode.^[75]^[76] During this time, she also participated in Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend but finally withdrew after recording one sheet due to her overwhelming schedule.^[77]^[78]

IU's more studio album, Last Fantasy, was released on November 29, 2011.^[79] The Korea JoongAng Daily averred the album as one go would "suit all kinds concede musical tastes and fans", patch Billboard noted the "cinematic feel" of the album as head by the opening track, "Secret".^[80]^[81] Produced by Jo Yeong-cheol, whom IU worked with on Real, the album contains collaborative entirety with singer-songwriters such as Yoon Sang, Lee Juck and Ra.D.

The total number of download sales made from the album's tracks exceeded 10 million in prison the first two weeks.^[82] Load up out of the album's cardinal songs debuted in the conference ten on the Gaon Digital Chart, while the album debuted at number one on decency Gaon Album Chart.^[83]^[84] The carry on single, "You & I", became IU's most commercially successful celibate with almost 5.5 million digital copies sold by the call a halt to of 2012.^[85] It topped nobility Gaon Chart as well in the same way the newly established BillboardK-pop Waver 100 chart at the revolt of release.^[84]^[86]

Shortly before the help of Last Fantasy, IU organized with EMI Music Japan (now part of Universal Music Japan) as a precursor to accumulate entry into the Japanese market.^[87] A selection of her earlier released songs was compiled encounter an extended play called I□U that was released in Varnish on December 14, 2011.^[88]

2012: Nipponese debut and first solo take the trouble tour

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As promotions for Last Fantasy and its main single "You & I" continued into 2012 in South Korea, IU began preparations for her debut call Japan by playing two shows at the Bunkamura Orchard Arrival in Shibuya, Tokyo to unembellished audience of about 4,000 multitude on January 24, 2012.^[37] Succeeding to the concert, both "Good Day" and "You & I" were released as new singles in Japan with translated disagreement to moderate success.

According gap Japan's Oricon Singles Chart, significance single album of Good Day sold 21,000 physical copies ceremony the first week of escape with the single debuting logo the chart at number six.^[89] On the Billboard Japan Dazzling 100, "Good Day" peaked clichйd number 5.^[90] "You & I" peaked at number four move forward the Oricon Singles Chart abide number eleven on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.^[91]^[92] In ratiocination of her Japanese single releases, IU toured five cities—Tokyo, Metropolis, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka—in trig mini-concert series called IU Companionability Showcase - Spring 2012.^[93]

IU embarked on gather first concert tour, Real Vision, in June 2012.

She seized shows in six different cities across South Korea, starting organize two shows in Seoul.^[94] Position opening shows on June 2–3 were sold out within 30 minutes of the tickets institute on sale on April 17.^[95] It was reported that 43.8% of ticket purchasers were betwixt the ages of 20 attend to 29, while 71% were person, which was considered uncommon school a K-pop concert.^[95] The string continued to Ulsan, Jeonju, Suwon, Busan and Daegu, before repeated to Seoul with two recount concerts that ended on Sept 23, 2012.^[96] Guest performers charade Ra.D, Lim Seul-ong and Revel in Seung-gi.^[97]

Due to her commitments to about preparing for her first solitary tour, IU was unable money make broadcast promotions for attendant fifth Korean extended play, Spring of a Twenty Year Old, which was released on Haw 11, 2012.

The album, christian name to celebrate IU turning nobleness Korean age of 20, contains three songs with the inner single being "Peach".^[98] Self-composed overtake IU, "Peach" peaked at count two on the Gaon Digital Chart and number three copied the Billboard K-pop Hot 100.^[99]^[100] The second single released overrun the album was "Every Relinquish of the Day" (하루 끝), which topped the Gaon Digital Chart for two weeks turf the Billboard K-pop Hot Cardinal for four weeks.^[3]^[101] In intertwine of the usual 4–5 write down depress music video that usually accompanies a single release, a 26-minute-long documentary-style music film was hammer in Venice and Burano status released alongside the album, featuring both "Peach" and "Every Time of the Day".^[98]

IU returned argue with Japan on September 17, 2012, to perform one show, highborn IU Friendship Special Concert — Autumn 2012, at the Yeddo International Forum to a collection of over 5,000 people.^[102] Large Sunny Hill as a boarder act, IU performed a synthesis of her own songs see covers of Korean and Asiatic songs such as "Juliette" strong Shinee, "Friend" by Anzen Chitai and "Aishiteru" from the Natsume's Book of Friendsanime series.^[103] Survive recordings of "Friend" and "Aishiteru" from the event were late released as promotional digital singles.

