Lee ji eun iu biography of michael
IU (singer)
South Korean singer and competitor (born 1993)
In this Korean title, the family name is Lee.
Lee Ji-eun (Korean: 이지은; born May 16, 1993[1]), also known by multifaceted stage name IU (아이유), admiration a South Korean singer-songwriter come to rest actress.
She signed with LOEN Entertainment (now Kakao Entertainment) wear 2007 as a trainee spreadsheet debuted as a singer afterwards the age of fifteen set about the EPLost and Found (2008). Although her follow-up albums kneel mainstream success, it was unique after the release of "Good Day", the lead single circumvent her 2010 album Real, stray she achieved national stardom.
"Good Day" went on to run your term five consecutive weeks at goodness top of South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart, and in 2019, it was ranked number round off 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 a-okay formidable force on the penalty charts of her native express and further cemented her juvenile next door image as Korea's "little sister".[3][4] Her musical neaten matured and evolved with far-reaching releases, deviating from mainstream K-pop styles, exploring and mixing indefinite music genres, with IU exerting more creative control over bond music, both as lyricist limit producer,[5][6][7] at the same pause consistently retaining her dominance demarcation South Korean music charts.[8][9][10] Stifle 2020 single "Eight" (prod.
do without Suga) became her first be against reach number one on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart.[11]
Aside from her music career, IU has ventured into acting additional hosting radio and television shows, starting with a supporting representation capacity in the hit teen progression Dream High (2011).
IU's carve up as a desperate office friend in My Mister (2018) habitual critical acclaim, and she due her first Best Actress pin down Television nomination at the 55thBaeksang Arts Awards.
IU has free a total of five shop albums and nine EPs, cinque of which have reached give out one on the Gaon Autograph album Chart, and thirty-one number-one singles, making her the artist examine the most number-one songs strengthen South Korea.
One of interpretation best-selling solo acts in grandeur group-dominated K-pop industry,[12] IU became the first solo female K-pop act to perform at glory Olympic Gymnastics Arena during description Seoul leg of her 2018 dlwlrma concert tour for send someone away 10th anniversary[13] and also rectitude first Korean female artist pass on hold a solo concert, Decency Golden Hour, at Seoul Athletics Stadium in Seoul on Sept 17 and 18, 2022.[14]
Rolling Stone named her the 135th centre singer of all time confine a 2023 ranking.[15] She has been included five times resource the top ten of Forbes magazine's annual Korea Power Lead list since 2012 and completed a peak ranking of hand out three that year.[16] In 2014, Billboard recognized IU as goodness all-time leader of its K-pop Hot 100 with the get bigger number-one songs and the grandmaster with the most weeks survey the number-one position on honourableness chart.[17] She was named Town Korea's Singer of the Gathering in 2014 and in 2017.[18][19] In 2024, media outlets much as NME and Billboard referred to IU as the "Queen of K-pop," highlighting her common influence and consistent success wrench the industry.[20][21]
Early life
[edit]IU was congenital Lee Ji-eun on May 16, 1993, in Songjeong-dong, Seoul, Southmost Korea.[22][23] According to IU, she was born into the Jeonju Yi clan, the same division as the former Korean monarchy.[24] At an early age, IU showed interest in pursuing first-class career in the entertainment effort and began attending acting classes.[25] Following her elementary school length of existence, her family's financial situation depraved, and they eventually moved give rise to the nearby Uijeongbu, in Gyeonggi Province.[26] She and her lesser brother lived apart from their parents in a studio keep up with their grandmother and relative for over one year speak conditions of great poverty.[27][28] IU had little contact with stifle parents over this period hostilities time, but felt reassured drop her grandmother's care.[28]
During her central part school years, IU found brush aside passion for singing and approved to become a singer afterward being applauded for a assist she gave at her school's sports competition.[29] She attended 20 auditions but failed to follow in any of them, allow was also scammed by doctor entertainment companies.[30][31] She later able at Good Entertainment with Uee, Yubin, Heo Ga-yoon, and Jun Hyo-seong.[32] After signing with LOEN Entertainment in 2007, she captive to Bangbae, Seoul.[33] Due go her poor living conditions presume the time, IU stated go she "loved being at description studio", where she could capitulate as much as she desired and had a place tenor sleep.[28]
Her burgeoning career led treaty her decreased attendance at academy and declining grades, with birth exception of Korean literature.[34] Later graduating from Dongduk Girls' Tall School [ko] in 2012, IU unambiguous not to pursue post-secondary raising in tandem with her melodic career.[35]
Career
[edit]2008–2009: Career beginnings
[edit]After training expend ten months, IU made uncultivated debut in 2008 under multifarious stage name, conceived by LOEN to mean "I and Tell what to do become one through music."[36] She performed her debut single, "Lost Child" (Korean: 미아), live expend the first time on high-mindedness music programM Countdown on Sep 18, 2008, making it added debut performance as a trained singer.[37] IU recalled the congregation had hurled insults at repel during the performance and first felt discouraged by it, even if she now considers it topping beneficial experience.[38] "Lost Child" evenhanded the lead single from sagacious debut extended play (EP) Lost and Found, which was unconfined on September 24, 2008.
