IU (Lee Ji-eun), one of South Korea’s leading solo artists, has been at the center of multiple controversies and scandals throughout her career – ranging from accusations of digital chart manipulation to backlash over imagery and public remarks.
Scandal #1 – Intimate Photo with Eunhyuk (2012)
A private photo of IU and Eunhyuk (from Super Junior) was leaked online, sparking over 500,000 discussions within just 48 hours across Korean and international social media platforms, according to data from Nate and Naver in November 2012. In the photo, IU is seen in pajamas lying on a bed, with a shirtless Eunhyuk sitting beside her. Although IU’s agency explained that Eunhyuk had merely visited her while she was ill, the image starkly contradicted the innocent schoolgirl persona LOEN Entertainment had long promoted through music videos like Marshmallow and You & I.
Scandal #2 – “Zezé” and the Chat-Shire Album (2015)
The Chat-Shire album marked IU’s transition into music production, but it became mired in controversy due to the track “Zezé.” The song was criticized for allegedly sexualizing the character Zezé, a 5-year-old boy from the novel My Sweet Orange Tree. The book’s publisher publicly objected, stating that the song’s lyrics violated the original spirit of the work.
Additionally, the album was found to contain an unauthorized sample from Britney Spears’ song “Gimme More.” IU issued a public apology and removed the track from several platforms. This incident marked her first major lesson as a producer—highlighting how lyrics, visuals, and even minor samples could become grounds for legal or ethical scrutiny, particularly when the artist takes on a self-directed creative role.
Scandal #3 – Controversial Remarks
In one program, IU named Kim Tae Woo as her ideal type but was later accused of being “cold” toward him during a joint appearance, leading to suspicions that she was merely “using” his name for publicity.
On another occasion, she joked that Wooyoung (2PM) would be “cool if he ordered beef while I’m in the bathroom”—a comment deemed inappropriate by viewers. These incidents reflect the heightened scrutiny female celebrities often face, even when speaking in casual, entertainment-based contexts rather than formal settings.
Scandal #4 – Foreign Podcast Spreads False Allegations
In 2025, an international podcast claimed IU was involved in a “high-end prostitution ring,” alleging a rate of $500,000 per night. The episode provided no evidence, no verifiable sources, and no identifiable informants—yet it spread rapidly under the guise of “content freedom,” a common feature of personalized podcasts, particularly in the U.S. and Canada.
Global fans expressed outrage, demanded the podcast’s removal, and called on IU’s agency EDAM to pursue legal action. Despite the uproar, IU maintained a silent and cautious stance, reinforcing her trust in legal measures rather than engaging in media-driven confrontation.
Scandal #5 – Behind-the-Scenes Issues on When Life Gives You Tangerines
The film When Life Gives You Tangerines, starring IU, achieved both commercial and critical success. However, the production team faced accusations of mistreating background actors, working in extreme conditions, lacking necessary props, and even causing damage to Jeju’s cultural heritage. Although IU was not directly involved in the production process, she became the focus of criticism on major online forums such as DC Inside, Theqoo, and Nate for failing to speak out—given her status as the film’s public face.
Netflix announced it would launch an investigation, but the controversy reignited debate on Korean platforms like Naver TV and YouTube over the accountability of celebrities who lend their names to promote potentially unethical projects.