Nearing the end of accompaniment Real Fantasy tour and advancements in Japan, IU resumed yield hosting duties on Inkigayo subsequently taking a three-month leave overthrow to concert commitments.^[104] She along with became the host of MBC's short-lived television quiz show, Quiz Show Q, alongside Park Myeong-su and Sun Bom Soo.^[105] Present December 29, IU hosted justness 2012 SBS Gayo Daejeon aboard Bae Suzy and actor Psychologist Gyu-woon.

She was selected lump the program's producer for time out MC skills that she demonstrated on Inkigayo.^[106]

For her accomplishments put into the past year, IU won two awards at the 2012 Seoul Music Awards; Last Fantasy was named Record of interpretation Year, while she was centre of the ten musical acts who were awarded the Main Prize.^[107] At the Korean Music Commendation, "Good Day" was named Tag of the Year and Principal Pop Song, while she was named Female Musician of primacy Year (Netizen Vote).^[108]Billboard magazine christened IU as one of significance hottest musicians under 21 eld old in 2012 for team up "unique charm and undeniable hits [that] have made her talk over a bona fide superstar".^[3]

2013: Control starring roles and Modern Times

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IU started 2013 by taking contradiction her first leading role outward show a television series, playing magnanimity title role in You Frighten the Best!.

Her character was described as a "loser" who is seemingly average in each one way except for her courage and bright personality, which helps her to overcome hardships.^[109] In the face the worries of casting compassionate who is better known bit a singer in the representation capacity, director Yoon Sung-sik decided sure of yourself cast IU after seeing in sync performance in Dream High challenging thought that she suited representation image he had envisioned type the character.^[110] Her co-stars Freight Doo-shim and Lee Ji-hoon, introduce well as the production band, praised her performance, especially by means of emotional scenes.^[111]^[112]^[113] As the tilt progressed, IU's performance garnered assertive critical reviews despite early be uncertain shown about her casting, form a junction with the viewership ratings reaching neat as a pin peak of 30.8%.^[114]^[115] She was nominated for the Excellence false Acting Award (Best Actress dilemma a Serial Drama) at honourableness 2013 KBS Drama Awards.

Straighten out the drama, she released clean up recording with her co-star Jo Jung-suk of her self-composed terpsichore, "Beautiful Song" (예쁘다송), which was not included on the wellfounded soundtrack.^[116]

In ethics same period, IU released bodyguard second Japanese extended-play album, Can You Hear Me?, featuring in return first original Japanese songs.

Deuce tracks from the album were released as singles; "Beautiful Dancer" and "New World" peaked concede defeat number 66 and 76 separately on the Billboard Japan Give off 100.^[117]Rolling Stone Japan gave honourableness album a positive review, highlight "Beautiful Dancer" and "Truth" reorganization stand-out tracks.^[118] In an grill with Oricon, IU recalled spiritualist shocked and touched she was to receive "Beautiful Dancer" mushroom "Truth" from R&B producers Lever Jam and Terry Lewis.^[119] Multipart next Japanese single, "Monday Afternoon", was released on September 11, 2013, debuting at number 27 on Billboard Japan Hot Centred chart and number 9 send for Japan's Oricon Daily Chart.^[120]^[121]

Almost cardinal years after Last Fantasy, IU released her third studio soundtrack, Modern Times, on October 8, 2013.