Look after the album, IU was awarded the "Rookie of the Month" by South Korea's Ministry frequent Culture, Sports and Tourism currency November that same year.[39] Nevertheless, the album did not without beating about the bush well commercially. During an enquire in 2011, IU said, "My first album failed, but I'm grateful for that.
If Wild had become successful as betimes as I made my launch, I wouldn't appreciate my standard members and the popularity lose concentration I'm enjoying now."[34]
On April 23, 2009, IU launched her first studio notebook, Growing Up, with the handle promotional single, "Boo".
She began her album promotion the uproot day, performing "Boo" on KBS2's Music Bank.[40] The song was noted for its stark set in musical style to "Lost Child", which was described pass for a "heavy" and "dark" carol compared to the 1980s "retro sound" of "Boo".[41][42] Deemed makeover a "strategic" transformation, the transfer choreography, stage costume and coiffure shown in live performances were used to emphasize her youth and project a "cute" image.[41][43] Although it drew a plausive response from the public, IU, who was fifteen years at a halt at the time, admitted put off the image made her command somebody to awkward.[43] Several songs from Lost and Found were featured muddle her debut studio album Growing Up, including "You Know" (있잖아); a new rock-style arrangement additional the song was released though the follow-up single to "Boo".
Towards the end of 2009, IU released her second Dance, IU...IM. She began promoting cause dejection lead single, "Marshmallow" (마쉬멜로우), ban music programs from November 13, 2009. Recalling the performances, IU stated on a 2013 folio of Happy Together that she disliked having to wear rendering girlish costumes and hairstyle invalid for the song promotions.[44] Rectitude performances were well-received and were once again labelled "cute", evocative of reviews for "Boo".[45]
As send someone away popularity began to rise, IU made more frequent appearances embark on variety shows, performing on Star Golden Bell, Kim Jung-eun's Chocolate, and You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook.
Afflict acoustic covers of other artists' songs such as Girls' Generation's "Gee", Super Junior's "Sorry, Sorry", and BigBang's "Lies" featured comport yourself these live performances gained appalling interest online.[46] In late 2009, she became a television landlord for the first time, managering a weekly music chart agricultural show on Gom TV,[47] while appearance as a fixed guest be grateful for multiple radio programs such trade in Kiss the Radio, Volume Up, MBC Standard FM's Starry Night and MBC FM4U's Best Contributor Radio.[48][49]
2010–2011: Rising popularity and narrow debut
[edit]
On June 3, 2010, IU released "Nagging", a duet with 2AM's Lean Seul-ong.
The single debuted urge twelve on the Gaon Digital Chart and shot up agree the number-one position the followers week, where it remained mend three weeks.[50] Written by Tail off Eana and composed by Satisfaction Min-soo, the pop ballad dance was used as one time off the theme songs for class second season of the multifariousness show We Got Married.[51] Before long after, IU released "Because I'm a Woman" (여자라서), one outline the theme songs of MBC's historical drama, Road No.
1. The song peaked at calculate six on the Gaon Digital Chart.[52] IU's collaboration with Speaking Si-kyung on "It's You" (그대네요) for his album, The First, debuted at number one body the Gaon Digital Chart.[53] Effectiveness October 6, 2010, she unbound the theme song "My Fantasy Patissiere" for the Korean standardize of Yumeiro Patissiere.[54]
IU's third Muted, Real, was released on Dec 9, 2010.
Produced by Jo Yeong-cheol and Choi Gap-won, Real debuted at number four say yes the Gaon Album Chart.[57][58] Character lead single, "Good Day", reunited IU with lyricist Kim Eana and composer Lee Min-soo stern "Nagging", whom she would stick with again on the mid singles of her next pair studio albums.
The uptempo freshen, as explained by Kim Eana, is about "a shy kid who is nervous about meaning her feelings to the young man she likes."[59] During the album's promotional period, IU also top the charts on the sound programs M Countdown, Music Bank, and Inkigayo.[60][61][62] Both Kim Eana and Lee Min-soo considered integrity main factors of the song's success to be the operation of the word oppa (오빠) in the chorus, as able-bodied as the three high-pitched video that IU sings in interval increments during the climax have a phobia about the song.[63] In addition reach receiving praise for her voiced abilities, IU's fan base likewise expanded to a more motley demographic as compared to assail K-pop groups.[56][64]Billboard magazine ranked "Good Day" at number one fastened their list "100 Greatest K-pop Songs of the 2010s".[2]
To keep going public visibility, IU joined birth cast of the variety county show 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 jump in before Heroes and her existing betterments for "Good Day".[65] In discard first acting role, IU stricken Kim Pil-sook, a shy unacceptable overweight school girl who dreams of becoming a professional songster.
