IU

Biography

IU is one of the most famous solo female singers in South Korea. Debuting at the age of 15, IU still maintains her beautiful appearance and petite figure. Not only does she have a successful singing career, but she has also received praise recently for her ventures into the film industry. Despite her innocent and elegant image, IU has not been immune to some scandals during her over 10 years in the entertainment industry.

Fun Facts

Preferences

• IU’s favorite snack is dry bread, especially when dipped in strawberry jam. Perhaps because of this, she calls her male fans “dry bread” and female fans “star candy.”
• IU revealed that she enjoys eating raw cow liver and intestines two to three times a month.
• She likes raw fish, sweet potatoes, and sweet and sour pork. IU also revealed that she is a “dip-eat” person, not a “pour-eat” person, and mentioned that she considers “pour-eat” people as part of an imaginary tribe.
• When asked to choose between chicken and pizza, she confidently declared that pizza is not on the same level as chicken, showcasing her love for chicken.
• IU is not fond of cofee and alcohol.
• IU is well-known for being an avid reader. She enjoys books in the fields of humanities, literature, and self-development. She developed a reading habit at a young age as her parents encouraged reading instead of corporal punishment.
• She is a big fan of films, often bringing up movies during conversations with fans. Her taste in films leans toward warm, family-oriented movies or sweet romances. She prefers watching lesser-known films that are typically shown in art cinemas, indicating her strong expertise in film selection.
• IU became a fan of god after watching their reality show god’s Parenting Diary when she was nine years old. She still considers herself a fan of god and has introduced herself as a member of their fan club, fangod.
• Regarding her fashion preferences, IU once mentioned that while she likes comfortable clothes, she prefers cute and intricate items like socks, underwear, and blankets.
• She is also a fan of Big Bang’s Taeyang and has even gone to his concert with her close friend Yoo In-na, holding light sticks at a standing section. It’s widely known that IU often mentioned Taeyang as her ideal type since her debut.
• Her role model and favorite singer is British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae.
• Regarding her fashion preferences, IU once mentioned that while she likes comfortable clothes, she prefers cute and intricate items like socks, underwear, and blankets.
• Her favorite color is purple.
  

Career

Debut and Early Steps (2008-2009)

IU stepped onto the professional stage at the remarkably young age of 15. Her debut performance was on the music program M Countdown on September 18, 2008, where she performed her first single, “Mia” (미아; Lost Child). The song, the lead track from her debut EP Lost and Found (released September 23, 2008), was a melancholic ballad showcasing vocal depth beyond her years. Initial audience reactions at live performances were reportedly harsh, with IU recalling facing insults and discouragement. However, critics recognized her potential, and she received the “Rookie of the Month” award from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in November 2008. Despite this early critical nod, Lost and Found failed to achieve significant commercial success, an outcome IU later reflected on as ultimately beneficial, fostering a greater appreciation for later success.  

This initial commercial response prompted a strategic shift. In 2009, IU released her first full studio album, Growing Up (April), led by the single “Boo”. This was followed by her second EP, IU…IM (November), featuring the single “Marshmallow”. Both tracks marked a distinct departure from the somber tone of “Mia,” embracing a brighter, more conventionally “cute” and youthful image with an 80s retro sound and accompanying choreography. While this transformation proved commercially effective, boosting her public recognition, IU admitted years later that the deliberately crafted girlish image felt “awkward” to her at the time. This early tension between artistic inclination and market demands foreshadowed her later drive for creative control. During this period, her appearances on variety shows and radio programs, where her acoustic covers of hits by popular groups like Girls’ Generation and BigBang gained viral attention online, also significantly contributed to her rising profile.  

Breakthrough and National Acclaim (2010-2011)

The year 2010 marked IU’s definitive breakthrough. In June, she released “Nagging” (잔소리), a duet with Lim Seul-ong of the popular boy group 2AM, used as a theme song for the reality show We Got Married. The pop ballad soared to number one on the Gaon Digital Chart, holding the top spot for three weeks and becoming her first major chart-topper.  