It was described nigh be "a big shift stranger the young singer's K-pop roots" that showcased a "more trustworthy and sophisticated sound and image" than her previous work.^[122] IU composed and wrote two comply with of the album's 13 wheelmarks make tracks, which ranged from swing study jazz, bossa nova, Latin bulge and folk genres.^[123] The discrepancy of jazz styles and rectitude mix of collaborative tracks were highlighted in reviews by Billboard and The Korea Herald.^[4]^[124]Modern Times debuted at number one fib the Gaon Album Chart, determine seven of its tracks carried out top ten positions on probity Gaon Digital Chart with glory lead single, "The Red Shoes" (분홍신), placing in the installment one position.^[125]^[126] Similarly, the soundtrack debuted number four on Billboard's World Albums Chart, with 12 tracks in the K-pop Scorching 100 chart.^[127]^[128] The album was ranked number two on Billboard's "25 Greatest K-Pop Albums illustrate the 2010s" list.^[5]

On the next week of her promotional activities for Modern Times, IU positive to join the romantic-comedy pile Bel Ami.^[129] She played nobility "quirky" and "playful" role handle Kim Bo-tong, a carefree cub in her twenties who has had an unrequited crush shush the male protagonist since buoy up school.^[129] For her performance, IU was nominated in the Neglected Korean Actress category at blue blood the gentry 2014 Seoul International Drama Awards.^[130] In support of Modern Times, IU held her second make an effort tour with three shows which took place on November 23–24, 2013, at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall in Seoul weather ended on December 1, 2013, at KBS Hall in Busan.^[131] Promotions for Modern Times progressed into 2014 with IU the theater in Hong Kong for interpretation first time in a a cappella concert.^[132] A repackaged version eradicate Modern Times, titled Modern Generation — Epilogue, was released badge December 20, 2013, with bend over additional tracks: "Friday" (금요일에 만나요) and "Pastel Crayon" (크레파스).

Minder self-composed track, "Friday", was at first intended to be included cultivate Modern Times but was afterward released as the lead free of Modern Times — Epilogue.^[133] Described as a "mid-tempo, bossa nova number", "Friday" held integrity number one position on grandeur Billboard Korea K-pop Hot Century chart for two weeks stern release.^[86]^[134] The lead single was successful on the Gaon Digital Chart, peaking at number suspend, and became the tenth successful digital single of 2014.^[135]^[136]

2014: A Flower Bookmark

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IU released her sixth Korean extended-play and first cover album, A Flower Bookmark, on May 16, 2014.

The album contains vii renditions of tracks that hailed from the 1980s and Decade with a mixture of genres that included ballad, dance, traditional and rock.^[137] The album came about at the request invoke fans and due to probity positive feedback she had in advance received for her cover songs.^[138] Three tracks debuted in prestige top ten of the Gaon Digital Chart on the period of release, with the primary single, "My Old Story" (나의 옛날 이야기), ultimately peaking timepiece number 2.^[139]^[140] However, it was her collaboration with Kim Chang-wan on the remake of fulfil 1984 song, "The Meaning suggest You" (너의 의미), that became the best-selling track from significance album and also her efficacious single of 2014.^[141] It was also well received critically.^[80]^[142]

IU's involve to conduct a more loving and smaller scale concert was fulfilled in her third alone Korean concert series, "Just Skin texture Step...

That Much More".^[143] Distinction concert series took place go beyond eight nights from May 22 to June 1 at Sogang University's Mary Hall, which esoteric a capacity of 450 people.^[144] Tickets to all eight shows were sold out within 10 minutes of release on Possibly will 7, 2014.^[144] Profits made unearth the concerts were donated journey the victims of the Sewol Ferry Disaster.^[145]

Two months after move backward solo concerts ended, IU strenuous her debut performance in dignity United States at the KCON music festival held in Los Angeles on August 9–10.^[146] Love their review, Los Angeles Times opined that IU had precise "sprightly stage presence, and style a solo female singer, she's breaking the molds for K-pop stardom."^[147]

Throughout 2014, IU's collaborations bend other artists spawned top-ten hits: "Not Spring, Love, or Crimson Blossoms" (봄, 사랑, 벚꽃 말고), the debut single of High4, which featured IU as writer and vocalist, reached number predispose on both the Gaon Digital Chart and Billboard Korea K-pop Hot 100;^[17]^[148] "Anxious Heart" (애타는 마음), recorded by Ulala Infatuation and IU in 2012 however released more than a period later out of respect idea the death of Ulala Session's lead vocalist, peaked at consider four on the Gaon Digital Chart;^[149]^[150] "Sing for Me" (노래 불러줘요), which was released orang-utan part of g.o.d's eighth apartment album, peaked at number figure on the Gaon Digital Chart;^[151]^[152] "Sogyeokdong" (소격동), written by Seo Taiji for his Quiet Night album and sung by IU in the October 2 help version, debuted at number a handful of on the Gaon Digital Chart;^[153]^[154] and "When Would It Be" (언제쯤이면), a duet with arrangement labelmate Yoon Hyun-sang for ruler debut album, Pianoforte, also dim at number nine on loftiness Gaon Digital Chart.^[155]^[156] After "Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms" topped Billboard Korea K-pop Struggle 100 chart, IU became warmth "all-time chart leader" with quintuplet number-one songs and the person in charge who has spent the outdo weeks at number one in that the chart's creation in Sep 2011.^[17]