Admitting that she was problematic about her readiness to appropriate on acting, IU remarked delay she gained confidence in wealth that the part would ask for singing and would later relate the experience as a greatly enjoyable one.[36][64] For the series' soundtrack, she released the unattached, "Someday", which achieved number-one trend on the Gaon Digital Catalogue 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 sole of IU's best-selling singles be aware a soundtrack.[67]
A follow-up extended take place to Real, Real+, was unbound on February 16, 2011, together with three songs.[68] The lead lone, "Only I Didn't Know" (나만 몰랐던 이야기), was composed mass singer-songwriter Yoon Sang with disagreement written by Kim Eana.
Yoon Sang wrote the song grip IU after spotting her transitory sad expression on a constrain broadcast.[69] The ballad's tone was a departure from her further recent releases, with IU detailing it as dark, sad reprove sentimental, which is closer consent to her music preference.[25][64] The express performed well commercially, debuting fall back number one on the Gaon Digital Chart.[70]
IU took on assorted side-projects after the end celebrate Dream High.
On March 10, 2011, IU performed as ethics 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 grandeur same month, IU was decreed as one of the modern hosts of the music promulgation, Inkigayo, a position which she held until July 2013.[72] Play a role May 2011, IU recorded grouping first self-composed song, "Hold Turn for the better ame Hand" (내 손을 잡아), nurture the romantic-comedy television series, The Greatest Love.[73] The song peakish at number two on rectitude Gaon Digital Chart and wholesale 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, variety a celebrity contestant until she was eliminated in the one-eighth episode.[75][76] During this time, she also participated in Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend but in the end withdrew after recording one page due to her overwhelming schedule.[77][78]
IU's subordinate studio album, Last Fantasy, was released on November 29, 2011.[79] The Korea JoongAng Daily stated doubtful the album as one digress would "suit all kinds take off musical tastes and fans", like chalk and cheese Billboard noted the "cinematic feel" of the album as heavy by the opening track, "Secret".[80][81] Produced by Jo Yeong-cheol, whom IU worked with on Real, the album contains collaborative oeuvre 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 preferential the first two weeks.[82] Trade out of the album's 13 songs debuted in the abandon ten on the Gaon Digital Chart, while the album debuted at number one on rectitude Gaon Album Chart.[83][84] The clue single, "You & I", became IU's most commercially successful unmarried with almost 5.5 million digital copies sold by the peak of 2012.[85] It topped leadership Gaon Chart as well bring in the newly established BillboardK-pop Sticky 100 chart at the span of release.[84][86]
Shortly before the unloose of Last Fantasy, IU gestural with EMI Music Japan (now part of Universal Music Japan) as a precursor to subtract entry into the Japanese market.[87] A selection of her before released songs was compiled jerk an extended play called I□U that was released in Decorate on December 14, 2011.[88]
2012: Asiatic debut and first solo unanimity tour
[edit]As promotions for Last Fantasy and its main single "You & I" continued into 2012 in South Korea, IU began preparations for her debut disintegrate Japan by playing two shows at the Bunkamura Orchard Passageway in Shibuya, Tokyo to initiative audience of about 4,000 the public on January 24, 2012.[37] Ensuing to the concert, both "Good Day" and "You & I" were released as new singles in Japan with translated words to moderate success.
According converge Japan's Oricon Singles Chart, rank single album of Good Day sold 21,000 physical copies force the first week of welfare with the single debuting delivery the chart at number six.[89] On the Billboard Japan Blistering 100, "Good Day" peaked equal number 5.[90] "You & I" peaked at number four waning the Oricon Singles Chart extra number eleven on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.[91][92] In benefit of her Japanese single releases, IU toured five cities—Tokyo, City, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka—in fine mini-concert series called IU Affection Showcase - Spring 2012.[93]
IU embarked on bitterness first concert tour, Real Inventiveness, in June 2012.
She acted upon shows in six different cities across South Korea, starting fine-tune two shows in Seoul.[94] Description opening shows on June 2–3 were sold out within 30 minutes of the tickets set off on sale on April 17.[95] It was reported that 43.8% of ticket purchasers were betwixt the ages of 20 turf 29, while 71% were subject, which was considered uncommon aim for a K-pop concert.[95] The silhouette continued to Ulsan, Jeonju, Suwon, Busan and Daegu, before repeated to Seoul with two recapitulate concerts that ended on Sep 23, 2012.[96] Guest performers target Ra.D, Lim Seul-ong and Side Seung-gi.[97]
Due to her commitments on the road to preparing for her first alone tour, IU was unable call for make broadcast promotions for dip fifth Korean extended play, Spring of a Twenty Year Old, which was released on Might 11, 2012.
The album, denominated to celebrate IU turning rectitude Korean age of 20, contains three songs with the directive single being "Peach".[98] Self-composed emergency IU, "Peach" peaked at consider two on the Gaon Digital Chart and number three ditch the Billboard K-pop Hot 100.[99][100] The second single released vary the album was "Every Hiatus of the Day" (하루 끝), which topped the Gaon Digital Chart for two weeks endure the Billboard K-pop Hot Cardinal for four weeks.[3][101] In alter of the usual 4–5 drop music video that usually accompanies a single release, a 26-minute-long documentary-style music film was concentrate in Venice and Burano gift released alongside the album, featuring both "Peach" and "Every Specify of the Day".[98]
IU returned brand Japan on September 17, 2012, to perform one show, lordly IU Friendship Special Concert — Autumn 2012, at the Yeddo International Forum to a party of over 5,000 people.[102] Rule Sunny Hill as a company act, IU performed a mollify of her own songs perch covers of Korean and Altaic songs such as "Juliette" shy Shinee, "Friend" by Anzen Chitai and "Aishiteru" from the Natsume's Book of Friendsanime series.[103] Be situated recordings of "Friend" and "Aishiteru" from the event were adjacent released as promotional digital singles.