This success was dramatically amplified later that year with the release of her third EP, Real, in December 2010. Its lead single, “Good Day” (좋은 날), became a cultural phenomenon. The song, reuniting her with the writer-composer team behind “Nagging” (Kim Eana and Lee Min-soo), dominated the Gaon Digital Chart for five consecutive weeks and swept wins across major music shows. A key factor in its immense popularity was the song’s climax, featuring IU executing a challenging sequence of three consecutive high notes, each ascending in pitch (often cited as E5-F5-F#5). This “3 high notes” segment became iconic, showcasing her impressive vocal control and solidifying her reputation as a talented vocalist. “Good Day” not only cemented IU’s stardom but also broadened her appeal beyond typical K-pop demographics, earning critical acclaim, including being named the best K-pop song of the 2010s by Billboard magazine.  

She swiftly followed this success with the repackaged EP Real+ in February 2011, featuring the melancholic ballad “The Story Only I Didn’t Know”. Her momentum continued with her second full studio album, Last Fantasy, released in November 2011. The lead single, “You & I” (너랑 나), proved to be another massive hit, topping charts and further establishing her dominance in the digital music sphere. This string of consecutive number-one hits solidified IU’s position as a formidable force in the Korean music industry.

The “Nation’s Little Sister”

Around the time of “Good Day,” IU was affectionately dubbed the “Nation’s Little Sister” (국민 여동생) by the South Korean media and public. This informal title is typically bestowed upon young female celebrities in their late teens or early twenties who embody qualities of cuteness, brightness, and innocence. IU’s youth, the prevalent image projected through songs like “Boo,” “Marshmallow,” and “Good Day,” and her rapidly growing, cross-generational popularity made her a natural fit for the moniker. While this title undoubtedly contributed to her widespread endearment and initial fame, it also carried expectations of maintaining a specific, pure image. As IU matured personally and artistically, navigating and eventually transcending the confines of this label became a subtle yet significant aspect of her career trajectory.  

Artistic Evolution: Singer-Songwriter Takes the Helm

Following her explosive rise, IU embarked on a journey of artistic maturation and increasing creative control. Her third studio album, Modern Times (October 2013), signaled a significant shift, exploring more complex musical styles like swing, jazz, and bossa nova, moving away from the straightforward pop of her earlier hits. The album included her self-composed track “Bad Day” (싫은 날) and the successful lead single “The Red Shoes” (분홍신). The repackaged version, Modern Times – Epilogue (December 2013), featured another self-penned hit, “Friday” (금요일에 만나요), featuring Jang Yi-jeong.  

In 2014, she released A Flower Bookmark (꽃갈피), her first remake album, reinterpreting beloved Korean classics. The track “My Old Story” (나의 옛날이야기) became a major hit, demonstrating her ability to connect with nostalgia while bringing her own color to established songs.  

A pivotal moment in her artistic development arrived with the EP Chat-Shire (October 2015). For this project, IU took the reins as the sole lyricist for all tracks and served as the album’s producer. Lead single “Twenty-Three” (스물셋) topped the charts, offering a candid reflection on the complexities of navigating young adulthood under the public eye. However, the album also sparked controversy with the track “Zezé,” which will be discussed later.  

Her fourth studio album, Palette (April 2017), further cemented her status as a respected singer-songwriter. Critically acclaimed and commercially successful, it featured the introspective title track “Palette” featuring G-Dragon, the melancholic duet “Can’t Love You Anymore” with Oh Hyuk, and the massively popular ballad “Through the Night” (밤편지). IU’s lyrical contributions were central to the album’s identity, earning her the Best Songwriter Award at the Melon Music Awards and Album of the Year. She followed this with her second remake album, A Flower Bookmark 2 (꽃갈피 둘), in September 2017, with “Autumn Morning” (가을 아침) achieving chart success.  

Subsequent releases continued this trend of artistic involvement and chart success. The EP Love Poem (November 2019) delivered hits “Love Poem” and “Blueming”. Her fifth studio album, Lilac (March 2021), conceived as a farewell to her twenties, spawned the chart-topping singles “Celebrity” and “Lilac” and saw her credited as lyricist on eight of the ten tracks. Later that year, she released Pieces (조각집), an EP compiling previously unreleased self-composed songs from her twenties. Her most recent EP, The Winning (February 2024), continued her chart reign with singles “Love wins all,” “Holssi,” and “Shopper”.  

Chart Supremacy: The PAK Queen

IU’s dominance on South Korean music charts is legendary, best exemplified by her record number of “Perfect All-Kills” (PAKs). A PAK is achieved when a song simultaneously reaches number one on the real-time, daily, and weekly charts of all major South Korean music streaming platforms, signifying overwhelming public consensus and popularity.  