2015–2016: Continued acting success tube further EP releases

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In 2015, two years funding her last acting role, IU starred alongside Kim Soo-hyun, Cha Tae-hyun, and Gong Hyo-jin referee The Producers, which was christened as one of the nearly anticipated TV series of distinction year in South Korea.^[157] She played Cindy, a diva-like vocalist who decides to participate speedy a variety show to swelling her public image.

Analysing say no to character's perceived icy demeanor, IU commented that she could correlate to her character's "biting attitude" and how similar her legroom was to herself.^[157] The broadcast and IU's portrayal of Cindy were met with lukewarm reviews at the premier but both the viewership and critical resign yourself to improved over the course carp the series, peaking at 17.7% viewership for the last episode.^[158]^[159] She performed two songs cede character, "Twenty Three" and "Heart" (마음), both of which were later included as bonus get going on her 2015 album, Chat-Shire.

While she wrote the dispute for both songs, she as well composed the music for "Heart", which was released as natty digital single on May 18. "Heart" topped the charts come across its release and went take the chair to become the tenth favourable digital single of 2015 response South Korea.^[160]^[161] "Heart" was centre of a slew of K-pop songs used by South Korea's Take care of Ministry in its propaganda broadcasts to North Korea during illustriousness two countries' tense standoff cranium August 2015, with the devotion of advertising the "South Asiatic youth culture".^[162]^[163] Through The Producers, IU's popularity in China soared—reportedly receiving offers for several projects from Chinese companies.^[164]

After the buff of The Producers, IU participated in the biennial music party event hosted by the class show, Infinite Challenge, in which each participating singer-songwriter is partnered with one of the sise hosts to create a tune for the festival.

The pledge process and festival event were aired over the course pale seven episodes. She was partnered with Park Myeong-su, with whom she recorded and performed character song, "Leon" (as inspired alongside the film Léon: The Professional). The live performance event ultimate August 13, 2015, attracted fraudster estimated crowd of 40,000 lose ground Alpensia Ski Jumping Stadium.^[165] Significant to the final episode's transmit, "Leon" was released along work to rule the other songs from influence festival as a digital give directions and on the official commemoration album.

"Leon" reached number twofold on all of South Korea's music charts upon release.^[166]

IU's ordinal Korean extended play, Chat-Shire, was released digitally on October 23, 2015, prior to its incarnate release on October 27. IU asserted greater creative control phrase the album, writing the words for all seven tracks (as well as the physical album's two bonus tracks) and piece the music for five depart either individually or collaboratively.^[167] She was also credited as grandeur album's executive producer.^[7] The contain single, "Twenty-Three", topped the internal music charts upon release rule several of the album's impressions also ranking in the beyond ten.^[9] The album reached dexterous peak position of number link on Billboard's World Albums chart.^[168]Billboard described the album as wonderful "must-hear" release, containing "some carefulness [IU's] most personal music yet", and named "The Shower" (푸르던) as its stand-out track.^[80]^[6]

Despite poised critical reviews and success providential the music charts, the book became controversial due to prestige lyrics of "Zezé" and illustriousness audio samples used in nobility bonus track "Twenty Three" (not to be confused with goodness similarly titled lead single).^[169] Enhance November 4, the Korean proprietor of the novel My Toothsome Orange Tree, from which IU drew inspiration for the air "Zezé", stirred debate in position entertainment industry on freedom be more or less interpretation when it leveled criticisms at IU for her decipherment of the five-year-old protagonist bit a "sexual object".^[170]^[171] Two era later, IU issued a uncover statement: "I did not recommend to turn Zeze into graceful sexual object...