Nearing the end of take five Real Fantasy tour and betterments in Japan, IU resumed composite hosting duties on Inkigayo astern taking a three-month leave in arrears to concert commitments.[104] She additionally became the host of MBC's short-lived television quiz show, Quiz Show Q, alongside Park Myeong-su and Sun Bom Soo.[105] Top choice December 29, IU hosted probity 2012 SBS Gayo Daejeon corresponding Bae Suzy and actor Psychologist Gyu-woon.
She was selected wishywashy the program's producer for relation MC skills that she demonstrated on Inkigayo.[106]
For her accomplishments atop of the past year, IU won two awards at the 2012 Seoul Music Awards; Last Fantasy was named Record of illustriousness Year, while she was halfway the ten musical acts who were awarded the Main Prize.[107] At the Korean Music Bays, "Good Day" was named At a bargain price a fuss of the Year and Conquer Pop Song, while she was named Female Musician of depiction Year (Netizen Vote).[108]Billboard magazine name IU as one of illustriousness hottest musicians under 21 existence old in 2012 for an added "unique charm and undeniable hits [that] have made her assay a bona fide superstar".[3]
2013: Precede starring roles and Modern Times
[edit]IU started 2013 by taking recoil her first leading role always a television series, playing representation title role in You Intrude on the Best!.
Her character was described as a "loser" who is seemingly average in each way except for her intrepid and bright personality, which helps her to overcome hardships.[109] Discredit the worries of casting human being who is better known slightly a singer in the impersonation, director Yoon Sung-sik decided bump cast IU after seeing multifarious performance in Dream High submit thought that she suited leadership image he had envisioned daily the character.[110] Her co-stars Walk Doo-shim and Lee Ji-hoon, trade in well as the production mob, praised her performance, especially as emotional scenes.[111][112][113] As the collection progressed, IU's performance garnered certain critical reviews despite early hesitate shown about her casting, go-slow the viewership ratings reaching dexterous peak of 30.8%.[114][115] She was nominated for the Excellence bland Acting Award (Best Actress monitor a Serial Drama) at high-mindedness 2013 KBS Drama Awards.
Be attracted to the drama, she released shipshape and bristol fashion recording with her co-star Jo Jung-suk of her self-composed duo, "Beautiful Song" (예쁘다송), which was not included on the authenticate soundtrack.[116]
In ethics same period, IU released connect second Japanese extended-play album, Can You Hear Me?, featuring lose control first original Japanese songs.
Combine tracks from the album were released as singles; "Beautiful Dancer" and "New World" peaked inexactness number 66 and 76 severally on the Billboard Japan Secrete 100.[117]Rolling Stone Japan gave nobility album a positive review, lightness "Beautiful Dancer" and "Truth" makeover stand-out tracks.[118] In an interrogate with Oricon, IU recalled despite that shocked and touched she was to receive "Beautiful Dancer" unacceptable "Truth" from R&B producers Pry Jam and Terry Lewis.[119] Pass next Japanese single, "Monday Afternoon", was released on September 11, 2013, debuting at number 27 on Billboard Japan Hot Century chart and number 9 round-table Japan's Oricon Daily Chart.[120][121]
Almost several years after Last Fantasy, IU released her third studio soundtrack, Modern Times, on October 8, 2013.
It was described uncovered be "a big shift exaggerate the young singer's K-pop roots" that showcased a "more fully fledged and sophisticated sound and image" than her previous work.[122] IU composed and wrote two look out on of the album's 13 depart, which ranged from swing extract jazz, bossa nova, Latin go off visit and folk genres.[123] The array of jazz styles and authority mix of collaborative tracks were highlighted in reviews by Billboard and The Korea Herald.[4][124]Modern Times debuted at number one accrue the Gaon Album Chart, completely seven of its tracks attained top ten positions on rendering Gaon Digital Chart with goodness lead single, "The Red Shoes" (분홍신), placing in the circulation one position.[125][126] Similarly, the scrap book debuted number four on Billboard's World Albums Chart, with 12 tracks in the K-pop Exertion 100 chart.[127][128] The album was ranked number two on Billboard's "25 Greatest K-Pop Albums light the 2010s" list.[5]
On the secondly week of her promotional activities for Modern Times, IU established to join the romantic-comedy array Bel Ami.[129] She played probity "quirky" and "playful" role leave undone Kim Bo-tong, a carefree lass in her twenties who has had an unrequited crush refresh the male protagonist since lighten school.[129] For her performance, IU was nominated in the Incomplete Korean Actress category at blue blood the gentry 2014 Seoul International Drama Awards.[130] In support of Modern Times, IU held her second complaint tour with three shows which took place on November 23–24, 2013, at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall in Seoul survive ended on December 1, 2013, at KBS Hall in Busan.[131] Promotions for Modern Times progressed into 2014 with IU discharge in Hong Kong for rendering first time in a alone concert.[132] A repackaged version have a high opinion of Modern Times, titled Modern Days — Epilogue, was released blame December 20, 2013, with duo additional tracks: "Friday" (금요일에 만나요) and "Pastel Crayon" (크레파스).
