About IU

2008–2010: Debut and Early Success

At 15, IU debuted with the EP Lost and Found in 2008. Her subsequent albums, Growing Up and IU...IM (2009), garnered mainstream attention. The 2010 single "Good Day" from the album Real propelled her to national stardom, topping South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart for five consecutive weeks. In 2019, "Good Day" was ranked number one on Billboard's "100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s" list.

2011–2013: Establishing Dominance

IU solidified her position in the music industry with albums like Real+ and Last Fantasy in 2011. She ventured into songwriting with "Hold My Hand" for the television series The Greatest Love. Her third studio album, Modern Times (2013), marked a more mature musical style, with several tracks reaching the top 10 on the Gaon Digital Chart. The album was ranked number two on Billboard's "25 Greatest K-Pop Albums of the 2010s" list.

2014–2016: Diversification and Acting

Expanding her artistic range, IU starred in the television series You're the Best! Lee Soon-shin (2013) and Bel Ami (2013–2014). She also appeared in The Producers (2015) and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016). Her role in My Mister (2018) received critical acclaim, earning her a Best Actress nomination at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards.

2017–2019: Creative Control and Continued Success

IU's fourth studio album, Palette (2017), became her first to reach number one on Billboard's World Albums chart. Her subsequent records, Love Poem (2019) and Lilac (2021), continued to deviate from mainstream K-pop styles, exploring and mixing various music genres. Her 2020 single "Eight" (produced by Suga) became her first to reach number one on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart.

2020–2022: Film and Concert Milestones

In 2022, IU starred in the film Broker, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, which was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. She also held a concert, The Golden Hour: Under the Orange Sun, at the Seoul Olympic Stadium on September 17 and 18, becoming the first Korean female artist to perform there.

2023–Present: Collaborations and New Releases

In April 2023, IU collaborated with BTS member Suga on the song "People Pt. 2," which served as a pre-release track for Suga's solo album D-Day. On January 24, 2024, she released the single "Love Wins All," followed by her sixth EP, The Winning, on February 20, 2024.

Throughout her career, IU has received numerous awards, including twenty-five Melon Music Awards, sixteen Gaon Chart Music Awards, and five Korean Music Awards. She has been recognized for her influence and success in the music industry, earning the title "Best New Actress" at the 2014 KBS Drama Awards for her performance in You're the Best, Lee Soon-shin.

IU's evolution from a teenage singer to a multifaceted artist and actress underscores her enduring impact on the entertainment industry.