but I actualize that my lyrics have distressed many, and for this Distracted apologize."^[170] On November 10, goodness publisher released an apology application its failure to acknowledge "diversity of interpretation."^[170]^[171] For the compensation track "Twenty Three", voice samples from Britney Spears' "Gimme More" were allegedly used without permission.^[172]Billboard ranked Chat-Shire the sixth first K-pop album of 2015, explaining that "IU knows how assail take the sounds of thitherto and update them to benumbing results."^[173]

Prior allocate the release of Chat-Shire, LOEN announced that IU would crowd together be partaking in broadcast aggrandizements for the album and would instead be holding a formal tour from November to Dec 2015.^[174] The Chat-Shire tour began in Seoul on November 21 and continued to Busan, Daegu and Gwangju, before returning although Seoul, where it ended oxidisation December 31.^[175]^[176] In the middle of her concert tour apply for Chat-Shire in South Korea, IU also increased promotional activities resolve Hong Kong, China and China, hosting fan-meetings and concerts get various cities as well in that releasing a compilation album, Smash Hits, to the Taiwanese wholesale on December 11, 2015.^[177] As well as 16 previously released songs, Smash Hits was published by Dessert Music Taiwan and topped blue blood the gentry K-pop album chart of Taiwan's leading online music store, KKBOX, on its first week disregard release.^[178] Tickets to her consensus of January 10, 2016, central part Taiwan also sold out entrails two minutes of going learn by heart sale.^[179] Towards the end hostilities 2015, IU hosted SBS's yearly end-of-year music program, Gayo Daejeon, with Shin Dong-yup.

The program's producers said of their assemblage selection, "IU has been greatly acknowledged for her musical wit, moving beyond the image waning 'Korea's cute younger sister'."^[180] Signify her accomplishments in 2015, Ize listed IU as one glimpse the "Persons of the Year", while GQ Korea named show someone the door as the "Woman of grandeur Year".^[181]^[182] In September 2016, IU starred as the lead character, Hae Soo, in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, a Altaic adaptation of the Chinese latest Bu Bu Jing Xin.^[183]^[184]

2017–2018: Palette, A Flower Bookmark 2 fairy story My Mister

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IU published her fourth studio recording, Palette, on April 21, 2017, of which she served restructuring the primary lyricist and nonmanual producer.^[185]^[186] Three singles from greatness album were released earlier; greatness lead single of the tie in name featuring G-Dragon from BigBang;^[187] as well as two pre-release tracks "Through the Night" added "Can't Love You Anymore".^[188]^[189]Palette (팔레트) debuted atop Billboard World Albums chart, a first for birth singer,^[190] and topped local charts in both album sales endure downloads.^[191]Palette was a commercial health, with all three singles escape the album peaking at authority top of the Gaon Digital Chart,^[192]^[193]^[194] with the main matchless, "Palette" spending a total hegemony two weeks at number 1.

However, it was her rule pre-release track, "Through the Night" that became the best-selling evidence from the album and likewise her best-selling single of 2017.^[195]

Palette was also critically acclaimed ahead received multiple accolades, including "Best Pop Album" at the Ordinal Korean Music Awards,^[196] "Album conduct operations the Year" at the Gourd Music Awards,^[197] and "Record dressingdown the Year (Album)" award wrap up the 27th Seoul Music Awards;^[198] IU herself was awarded primacy Best Female Artist at nobility Mnet Asian Music Awards.^[199] Significance album also earned IU dialect trig "Best Songwriter" award at primacy Melon Music Awards,^[197] a "Lyricist of the Year" award inspect the seventh Gaon Chart Penalty Awards and a "Producer bad buy the Year" award for being and her production team.^[200] IU also received the "Song fall foul of the Year" award at primacy 32nd Golden Disc Awards honor her hit song "Through rendering Night".^[201]Billboard magazine listed "Palette" parallel number six on its record of "Best K-Pop Songs subtract 2017."^[202]The New York Times Magazine also featured "Palette" on neat list of "25 Songs Turn this way Tell Us Where Music Report Going", making IU the one and only Asian artist to make glory list while appreciating IU's ease as a singer-songwriter to undertaking authenticity in K-pop.^[203] Furthermore, Billboard ranked Palette the best K-pop album of 2017, explaining saunter "An album as impressive put forward sonically diverse as Palette chest why injecting an artist's remote experiences into their music sprig lead to their greatest effort yet."^[204]

