The Pulse of K-Entertainment

IU
ArtistEDAM Entertainment

IU

Korea's measuring stick for solo success. IU (아이유), born Lee Ji-eun (이지은) on May 16, 1993, has spent 17 years redefining what a solo career looks like in a market built around groups. She debuted at 15 with the EP "Lost and Found" (September 2008) under LOEN Entertainment and built her catalog hit by hit until "Good Day" in 2010 introduced the world to her signature three-octave runs and simultaneous No. 1 status on every major Korean chart: the song that first earned the title of "Perfect All-Kill." That standard, which IU helped create, is now her legacy. She has achieved a Perfect All-Kill for 20+ songs, a record no Korean artist has matched. When only BIGBANG sat in the same tier entering 2025, both acts were already benchmarks. Gallup Korea named her Singer of the Year in 2014, 2017, and 2025. The studio catalog runs deep: Modern Times (2013), Palette (2017), LILAC (2021), and the 2024 mini-album The Winning, which opened with "Love Wins All" featuring V. She has composed or co-written the majority of her own work across six studio albums. Acting credentials are no footnote. After My Mister (tvN, 2018) and Hotel del Luna (tvN, 2019), the Cannes-screened film Broker (2022) earned multiple Best New Actress awards. Netflix's When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) swept year-end drama awards: Grand Prize at APAN Star Awards, Best Actress at Blue Dragon Series Awards, Outstanding Korean Actress at Seoul International Drama Awards. Currently under EDAM Entertainment. Fandom: UAENA (유애나).
4 articles12 creditsDebut: September 18, 2008South Korean

Gallery

Discography

2024
The WinningMini Album
Artist
2021
LILACAlbum
Artist
2020
EightSingle
Artist
2019
Love PoemMini Album
Artist
2017
PaletteAlbum
Artist
2013
Modern TimesAlbum
Artist
2011
Last FantasyAlbum
Artist

Filmography

2026
Perfect CrownK-Drama
Sung Hee Joo (lead)MBC
2025
When Life Gives You TangerinesK-Drama
Oh Ae-sun (lead)
2022
BrokerFilm
Soyoung
2019
Hotel del LunaK-Drama
Jang Manwol (lead)
2018
My MisterK-Drama
Lee Jian (lead)

Fans Also Ask

What is IU real name?
IU real name is Lee Ji-eun (이지은). She was born on May 16, 1993 in Seoul, South Korea. Her stage name IU stands for I and You, symbolizing the connection between herself and her audience through music.
When did IU debut?
IU debuted on September 18, 2008 at age 15 under LOEN Entertainment (now Kakao Entertainment) with the song Lost Child. She became one of the youngest solo artists to debut in K-pop and has since built a two-decade career spanning music and acting.
What is IU best-selling album?
Lilac (2021) is IU commercial peak, selling over 950,000 copies and becoming her first million-seller. The album marked her departure from cute concepts to mature artistry. Her concert album The Golden Hour (2022) captured her historic performance at Seoul Olympic Stadium.
Has IU acted in any dramas?
IU has notable acting credits including My Mister (2018) which earned critical acclaim, Hotel del Luna (2019) as the hotel CEO Jang Man-wol, and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016). She also starred in the film Broker (2022) directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda.
What are IU major concert tours?
IU major tours include The Golden Hour: Under the Orange Sun (2022) at Seoul Olympic Stadium where she became one of the few solo artists to headline the venue, and the H.E.R.E.H World Tour (2024-2025) which marked her first extensive US performances.

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