IU: K-pop의 공주와 한국의 여동생
(IU: The Princess of K-pop and Korea's Little Sister)
"If you work hard, eventually you will succeed and have people support you," Says Lee Jieun, known as IU professionally, is your idol’s idol. The Princess of k-pop, and “Korea’s little sister”. But who is she actually?
IU was born in Songjeong-dong, Seoul, South Korea. When she was very young, her parents, struggling financially, sent IU and her younger brother to live with their grandmother. The three of them, along with IU's cousin, lived in a one-bedroom, cockroach-infested apartment. Reflecting on this difficult time, IU shared in an interview:
"In this tiny room, I lived with my grandmother, cousin, and brother. It was always cold, and we never had enough to eat." Despite her challenging circumstances, IU was determined to be a beacon of hope for her family. She dreamed of becoming a famous singer to provide for them.
IU pursued her dream with relentless dedication. She attended every audition she could, often using the little money her grandmother earned from selling clothes on the streets. However, the road to success was far from smooth.
"I went to about 20 auditions," IU recalled in an interview. "I failed all 20 times."
Despite the repeated rejections, IU remained undeterred. After one particularly disheartening audition, she declared, "Even if I fail here, I’ll keep going until I get accepted. Thank you!"
Unfortunately, IU’s perseverance made her a target for scammers. Her grandmother had saved a substantial amount of money, only to be duped by a fraudulent "company."
In 2007, IU’s hard work finally paid off when she was accepted into LOEN Entertainment (now KAKAO M Entertainment) as a trainee. She made her debut under the stage name "IU," which stands for "I and You become one through music," on September 18, 2008, at just 15 years old. While it’s not uncommon for 14-year-olds to debut in idol groups today, IU was one of the few to do so at such a young age back then. Her debut album, Lost and Found, with its title track "Lost Child," earned her the "Rookie of the Month" award in November, but the album was not a commercial success. IU herself later admitted that it was a failure.
Despite her powerful and emotional vocals, it was difficult for IU to gain popularity and attract a fanbase. She performed wherever she could, even at a horse racetrack, in an effort to get her name out there.
"Who is she?" remarked two spectators at one of her racetrack performances. "I think she’s that singer, IU."
In an interview, IU admitted that the harsh criticisms she faced sometimes made her want to quit.
"I started singing my songs, but as soon as I began the first line, curses flew at me. They shouted, 'Did you even practice?' and someone even yelled, 'You are a pig!'" she shared on the show Seungseung Janggu.
However, IU chose to focus on the few fans who supported her rather than on her detractors.
"A lone girl cheered me on, screaming her lungs out," IU said after winning an award. "I would like to thank her for her support!"
As IU continued to show appreciation for her fans and maintained her determination to succeed, she gradually became a household name in Korea.
The year after her debut, IU changed her concept and released two albums: Growing Up in April and IU...IM in November. The title tracks "Boo" and "Marshmallow" were upbeat and sweet, contrasting with the melancholy ballad "Lost Child." Both albums were well-received, and IU began to gain more recognition, even appearing on entertainment shows. She also recorded her first soundtracks for the K-dramas Strike Love and Queen Seondeok.
In December 2010, IU released her fourth album, Real, featuring the title track "Good Day," which became one of her most famous songs. "Good Day" topped the Gaon Digital Charts for five consecutive weeks and was named the best K-pop song of 2010 by Billboard Magazine. The song remains one of the best-selling singles in South Korea to this day.
"Good Day" is particularly known for the three high notes IU sings in semitones during the song's climax, a feat that many other singers find challenging to replicate. IU received widespread acclaim for her vocal talent, which she continues to showcase in her music.
In November 2011, IU nearly surpassed the success of Real with her new album Last Fantasy. Eight of the thirteen songs from Last Fantasy placed in the Top 10 of the Gaon Digital Charts, and the album itself topped the Gaon Album Charts. The title track "You & I" sold over 5.5 million digital copies, almost a million more than "Good Day." It also topped both the Gaon Charts and the newly introduced Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 Charts.