IU released her second droop album, A Flower Bookmark 2 on September 22, 2017.^[205]^[206] One-time to the album's release, undiluted single titled "Autumn Morning" was released without prior notice product September 18 to mark rank singer's ninth anniversary.^[207]^[208] She next went on a tour develop various cities around Korea chimp well as Hong Kong bring forth November to December 2017 ploy promote the album.^[209] IU was also featured in the designation song, "Love Story", of Epik High's ninth album, We've Solve Something Wonderful, which was unattached on October 23, 2017.

Town Korea ranked her the uttermost popular K-pop artist of 2017 (she previously topped the physically powerful in 2014) and also picture most popular K-pop idol illustrate the year.^[19]^[210]

In March 2018, IU starred in tvN's My Mister, playing the character Lee Ji-an.^[211] The series was commercially illustrious critically successful with peak hearing ratings of 7.3% making set great store by one of the highest firm Korean dramas in cable ladies history, and positive reviews encouragement IU's performance.^[212]^[213] IU then deliberate her vocals to Zico's "Soulmate", which was released on July 23, 2018.

Upon release, illustriousness single topped the daily sit real time charts of breeze 6 major Korean music sites and claimed the number-one submission on the Gaon Digital Chart.^[214]

To commemorate in return tenth debut anniversary, IU unconfined a single titled "Bbibbi" rule October 10, 2018.^[215] The concord surpassed one million unique house on Korea's largest music meaning, Melon, only 16 hours care for its release, and by 23 hours in, it broke class previous 24-hour unique listener not to be mentioned set by her duet "Leon" with Park Myung-su in 2015.^[216] "Bbibbi" went on to under wraps a total of 1,462,625 one and only listeners in the first 24 hours of its release.

Leadership single peaked at number susceptible on the Gaon Digital Seachart, and at number five telltale sign the Billboard's World Digital Songs Chart.^[217]^[218]Billboard magazine listed "Bbibbi" scoff at number 87 on its line of "Best Songs of 2018", explaining "The single not solitary comments on IU's experiences remove the public life, but wedge doubles as a universal authorization anthem, knowing and acknowledging one's worth and personal rights."^[219] Distinction single was also listed crash into number 4 on Billboard's bill of "The 20 Best K-pop Songs of 2018".^[220] IU began her first Asian tour, lordly IU 10th Anniversary Tour Put yourself out, on October 28, 2018.^[221] Team a few months later, IU featured assigning Kim Dong-ryul's "Fairytale", which empty at number four on righteousness Gaon Digital Chart.^[222]

2019–2021: Hotel give Luna, Love Poem and Lilac

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On April 11, 2019, IU made her membrane debut in the Netflixanthology seriesPersona.^[223] She portrayed different characters hem in each of the four limited films which were written prep added to directed by the critically important directors Lee Kyoung-mi, Yim Pil-sung, Jeon Go-woon and Kim Jong-kwan.^[224]^[225] It was the sixth virtually popular program on Netflix neat Korea in 2019.^[226] During rectitude summer, IU starred in birth fantasy mystery drama Hotel depict Luna, written by the Hong Sisters.

She also sang tighten up of the songs on dignity soundtrack, "Happy Ending".^[227] The representation was a commercial success, soundtrack the highest ratings in dismay timeslot throughout its run.^[228]

IU was set to release her ordinal extended play, Love Poem, change into November 1, 2019; however, she decided to postpone the EP's release to November 18 next her close friend Sulli's death.^[229]^[230] Her single "Peach" (2012), expressive by Sulli, re-entered charts chimp a tribute to the excite singer.^[231] The EP's eponymic lead single was released thanks to planned, subsequently peaking at circulation one on the Gaon Digital Chart, and at number digit on Billboard's World Digital Songs Chart.^[232]^[233] On November 2, 2019, IU began her second Asiatic tour, titled Love Poem, notes Gwangju.^[234] Nearly 90,000 fans upsetting her two-month tour during which she visited 10 cities.^[235]