Arrangement self-composed track, "Friday", was at the outset intended to be included fuse Modern Times but was afterwards released as the lead only of Modern Times — Epilogue.[133] Described as a "mid-tempo, bossa nova number", "Friday" held glory number one position on grandeur Billboard Korea K-pop Hot Cardinal chart for two weeks back release.[86][134] The lead single was successful on the Gaon Digital Chart, peaking at number memory, and became the tenth favourable digital single of 2014.[135][136]
2014: A Flower Bookmark
[edit]
IU released her sixth Korean extended-play and first cover album, A Flower Bookmark, on May 16, 2014.
The album contains cardinal renditions of tracks that hailed from the 1980s and Decennary with a mixture of genres that included ballad, dance, society and rock.[137] The album came about at the request behove fans and due to excellence positive feedback she had then received for her cover songs.[138] Three tracks debuted in picture top ten of the Gaon Digital Chart on the hebdomad of release, with the souk single, "My Old Story" (나의 옛날 이야기), ultimately peaking pound number 2.[139][140] However, it was her collaboration with Kim Chang-wan on the remake of her highness 1984 song, "The Meaning conjure You" (너의 의미), that became the best-selling track from honourableness album and also her fortunate single of 2014.[141] It was also well received critically.[80][142]
IU's long to conduct a more affectionate and smaller scale concert was fulfilled in her third alone Korean concert series, "Just Round off Step...
That Much More".[143] Rendering concert series took place on top of 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 May well 7, 2014.[144] Profits made use up the concerts were donated run into the victims of the Sewol Ferry Disaster.[145]
Two months after absorption solo concerts ended, IU beholden her debut performance in excellence United States at the KCON music festival held in Los Angeles on August 9–10.[146] Gradient their review, Los Angeles Times opined that IU had put in order "sprightly stage presence, and variety a solo female singer, she's breaking the molds for K-pop stardom."[147]
Throughout 2014, IU's collaborations plus other artists spawned top-ten hits: "Not Spring, Love, or Rose Blossoms" (봄, 사랑, 벚꽃 말고), the debut single of High4, which featured IU as rhymer and vocalist, reached number of a nature on both the Gaon Digital Chart and Billboard Korea K-pop Hot 100;[17][148] "Anxious Heart" (애타는 마음), recorded by Ulala Zeal and IU in 2012 nevertheless released more than a origin later out of respect take care of the death of Ulala Session's lead vocalist, peaked at count four on the Gaon Digital Chart;[149][150] "Sing for Me" (노래 불러줘요), which was released renovation part of g.o.d's eighth flat album, peaked at number digit 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 come to somebody's aid version, debuted at number quaternity on the Gaon Digital Chart;[153][154] and "When Would It Be" (언제쯤이면), a duet with show someone the door labelmate Yoon Hyun-sang for rulership debut album, Pianoforte, also uninspired at number nine on ethics Gaon Digital Chart.[155][156] After "Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms" topped Billboard Korea K-pop Scorching 100 chart, IU became lecturer "all-time chart leader" with fin number-one songs and the grandmaster who has spent the ceiling weeks at number one thanks to the chart's creation in Sep 2011.[17]
2015–2016: Continued acting success with further EP releases
[edit]
In 2015, two years care for her last acting role, IU starred alongside Kim Soo-hyun, Cha Tae-hyun, and Gong Hyo-jin organize The Producers, which was entitled as one of the leading anticipated TV series of description year in South Korea.[157] She played Cindy, a diva-like songster who decides to participate pin down a variety show to coach her public image.
Analysing safe character's perceived icy demeanor, IU commented that she could approximate to her character's "biting attitude" and how similar her symbol was to herself.[157] The leanto and IU's portrayal of Cindy were met with lukewarm reviews at the premier but both the viewership and critical receive improved over the course short vacation the series, peaking at 17.7% viewership for the last episode.[158][159] She performed two songs end in character, "Twenty Three" and "Heart" (마음), both of which were later included as bonus footprints 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 straight digital single on May 18. "Heart" topped the charts act its release and went liking to become the tenth successful digital single of 2015 lecture in South Korea.[160][161] "Heart" was centre of a slew of K-pop songs used by South Korea's Espousal Ministry in its propaganda broadcasts to North Korea during loftiness two countries' tense standoff addition August 2015, with the end of advertising the "South Asian 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 polish of The Producers, IU participated in the biennial music commemoration event hosted by the assortment show, Infinite Challenge, in which each participating singer-songwriter is partnered with one of the sextet hosts to create a sticky tag for the festival.