Over the following years, IU continued to release hit after hit, including "The Red Shoes" from Modern Times (2013), "Friday" from Modern Times - Epilogue (2013), and "My Old Story" from A Flower Bookmark (2014). Her B-side tracks also frequently placed in the top 10 of the charts.
IU's album Cat-Shire, released on October 23, 2015, marked a new milestone in her career. She was more involved in the creative process than ever before, writing the lyrics for all nine tracks, composing the music for five of them, and being listed as a producer. The album's title track "Twenty-Three" reached the top of the Korean charts, and several other songs from the album placed in the top 10.
IU's album Love Poem was originally scheduled for release on November 1, 2019, but it was postponed to November 18 after the passing of her close friend Sulli, a former member of the girl group f(x). Sadly, just a few weeks later, another close friend of IU, Goo Hara, also took her own life on November 24. IU was performing a concert when she received the heartbreaking news.
Fans were understandably concerned for IU, especially since another close friend, SHINee's Jonghyun, had also taken his own life in 2017. Despite these tragedies, IU remained strong. She confirmed a film role in January 2020 and released new music in February, including a soundtrack for the hit drama Crash Landing On You.
On May 6, 2020, IU released the single "Eight," co-produced and sung with BTS's Suga. The song conveys a nostalgic mood, with lyrics that reflect on memories and longing. The partially animated music video features IU tearfully watching a girl fly away on a dragon. Many fans interpret this as a tribute to her deceased friends, with the dragon representing Jonghyun, often referred to as "Dino," and the girl symbolizing Sulli. Although IU has not confirmed this interpretation, "Eight" remains a song that deeply resonates with her fans.
On March 25, 2021, IU released her album Lilac, with the title song of the same name. In the language of flowers, "Lilac" means "memories of youth," symbolizing IU's farewell to her twenties and her embrace of her thirties.
In October 2021, IU released the single "Strawberry Moon" before closing the year with the special album Pieces. Released on December 29, Pieces features five previously unreleased songs, some of which IU had written two to three years earlier but had not yet shared with her fans.
IU's acting career began in 2011 when she starred in the K-drama Dream High. Filming took place from December 2010 to February 2011, just as IU's song "Good Day" was taking off. In the drama, IU played a student at Kirin High, a school for aspiring idols. She also recorded the song "Someday" for the series, which topped the charts and became one of her best-selling soundtracks.
IU's acting talents were soon recognized, leading to numerous cameos in movies and dramas, including the second season of Dream High. She continued to build her acting career, starring in films like Shades of the Heart (2021) as Mi-Yeong, Broker (2022) as So-Young, and the four-episode series Persona, which features four different storylines written and directed by four different directors. Her notable dramas include the historical fantasy romance Moon Lovers and the fantasy drama Hotel Del Luna. Hotel Del Luna, which aired in the second half of 2019, remains her most recent acting role, and fans eagerly await her return to the screen.
In addition to her music and acting careers, IU has been a dedicated ambassador for various causes. In 2013, she was appointed the ambassador for South Korea’s National Police Agency in its anti-bullying campaigns and was made an honorary member of the police force. She is also the honorary ambassador for EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea and serves as a brand ambassador for Estée Lauder, among others.
IU has also received an impressive total of 25 awards, including three Daesang awards, which are considered the highest honor bestowed upon a solo artist or group. Among the awards she has earned are:
- The 2018 Asia Artist Awards' StarPay Popularity Award (TV/Film)
- 2018 Asia Hottest Award (TV/Film)
- 2018 Artist of the Year Award (TV/Film)
- 2018 Best Actor Award
In addition, she won the 2021 Best Female Artist Award and the 2021 Best Vocal Performance Award for her hit song "Celebrity.".
IU’s story is proof that with perseverance, kindness and determination, one can achieve success.
NOTES:
•Playlist with all of the albums and songs mentioned to be added
•Citations in progress at this exact moment
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"설움"
*설움
왜 유독 나에게만
이 여름이 지독한 지 모르겠다.
봄이 부서지던 날들은
사실 부서지는 줄도 모르고
지나왔는데,
매일 비가 퍼붓고
땡볕 아래에서 녹아내릴 때마다
내가 너에게 달음박질하고 싶어질까봐 겁이 난다.