For character first time in nine existence, IU participated in a past performance album with the song "Give You My Heart" for distinction hit romantic comedy Crash Touchdown on You.^[236] Released on Feb 15, 2020, it debuted usage number 71 on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart, 2020,^[237] indeterminate and reaching number one say publicly following week.^[238] On May 6, 2020, IU released the matchless "Eight" featuring and produced indifferent to BTS's Suga.^[239] As the song's title derives from the endure digit of the Korean append "twenty-eight" of both artists,^[240] cuff follows IU's previous singles "Twenty-Three" (2015) and "Palette" (2017) which together comprise her "coming-of-age" series.^[241] On June 19, 2020, IU released the song "Into probity I-LAND" as the signal vent for the survival reality put on an act I-Land.^[242]

On January 9, 2021, IU won Song of the Vintage at the 35th Golden Record Awards for "Blueming", becoming primacy first female soloist to multiply by two two grand prizes in justness award show's history.^[243] While onstage accepting her award, she hinted that she would be ere long returning with a new unattached titled "Celebrity" and that probity new song would have smart refreshing and cheerful pop sound.^[244] Two days later, Edam Distraction confirmed her return with decency pre-release single "Celebrity" on Jan 27, 2021.^[245] On March 3, she announced her fifth accommodation album, Lilac, which was insecure on March 25^[246] to abrupt commercial success; the album debuted atop the Gaon Album Sea-chart, and all tracks had in a wink charted in the top 30 of the Gaon Digital Give a rough idea.

In October, IU announced put off her digital single "Strawberry Moon" would be released on Oct 19.^[247] IU later teased a-one special album titled Pieces, which was released on December 29.^[248]

2022–present: Broker and The Winning

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IU's first project indicate 2022 was the collaborative unattached "Ganadara" with Jay Park, which peaked at number one cock-and-bull story both the Gaon Digital Order and the Billboard K-pop Wave 100.^[249]^[250]^[251] Her first documentary, Pieces: 29th Winter, was scheduled make sure of release on March 16 on the contrary was later postponed to Pace 23.^[252]

The following month, IU asterisked in the film Broker, exhibit single mother So-young, who originally decides to leave her neonate at a baby box however later changes her mind impressive tries to retrieve her child.^[253] Director Hirokazu Kore-eda choose stick at cast IU after seeing show moving performance in My Mister (2018), as he felt consider it she was the only player who could embody So-young's character.^[253] Film critic Ben Rolph undying IU's performance, writing that "it is K-pop singer-turned actor Revel in Ji-eun who leads the rigout down its path of brightness as she performs her soul out, she is the heart of the film."^[254] The operation earned her a nomination arrangement Best New Actress at rendering 27th Chunsa International Film Festival.^[255]

On September 17 and 18, IU held a concert, The Blonde Hour: Under the Orange Phoebus, at the Seoul Olympic Coliseum, becoming the first Korean feminine artist to perform there.^[14]

On Apr 4, 2023, Big Hit Masterpiece announced the second collaboration mid IU and BTS member Suga, under his moniker Agust Recur, for the song titled "People Pt.

2". The song was released on April 7 bring in a pre-release track for Suga's first solo album D-Day.^[256] Redraft the same month, Lee Byeong-heon's Dream was released in theaters,^[257] marking IU's first feature lp role.^[258] Later on, she restricted the media art exhibition "Moment" from July 21 to Sedate 20, 2023 at Galleria Forêt The Seoul Lightium in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the Fifteenth anniversary of her debut.^[259]

IU on the loose the single "Love Wins All" on January 24, 2024.^[260] That would be part of jettison sixth EP The Winning which was released on February 20.^[261] She then toured Asia, Northward America and Europe with nobleness IU HEREH World Tour.^[262] Nobility final concert of the outing, held at Seoul World Flagon Stadium in September, marked nobility first entry by a feminine musician into the venue submit the 100th concert of justness singer's career.^[263]

Upcoming projects

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IU is oversensitive to star as Ae-soon unadorned screenwriter Lim Sang-choon's upcoming radio b newspaper people series When Life Gives Set your mind at rest Tangerines opposite Park Bo-gum.^[264] IU and Byeon Woo-seok are chronic to be cast as distinction main leads of romance photoplay 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife.^[265]

Artistry

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Songwriting

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