IU holds the undisputed record for the artist with the most songs achieving a PAK, currently standing at 22 distinct tracks. This extraordinary feat highlights a level of sustained, broad-based appeal across more than a decade that is virtually unmatched, particularly for a solo artist.  

Soundtrack Queen and Collaborator

Beyond her own releases, IU has carved out a significant niche in contributing to Original Soundtracks (OSTs) for popular dramas and engaging in high-profile collaborations. Her OSTs are often highly anticipated and successful in their own right. Notable examples include “Hold My Hand” (내 손을 잡아) for The Greatest Love (2011), the self-penned “Heart” (마음) for The Producers (2015), the evocative “My Dear Moon” (나의 아저씨) which she wrote for My Mister (2018), and the chart-topping “Give You My Heart” (마음을 드려요) for the hit drama Crash Landing on You (2020).  

IU On Screen: Acting Journey

IU made her acting debut in the popular KBS musical teen drama “Dream High.” She played Kim Pil-sook, a student at an arts high school with a remarkable singing voice but initially hampered by shyness stemming from being overweight. The character undergoes a significant physical and emotional transformation throughout the series. Her portrayal was warmly received by audiences, who found her character endearing. The role allowed her to showcase both her acting potential and her natural singing talent, marking a promising start to her screen career. She later made a cameo appearance reprising the role in “Dream High 2” (2012).  

Following her debut, IU quickly transitioned into leading roles:

• You’re the Best, Lee Soon-shin (2013): Her first lead role in a weekend family drama, playing the titular character Lee Soon-shin. Her performance earned her the Best New Actress award at the 2013 KBS Drama Awards.  
• Bel Ami (Pretty Man) (2013-14): Starred as the optimistic Kim Bo-tong opposite Jang Keun-suk.  
• The Producers (2015): Played Cindy, a chic and somewhat aloof top idol singer, starring alongside industry veterans Cha Tae-hyun, Gong Hyo-jin, and her Dream High co-star Kim Soo-hyun. This role earned her an Excellence Award nomination at the APAN Star Awards.  
• Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016): Took on the challenging role of Go Ha-jin, a modern woman transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty, where she becomes Hae Soo and gets entangled in palace politics and the lives of several princes. While the drama received mixed reviews domestically, it achieved immense popularity internationally, significantly boosting IU’s global profile as an actress. She won the Best Couple Award with co-star Lee Joon-gi at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards. The drama’s international success demonstrated a powerful Hallyu appeal distinct from her domestic music fame.

2018 marked a significant turning point in IU’s acting career with her role as Lee Ji-an in the tvN drama “My Mister” (나의 아저씨). Playing a young woman burdened by immense debt, caring for her infirm grandmother, and navigating a bleak existence with quiet desperation, IU delivered a performance hailed by critics and viewers alike. Her portrayal was noted for its restraint, depth, and the ability to convey profound emotion through subtle expressions and silence. The role, vastly different from her previous characters, shattered any lingering perceptions of her as merely an “idol actress”. My Mister itself received widespread critical acclaim, winning Best Drama at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. IU’s performance earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Baeksangs and the Most Popular Actress award, along with the Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries at the 2018 APAN Star Awards. This role firmly established her as a serious actress capable of tackling demanding, emotionally complex material.  

Following the intense drama of “My Mister,” IU showcased her versatility and star power in the fantasy romance “Hotel del Luna” (2019). She starred as Jang Man-wol, the millennia-old, cursed CEO of a mystical hotel catering exclusively to ghosts. Man-wol was characterized by her extravagant fashion, fiery temper, deep-seated regrets, and hidden vulnerability. The drama was a massive hit, achieving high viewership ratings and becoming one of tvN’s most successful series. IU’s charismatic performance was widely praised, and her character’s stunning wardrobe became iconic. The role earned her a second consecutive Best Actress nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards. “Hotel del Luna” cemented IU’s status as a top Hallyu star capable of leading a major production and captivating both domestic and international audiences.  

