By Carissa Alcantara
Known for her career of becoming one of the most successful and award-winning solo artists in South Korea, IU's journey to the top was not easy. Her struggles and challenges became her guide to reaching her success today.
IU's career in music has made a remarkable milestone throughout her journey, from collaborating with GDragon (BigBang), Key (Shinee), Zico, and Kim Yuna. The singer's versatility in singing and songwriting made her stand out.
Back in 2021, her song "eight" featuring BTS Suga reached the No. 1 spot on various streaming apps in South Korea. It also broke the record for the most unique listeners in the first hour on Korea’s largest music site Melon. “eight” was listened to by 199,327 users in the first hour after its release.
Despite her success and popularity across the country, the 29-year-old singer and actress still have her down-to-earth personality, which makes her fans love her even more.
Here's everything you need to know about IU:
- She gave up everything to focus on her career. On a Korean reality show called, "Healing Camp" IU shares how she didn't have the grades to go to college, although several universities offered her special admission opportunities, the actress turned them down to keep an eye on her career.
- Her real name is Lee Ji Eun and her stage name is IU. IU means "I and U", symbolizing the force of music that unifies people.
- She is dubbed Nation's Little Sister in South Korea. Earlier this year, she promised to attend one of her fan's graduation.
- IU has been appointed as the honorary ambassador for the EXPO 2021 Yeosu Korea.
- IU is friends with a lot of KPOP idols, musicians, artists, and celebrities. Some of her notable friends are Yoo In Na, T-ara-s Jiyeon, Bae Suzy, Apink's Eunji, and f(x)'s Sulli.
- In 2014, she was diagnosed with bulimia, an eating disorder involving body image and the obsessive desire to lose weight.
- During her career of becoming an artist, IU has failed in 20 auditions on finding the right agent.
- She became a top-rated actress. Aside from singing, IU made her acting debut in Dream High, which was followed by Scarlet Heart Ryeo, My Mister, and Hotel Del Luna.
- She made her debut at the age of 15 with her song "Lost Child" in 2008.
- She has received about 200 nominations for awards and recognition, and has won well over 70 of her nominations. Including Best Female Artists (2017), Best Vocal Performance (2020), and Song of the Year (2020) in Mnet Asian Music Awards.