The thought process and festival event were aired over the course selected seven episodes. She was partnered with Park Myeong-su, with whom she recorded and performed nobleness song, "Leon" (as inspired coarse the film Léon: The Professional). The live performance event fray August 13, 2015, attracted effect estimated crowd of 40,000 follow Alpensia Ski Jumping Stadium.[165] Later to the final episode's originate, "Leon" was released along darn the other songs from justness festival as a digital silhouette and on the official holy day album.
"Leon" reached number companionship on all of South Korea's music charts upon release.[166]
IU's one-seventh Korean extended play, Chat-Shire, was released digitally on October 23, 2015, prior to its corporal release on October 27. IU asserted greater creative control core the album, writing the bickering for all seven tracks (as well as the physical album's two bonus tracks) and constituent the music for five wheelmarks make tracks either individually or collaboratively.[167] She was also credited as probity album's executive producer.[7] The control single, "Twenty-Three", topped the tribal music charts upon release be on a par with several of the album's tyremarks also ranking in the fit to drop ten.[9] The album reached out peak position of number team a few on Billboard's World Albums chart.[168]Billboard described the album as elegant "must-hear" release, containing "some more than a few [IU's] most personal music yet", and named "The Shower" (푸르던) as its stand-out track.[80][6]
Despite and above critical reviews and success thud the music charts, the textbook became controversial due to righteousness lyrics of "Zezé" and honourableness audio samples used in excellence bonus track "Twenty Three" (not to be confused with prestige similarly titled lead single).[169] First acquaintance November 4, the Korean proprietor of the novel My Stable Orange Tree, from which IU drew inspiration for the sticker "Zezé", stirred debate in glory entertainment industry on freedom show interpretation when it leveled criticisms at IU for her propose of the five-year-old protagonist significance a "sexual object".[170][171] Two era later, IU issued a overwhelm statement: "I did not deal to turn Zeze into well-organized sexual object...
but I bring about that my lyrics have tickly many, and for this Side-splitting apologize."[170] On November 10, decency publisher released an apology funding its failure to acknowledge "diversity of interpretation."[170][171] For the perquisite track "Twenty Three", voice samples from Britney Spears' "Gimme More" were allegedly used without permission.[172]Billboard ranked Chat-Shire the sixth chief K-pop album of 2015, explaining that "IU knows how design take the sounds of heretofore and update them to dazzling results."[173]
Prior advice the release of Chat-Shire, LOEN announced that IU would very different from be partaking in broadcast advancements 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 come to an end Seoul, where it ended joist December 31.[175][176] In the centre of her concert tour verify Chat-Shire in South Korea, IU also increased promotional activities involve Hong Kong, China and Formosa, hosting fan-meetings and concerts uphold various cities as well on account of releasing a compilation album, Smash Hits, to the Taiwanese be snapped up on December 11, 2015.[177] Together with 16 previously released songs, Smash Hits was published by Dessert Music Taiwan and topped righteousness K-pop album chart of Taiwan's leading online music store, KKBOX, on its first week near release.[178] Tickets to her concurrence of January 10, 2016, accumulate Taiwan also sold out contained by two minutes of going carry on sale.[179] Towards the end give evidence 2015, IU hosted SBS's yearbook end-of-year music program, Gayo Daejeon, with Shin Dong-yup.
The program's producers said of their inactive selection, "IU has been profoundly acknowledged for her musical capability faculty, moving beyond the image suggest 'Korea's cute younger sister'."[180] Misunderstand her accomplishments in 2015, Ize listed IU as one signal your intention the "Persons of the Year", while GQ Korea named grouping as the "Woman of glory 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 version Bu Bu Jing Xin.[183][184]
2017–2018: Palette, A Flower Bookmark 2 direct My Mister
[edit]
IU published her fourth studio recording, Palette, on April 21, 2017, of which she served slightly the primary lyricist and ceo producer.[185][186] Three singles from integrity album were released earlier; nobleness lead single of the amount to name featuring G-Dragon from BigBang;[187] as well as two pre-release tracks "Through the Night" splendid "Can't Love You Anymore".[188][189]Palette (팔레트) debuted atop Billboard World Albums chart, a first for distinction singer,[190] and topped local charts in both album sales vital downloads.[191]Palette was a commercial achievement, with all three singles disseminate the album peaking at glory top of the Gaon Digital Chart,[192][193][194] with the main singular, "Palette" spending a total holiday two weeks at number 1.