IU recently took on the lead role in the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines.” Set in Jeju Island, the drama tells the story of Ae-soon, a determined woman portrayed by IU, as she overcomes challenges throughout different stages of her life. Written by renowned screenwriter Im Sang-choon (When the Camellia Blooms) and directed by Kim Won-seok (Misaeng, Signal), the series has attracted major attention due to its top-tier production team. In “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” IU’s character faces life’s struggles with strength and holds onto her dream of becoming a poet despite numerous obstacles. Early previews and promotional images have highlighted IU’s striking transformation and emotional depth, earning her praise for her realistic and heartfelt performance.

IU has also made deliberate steps into the world of film:

• Persona (2019): An ambitious Netflix anthology project where she played four distinct characters in four short films directed by four different directors.  
• Shades of the Heart (2021): An independent film where she played the role of Mi-young.  
• Broker (2022): Her highest-profile film role to date, playing Moon So-young, a young single mother who leaves her baby in a ‘baby box’. Directed by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, the film premiered in competition at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a lengthy standing ovation and won the Ecumenical Jury Award and Best Actor for Song Kang-ho. IU’s performance garnered significant international attention and critical praise for its depth and nuance, earning her Best New Actress awards from the Chunsa Film Art Awards, Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, and Golden Cinematography Awards, as well as Popular Star Awards at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Buil Film Awards. Her participation in Broker and its Cannes premiere marked a significant step towards establishing her credentials as a serious international film actress.  
• Dream (2023): Co-starred with Park Seo-joon, playing Lee So-min, a pragmatic producing director filming a documentary about a makeshift soccer team heading to the Homeless World Cup.

Personal Life

Early Life

IU entered the world on May 16, 1993, in Songjeong-dong, Seoul, South Korea. Her family, however, soon faced significant financial instability. Due to mounting debts, largely stemming from her mother acting as a guarantor for a relative, the family’s circumstances deteriorated, forcing a young IU and her younger brother to live apart from their parents. For about a year, they resided primarily with their grandmother in a small, single, often cold room, struggling with poverty. Her grandmother supported them by selling small hair accessories at a local market. IU has spoken candidly about this period, recalling the lack of food and the challenging living conditions, finding solace mainly in her grandmother’s presence and the relative comfort of the practice studio later in her teens. These formative experiences with poverty likely forged a deep resilience and a potent work ethic, qualities evident throughout her career. Furthermore, this direct experience with hardship arguably planted the seeds for her later, consistent focus on supporting underprivileged children and families through extensive philanthropy.  

Despite these difficulties, IU harbored aspirations for a life in the spotlight, initially attending acting classes. However, her true passion ignited during middle school after receiving applause for a singing performance at a school sports competition; the positive reinforcement sparked her decision to pursue singing professionally.  

The path was far from smooth. Over the course of a year, she faced rejection from more than 20 entertainment agency auditions, including one at the prominent JYP Entertainment. Compounding these setbacks, she fell victim to scams by fraudulent companies promising training and television appearances in exchange for money – funds painstakingly saved by her grandmother. This period of persistent rejection and betrayal underscores the tenacity required to break into the competitive K-pop industry. Her ability to persevere despite these significant obstacles speaks volumes about her inherent determination.  

After a brief training stint at Good Entertainment alongside other future idols , Lee Ji-eun’s fortunes changed in 2007 when she successfully auditioned for LOEN Entertainment (later Kakao Entertainment, with IU eventually moving to its subsidiary EDAM Entertainment). Producers were impressed, and she began her official training period, moving to Bangbae, Seoul. After approximately ten months of focused training, she was ready for her debut. LOEN Entertainment conceived her stage name, IU, representing “I” and “You” uniting through the medium of music – a name that would soon become synonymous with K-pop excellence.

Relationships

Lee Jong-suk

IU’s current public relationship is with actor Lee Jong-suk. Their relationship was confirmed by both their agencies in December 2022, following a report by Dispatch. The pair first met in 2012 while co-hosting the music show Inkigayo. According to their statements, their long-standing friendship eventually blossomed into romance. Both IU and Lee Jong-suk penned letters to their respective fan cafes confirming the news and expressing their feelings.

Lee Jong-suk has publicly spoken about IU being a source of strength and support, describing her as reliable, cute, and someone he relies on. They have been seen supporting each other, such as Lee Jong-suk attending IU’s concerts. Despite occasional breakup rumors circulating on social media platforms like Weibo, these have remained unconfirmed and often contradicted by ongoing signs of their relationship.  

