IU, born Lee Ji-eun on May 16, 1993, is a multi-talented South Korean singer-songwriter, composer, and actress. She began her journey in the entertainment industry when she signed with LOEN Entertainment (now Kakao Entertainment) in 2007 as a trainee. At the tender age of fifteen, she debuted as a singer with her first extended play (EP) titled “Lost and Found” in 2008. While her initial albums, “Growing Up” and “IU…IM,” achieved mainstream success, it was the release of the lead single “Good Day” from her 2010 album “Real” that propelled her to national stardom. “Good Day” dominated South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart for five consecutive weeks and was even ranked as the number one K-pop song of the 2010s on Billboard’s prestigious list in 2019. With the tremendous success of her albums in 2011, namely “Real+” and “Last Fantasy,” IU solidified her position on the music charts of her homeland and earned the endearing moniker of Korea’s “little sister” due to her relatable and girl-next-door image.
During this time, she also showcased her songwriting skills with the track “Hold My Hand,” which was penned for the television series “The Greatest Love.” In 2013, IU’s third studio album, “Modern Times,” unveiled a more mature musical style, departing from her earlier youthful image. Several tracks from the album soared into the top 10 on the Gaon Digital Chart, and it secured the second spot on Billboard’s list of the “25 Greatest K-Pop Albums of the 2010s.” Notably, IU took on greater creative control over her music, as evidenced by her album “Chat-Shire,” where she received sole credit as the lyricist. Her fourth studio album, “Palette,” released in 2017, marked a significant milestone for her as it became her first album to reach number one on Billboard’s World Albums chart. Throughout her career, IU continued to explore and blend various music genres in her subsequent albums, such as “Love Poem” and “Lilac,” while maintaining her consistent dominance on South Korean music charts. In 2020, her single “Eight” achieved the remarkable feat of reaching number one on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.
Beyond her accomplishments in music, IU has also made a mark in acting and hosting radio and television shows. After a supporting role in the teen drama “Dream High” (2011) and minor appearances in several TV series, she transitioned into leading roles in renowned television dramas like “You Are the Best!” (2013), “Pretty Man” (2013-2014), “The Producers” (2015), and “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” (2016). IU’s portrayal of a desperate office worker in the drama “My Mister” (2018) garnered critical acclaim, earning her a Best Actress in Television nomination at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. In 2019, she ventured into the anthology film series “Persona” and starred in the fantasy TV series “Hotel del Luna,” which led to her second Best Actress nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards. In 2022, IU showcased her acting prowess in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s film “Broker” alongside esteemed actors Song Kang-ho, Bae Doona, and Gang Dong-won.
IU’s discography boasts five studio albums and nine EPs, with five of them reaching number one on the Gaon Album Chart. She has also achieved an impressive thirty number-one singles, making her the artist with the most chart-topping songs in South Korea. As one of the best-selling solo acts in the K-pop industry, IU accomplished remarkable milestones. In 2019, she became the first solo female K-pop artist to perform at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena during her “Love, Poem” concert tour, and in 2022, she became the first Korean female artist to hold a solo concert, “The Golden Hour,” at Seoul Olympic Stadium. Her remarkable talent has earned her recognition, including being named the 135th greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone in their 2023 ranking. Additionally, IU has been featured in Forbes magazine’s annual Korea Power Celebrity list multiple times, with a peak ranking of number three in 2012. In 2014, Billboard acknowledged her as the all-time leader of its K-pop Hot 100, with the most number-one songs and weeks at the top position on the chart. She was honored as Gallup Korea’s Singer of the Year in 2014 and 2017, solidifying her status as one of South Korea’s most beloved and successful artists.