사실 핑계다.
비가 온다는 것도,
날이 뜨겁다는 것도,
봄이 끝나고 여름이 왔다는 것도,
다 내비칠 수 없는 설움이다.
내가 가진 속상함이다.
다른 걸로 막아보려고 해도
자꾸 생각이 난다
그게 자꾸 화가 났다가도
메꿔지지 않은 허망함인 걸 알고 밉다가도
이내 서럽고 답답한 기분이 든다.
여름이 지독했으니
가을은 더 그렇겠지,
겨울은 더 춥겠지.
-Ram
*설움
그동안 쌓아 올린 시간들이 마냥 걱정만 할 정도로 믿음을 주지 못했다는 사실에 실망스러웠다. 그렇게 신뢰가 없나. 정말 평소와 전혀 다를 바 없는 날이었는데 그날 이후로 모든 게 바뀌어버렸다. 사형수가 사형을 기다리는 시간만큼이나 초조하고, 절망스러웠던 시간들이 지나갔다. 아니, 그렇다고 난 사형수처럼 죄를 지은 것도 아닌데. 시간이 지나면서 여러 감정들을 거치고 거쳐 결국 서러움까지 밀려오게 되자 이건 아닌 것 같다는 생각이 들었다. 일분일초가 마음 편치 않았던 그 시간들이 고통스러웠다. 그런 시간들이 꼭 필요했던 걸까. 난 잘 모르겠던데.
-Hee
*설움
지난 금요일 동창 한 명이 집에서 번개탄을 피워 자살했다는 부고를 받았다. 고교 3년 내내 한 건물 안에서 함께 살았었지만 말 몇 마디 나눠보지 못 한 친구였다. 지금은 얼굴도 가물가물한. 그래서인지 부고를 받고 놀라긴 했는데 슬프지는 않았더랬다. 거룩하진 못하더라도 쉽지 않은 결정을 내렸는데 잘 알지도 못하는 내가 헛된 연민에 빠지는 것도 우스운 일이리라. 하지만 그가 수면제를 삼키던 순간 그에게 아무런 원통함도 억울함도 없었기를 바랐다. 장례식은 치러지지 못했다. 죽어야 할 이유가 살아야 할 이유보다 더 커지지 않도록 나는 살아야 할 이유를 조금 더 찾아둬야 하겠다.
-Ho
*설움
서러움이라고 하면 느껴본 적 있는데
설움이라고 하니 조금 더 심각해야 할 거 같다.
서운함이나 섭섭함은 이따금 느낀다.
내가 노력한 만큼 인정받지 못했을 때 그렇다.
섭섭함도 서운함도 내가 뭔가 바라는 게 있을 때 느낀다. 내 감정을 내가 선택하는 연습을 했다.
내 기분이 내가 아니라 다른 것에 의해 영향을 받는 순간 내 삶의 주도권을 잃는다.
특히 연애가 그렇다.
내 마음은 잠시 미뤄두고 상대에게 집중하고 그 사람의 말과 행동에 내 기분이 좌지우지된다.
서로를 위해 무언가를 하는 것이 사랑이라고 생각했다. 그렇게 해주는 것으로 끝나는 게 아니라 내가 한 만큼 상대에게 받고 싶은데 상대가 해주지 않을 때 서럽고 서운하다.
요즘 드는 생각은, 각자의 자리에서 할 수 있는 최선을 다하는 게 결국 상대방을 위하는 거라는 생각이 든다.
그 사람이 자기 일을 열심히 하는 게 자기만을 위한 게 아니라 ‘우리’를 위한 것임을 알기 때문이다.
서운함이 들면 자신의 감정에 대해 말할 줄 아는 것도 중요하다.
감정은 삼키는 거보다 말로 내뱉고 나면 사라지는 경우가 많다.
설움이나 서러운 마음이 드는 건 자연스러운 것.
하지만 이내 그 마음은 실체가 없다는 것을 알아차리는 것.
자신의 감정이 무엇인지 알고, 말로 표현하는 것.
-인이
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