Jang Kiha

Prior to Lee Jong-suk, IU was in a public relationship with musician Jang Kiha, frontman of the band Kiha & The Faces. Their relationship, confirmed in October 2015, reportedly began in 2013 after meeting on his radio show. The relationship drew attention partly due to the 11-year age difference between them.

After nearly four years together, their agencies confirmed their amicable breakup in January 2017, citing the common reason of drifting apart due to busy schedules.

Super Junior’s Eunhyuk

In November 2012, a significant controversy erupted when IU accidentally uploaded a photo to her Twitter account showing herself in pajamas alongside a seemingly shirtless Eunhyuk of the popular boy group Super Junior. The intimate nature of the photo fueled intense speculation about a romantic relationship, leading to widespread rumors, including marriage and pregnancy theories.

LOEN Entertainment quickly issued an official statement and apology, explaining that Eunhyuk had visited IU at her home when she was sick earlier that summer, and the photo was taken while they sat together on a sofa. The agency denied romantic involvement, emphasizing their close senior-junior relationship.

IU later addressed the incident publicly on the talk show Incarnation in July 2013, admitting the upload was her mistake (“I uploaded it by mistake, and I have no one to blame because I did it”) and expressing deep regret and apologies to Eunhyuk, her fans, and anyone affected. Eunhyuk also faced considerable public teasing and scrutiny following the incident. This scandal occurred at a time when IU’s “Nation’s Little Sister” image was at its peak, making the incident particularly impactful and challenging to navigate.

Net Worth

​As of early 2025, South Korean singer-songwriter and actress IU (Lee Ji-eun) is estimated to have a net worth ranging between $40 million and $45 million, positioning her among the wealthiest K-pop idols globally and the richest female K-pop artist.

Scandals/Controversies

Album-related

“Only I Didn’t Know” Lyrics Controversy: In the music video, Park Bo-young’s line — “Everyone calls him Dad, but he’s not my dad.” — sparked speculation about an incestuous theme. However, aside from a large age gap, no father-daughter relationship is depicted. Although some questioned the need for the age difference, such stories are common in Korea and did not cause major controversy. After some media coverage, the agency clarified it was about “a couple with a large age gap,” criticizing the misinterpretation. Most netizens also disagreed with the incest claims.

“The Red Shoes” Plagiarism: Upon its release, “The Red Shoes” faced plagiarism allegations, but composers Bang Si-hyuk, Kim Hyung-seok, and industry experts found the claims unconvincing. The controversy resurfaced in 2023 after a civilian report, prompting Nekta’s representative to issue a protest to EDAM Entertainment. Nekta claimed they had repeatedly contacted LOEN and EDAM since 2013 without response. However, EDAM countered by revealing that LOEN’s legal team had replied to Nekta on December 4, 2013, and argued that Nekta’s claims were based on false information. As of now, Nekta has not responded.

“CHAT-SHIRE” Lolita Controversy: In 2015, IU faced major controversy with her fourth mini-album “Chat-shire,” which was criticized for its music style and similarities to the Lolita theme, referencing a controversial novel about an adult-man, underage-girl relationship. IU denied the accusations and apologized for using imagery and language that could be misunderstood, but the backlash persisted.

“Love Wins” Controversy: IU’s pre-release single “Love Wins” faced controversy in early 2024. Initially titled simply “Love Wins,” the song title drew criticism from some in the LGBTQ+ community for aligning with a well-known slogan associated with the fight for same-sex marriage rights. In response to online backlash, IU’s agency changed the title to “Love Wins All,” but the issue continued when the music video, featuring characters with disabilities, was released. The portrayal of these characters faced accusations of ableism, creating further controversy surrounding the project.

Concert-related

In April 2024, fan A, who secured a ticket for IU’s “HEREH” concert, claimed to be falsely accused of illegal ticket trading and unable to attend. Despite submitting evidence to the ticket agency, A was still classified as a fraudster at the venue. A also reported being banned from the official fan club and sought consumer protection.

IU’s agency addressed the issue, clarifying no resale of A’s ticket occurred. However, rumors emerged suggesting A’s ticket was resold, supported by witness accounts and videos. Further investigation revealed discrepancies, including A admitting to using a proxy for ticketing, leading to fan debates.

Some fans criticized the apology to IU, arguing she wasn’t responsible, while others viewed her as a victim of the agency’s internal issues, calling for improved systems rather than harsh criticism.

Filmography