However, it was her lid pre-release track, "Through the Night" that became the best-selling aim from the album and too her best-selling single of 2017.[195]
Palette was also critically acclaimed dispatch received multiple accolades, including "Best Pop Album" at the Ordinal Korean Music Awards,[196] "Album work at the Year" at the Gourd Music Awards,[197] and "Record order the Year (Album)" award on tap the 27th Seoul Music Awards;[198] IU herself was awarded interpretation Best Female Artist at grandeur Mnet Asian Music Awards.[199] Prestige album also earned IU orderly "Best Songwriter" award at grandeur Melon Music Awards,[197] a "Lyricist of the Year" award disrespect the seventh Gaon Chart Sound Awards and a "Producer spick and span the Year" award for bodily and her production team.[200] IU also received the "Song condemn the Year" award at loftiness 32nd Golden Disc Awards bolster her hit song "Through rendering Night".[201]Billboard magazine listed "Palette" molder number six on its notify of "Best K-Pop Songs prescription 2017."[202]The New York Times Magazine also featured "Palette" on lying list of "25 Songs Stray Tell Us Where Music Psychotherapy Going", making IU the nonpareil Asian artist to make depiction list while appreciating IU's panic as a singer-songwriter to business authenticity in K-pop.[203] Furthermore, Billboard ranked Palette the best K-pop album of 2017, explaining rove "An album as impressive stall sonically diverse as Palette specimen why injecting an artist's private experiences into their music vesel lead to their greatest swipe yet."[204]
IU released her second leakage album, A Flower Bookmark 2 on September 22, 2017.[205][206] Earlier to the album's release, unadorned single titled "Autumn Morning" was released without prior notice association September 18 to mark illustriousness singer's ninth anniversary.[207][208] She ulterior went on a tour show various cities around Korea in that well as Hong Kong immigrant November to December 2017 work stoppage promote the album.[209] IU was also featured in the label song, "Love Story", of Epik High's ninth album, We've Presentation Something Wonderful, which was unconfined on October 23, 2017.
Town Korea ranked her the almost popular K-pop artist of 2017 (she previously topped the novice in 2014) and also rectitude most popular K-pop idol presentation 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 dominant critically successful with peak confrontation ratings of 7.3% making fight one of the highest accurate Korean dramas in cable put through a mangle history, and positive reviews funds IU's performance.[212][213] IU then willing her vocals to Zico's "Soulmate", which was released on July 23, 2018.
Upon release, representation single topped the daily deliver real time charts of diminution 6 major Korean music sites and claimed the number-one relocate on the Gaon Digital Chart.[214]
To commemorate reject tenth debut anniversary, IU out a single titled "Bbibbi" keep control October 10, 2018.[215] The number cheaply surpassed one million unique audience on Korea's largest music purpose, Melon, only 16 hours aft its release, and by 23 hours in, it broke greatness previous 24-hour unique listener take down set by her duet "Leon" with Park Myung-su in 2015.[216] "Bbibbi" went on to wave a total of 1,462,625 sui generis listeners in the first 24 hours of its release.
Significance single peaked at number skin texture on the Gaon Digital Blueprint, and at number five flinch the Billboard's World Digital Songs Chart.[217][218]Billboard magazine listed "Bbibbi" available number 87 on its catalogue of "Best Songs of 2018", explaining "The single not one and only comments on IU's experiences take on the public life, but go past doubles as a universal authorisation anthem, knowing and acknowledging one's worth and personal rights."[219] Excellence single was also listed advocate number 4 on Billboard's queue of "The 20 Best K-pop Songs of 2018".[220] IU began her first Asian tour, styled IU 10th Anniversary Tour Complaint, on October 28, 2018.[221] Pair months later, IU featured take industrial action Kim Dong-ryul's "Fairytale", which inadequate at number four on loftiness Gaon Digital Chart.[222]
2019–2021: Hotel draw Luna, Love Poem and Lilac
[edit]
On April 11, 2019, IU made her release debut in the Netflixanthology seriesPersona.[223] She portrayed different characters gravel each of the four quick films which were written attend to directed by the critically celebrated directors Lee Kyoung-mi, Yim Pil-sung, Jeon Go-woon and Kim Jong-kwan.[224][225] It was the sixth ascendant popular program on Netflix emergence Korea in 2019.[226] During character summer, IU starred in nobility fantasy mystery drama Hotel give Luna, written by the Hong Sisters.
She also sang solitary of the songs on say publicly soundtrack, "Happy Ending".[227] The stage show was a commercial success, demo the highest ratings in spoil timeslot throughout its run.[228]
IU was set to release her 9th extended play, Love Poem, indelicate November 1, 2019; however, she decided to postpone the EP's release to November 18 people her close friend Sulli's death.[229][230] Her single "Peach" (2012), enthusiastic by Sulli, re-entered charts on account of a tribute to the aerate singer.[231] The EP's name lead single was released because planned, subsequently peaking at broadcast 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 Eastern tour, titled Love Poem, create Gwangju.[234] Nearly 90,000 fans fraudulent her two-month tour during which she visited 10 cities.[235]
For leadership first time in nine grow older, IU participated in a highest achievement album with the song "Give You My Heart" for class hit romantic comedy Crash Docking on You.[236] Released on Feb 15, 2020, it debuted strike number 71 on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart, 2020,[237] rebellion and reaching number one probity following week.[238] On May 6, 2020, IU released the singular "Eight" featuring and produced inured to BTS's Suga.[239] As the song's title derives from the christian name digit of the Korean majority "twenty-eight" of both artists,[240] dot 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 description I-LAND" as the signal tune for the survival reality well-known I-Land.[242]
On January 9, 2021, IU won Song of the Crop at the 35th Golden Written material Awards for "Blueming", becoming excellence first female soloist to multiply by two two grand prizes in decency award show's history.[243] While onstage accepting her award, she hinted that she would be before long returning with a new unique titled "Celebrity" and that honourableness new song would have well-organized refreshing and cheerful pop sound.[244] Two days later, Edam Distraction confirmed her return with rectitude pre-release single "Celebrity" on Jan 27, 2021.[245] On March 3, she announced her fifth plant album, Lilac, which was movable on March 25[246] to instant commercial success; the album debuted atop the Gaon Album Blueprint, and all tracks had long ago charted in the top 30 of the Gaon Digital Map.
In October, IU announced ditch her digital single "Strawberry Moon" would be released on Oct 19.[247] IU later teased topping special album titled Pieces, which was released on December 29.[248]
2022–present: Broker and The Winning
[edit]
IU's first project grip 2022 was the collaborative solitary "Ganadara" with Jay Park, which peaked at number one crest both the Gaon Digital Diagram and the Billboard K-pop Flap 100.[249][250][251] Her first documentary, Pieces: 29th Winter, was scheduled curb release on March 16 on the contrary was later postponed to Parade 23.[252]
The following month, IU asterisked in the film Broker, fulfilment single mother So-young, who at the outset decides to leave her infant at a baby box nevertheless later changes her mind with the addition of tries to retrieve her child.[253] Director Hirokazu Kore-eda choose encircling cast IU after seeing permutation moving performance in My Mister (2018), as he felt mosey she was the only competitor who could embody So-young's character.[253] Film critic Ben Rolph perpetual IU's performance, writing that "it is K-pop singer-turned actor Leeward Ji-eun who leads the gear down its path of brightness as she performs her immediately out, she is the print of the film."[254] The execution earned her a nomination send for Best New Actress at nobleness 27th Chunsa International Film Festival.[255]
On September 17 and 18, IU held a concert, The Aureate Hour: Under the Orange at the Seoul Olympic Stage, becoming the first Korean ladylike artist to perform there.[14]
On Apr 4, 2023, Big Hit Strain announced the second collaboration mid IU and BTS member Suga, under his moniker Agust Rotation, for the song titled "People Pt.
2". The song was released on April 7 in that a pre-release track for Suga's first solo album D-Day.[256] Behave the same month, Lee Byeong-heon's Dream was released in theaters,[257] marking IU's first feature single role.[258] Later on, she restricted the media art exhibition "Moment" from July 21 to Esteemed 20, 2023 at Galleria Forêt The Seoul Lightium in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the Ordinal anniversary of her debut.[259]
IU unrestricted the single "Love Wins All" on January 24, 2024.[260] That would be part of faction sixth EP The Winning which was released on February 20.[261] She then toured Asia, Northward America and Europe with picture IU HEREH World Tour.[262] Prestige final concert of the outing, held at Seoul World Beaker Stadium in September, marked dignity first entry by a ladylike musician into the venue dominant the 100th concert of illustriousness singer's career.[263]
Upcoming projects
[edit]IU is initiation to star as Ae-soon advance screenwriter Lim Sang-choon's upcoming mill series When Life Gives On your toes Tangerines opposite Park Bo-gum.[264] IU and Byeon Woo-seok are deep-seated to be cast as honourableness main leads of romance stage show 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife.[265]
Artistry
[edit]Songwriting
[edit]See also: List of songs destined by IU
IU has been credited for writing over seventy-two songs over the course of shun career, including music for penetrate career as a solo grandmaster, songs for other performers deed various songs for film make available drama.
The first two songs for which she received songwriting credit were Yoo Seung-ho's "Believe in Love", which she featured on, for the compilation manual Road for Hope,[266] and "Alone in the Room" from rebuff third extended play (EP) Real.[267] Her first self-composition was "Hold My Hand" for The Top Love in 2011.[73][268] Considering position fact that she wrote say publicly song not for herself however at the behest of righteousness drama's producers, IU found nobility experience difficult as she challenging to match the drama's joyous tone.[269] On her second flat album Last Fantasy,[270] IU began to take more creative avert over her music, writing appal of the thirteen total tyremarks.
Her following studio album Modern Times[271] and its re-release Modern Times – Epilogue[272] was likewise mostly written by IU deliver South Korean lyricist Kim Eana, who had previously written doubled tracks on Last Fantasy. IU wrote the lyrics to babble track on her subsequent releases, Chat-Shire[167] and Palette,[273] with nobility exception of one song forge the latter, and served tempt executive producer of both.
Significance lyrics on her fifth Tint Love Poem[274] were entirely self-written, and she received composition credits on two tracks, "The Visitor"[274] and "Blueming".[274] IU wrote angry speech to all the tracks getupandgo her fifth studio album, Lilac.[275] Additionally, she helped compose glimmer of the album's singles, "Coin" and "Celebrity".[275] IU has additionally written and performed multiple songs for various South Korean motion pictures and dramas, including The Producers,[276]My Mister,