Artist Profile
- Real Name: Lee Ji-eun
- Native Name: 아이유
- Nicknames: Nation's Little Sister
- Birthday: May 16, 1993 (32 years old)
- Blood type: A
- Height/Weight: 162 cm (5’4") / 47 kg (103 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- Debut: September 18, 2008
- MBTI: INFJ (The Advocate)
- Birthplace: Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Actress
- Languages: Korean, English
- Current Agency: EDAM Entertainment
- Years Active: 2008–present (18 years)
IU, born Lee Ji-eun in 1993, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. In the late 2000s, she was dubbed “The Nation’s Little Sister” by the South Korean media.
Early life
IU was born into a family consisting of her parents and a younger brother. After her father’s business venture failed, the family experienced financial difficulties and moved in with her grandmother.
IU attended 20 auditions without success and was also defrauded by individuals posing as entertainment agencies. She later trained at Good Entertainment alongside Uee, Yubin, Heo Ga-yoon, and Jun Hyo-seong. In 2007, IU signed with LOEN Entertainment and moved to Bangbae, Seoul. Due to difficult living conditions, she stated that she preferred staying at the studio because it provided meals and a place to sleep.
As her career progressed, IU attended school less frequently and her academic performance declined, with the exception of Korean literature. In 2012, she graduated from Dongduk Girls’ High School and chose not to pursue higher education in order to focus on her singing career.
Career
In 2008, IU debuted after approximately ten months of training under LOEN Entertainment. On September 18, 2008, she performed her debut single “Lost Child” (미아) for the first time on the music program M Countdown. Her debut EP, Lost and Found, was released on September 24, 2008. In November of the same year, the album was awarded “Rookie of the Month” by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea.
In 2009, IU released her first studio album, Growing Up, on April 23, featuring the lead single “Boo.” In November, she released her second EP, IU…IM, along with the single “Marshmallow” (마쉬멜로우).
On June 3, 2010, IU released the duet single “Nagging” (잔소리) with 2AM’s Lim Seul-ong. The song held the number one spot on the Gaon Digital Chart for three consecutive weeks. On December 9, her EP Real was released, featuring the lead single “Good Day” (좋은 날).
In 2011, IU starred in the teen drama series Dream High, which aired from January to February. She also released the track “Someday” for the soundtrack, which reached number one on the Gaon Digital Chart. The EP Real+ was released on February 16, 2011. Later that year, her second studio album, Last Fantasy, debuted on November 29 and topped the Gaon Album Chart.
In 2012, IU held showcase performances in Japan and released Japanese singles. In June, she embarked on her first concert tour in South Korea titled Real Fantasy. On May 11, the single album Spring of a Twenty Year Old was released with two singles.
In 2013, IU took on her first leading role in the television series You Are the Best!. In October, her third studio album, Modern Times, was released and topped the Gaon Album Chart. At the end of the year, a repackaged version, Modern Times – Epilogue, was released featuring the single “Friday” (금요일에 만나요).
In 2014, IU released her first cover album, A Flower Bookmark, consisting of remakes of Korean songs from the 1980s and 1990s. During the year, she held a concert series in Seoul and performed in the United States for the first time at the KCON festival.
In 2015, IU starred in the drama series The Producers. That same year, the EP Chat-Shire was released on October 23, featuring tracks she personally composed and wrote.
In 2016, IU played the lead role in the historical fantasy drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.
On April 21, 2017, IU released her fourth studio album, Palette, serving as the primary songwriter and executive producer. The album topped the Billboard World Albums Chart. Later that year, the EP A Flower Bookmark 2 was released in September.
In 2018, IU starred in the tvN drama My Mister. In October, she released the single “Bbibbi” to commemorate her 10th anniversary and launched an Asian tour.
In 2019, IU appeared in the anthology film series Persona. At the end of the year, her EP Love Poem was released, followed by an Asian tour of the same name.
In 2020, IU released soundtrack songs and collaboration singles, and participated in the reality show I-Land as the performer of its theme song.
In 2021, her fifth studio album, Lilac, was released on March 25. The EP Pieces followed at the end of the year on December 29.
In 2022, IU released the collaboration single “Ganadara” and starred in the film Broker, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. In September, she held the concert The Golden Hour: Under the Orange Sun at the Seoul Olympic Stadium.
In 2023, IU collaborated with Suga on the track “People Pt. 2,” released under his pseudonym Agust D.
In 2024, IU released the EP The Winning and began her world tour, HEREH, performing in numerous countries across Asia, Europe, and North America. In September, she held encore concerts at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
In 2025, IU starred in the drama When Life Gives You Tangerines and released her remake album A Flower Bookmark 3 in May.
In 2026, IU stars as Seong Hee Joo in the drama Wife of a 21st Century Prince alongside Byeon Woo Seok, which airs on MBC during the first half of the year.
Challenges
Throughout her artistic career, IU has encountered several controversies. In 2012, she posted a photo with Eunhyuk (a member of Super Junior), in which both were seen sitting together on a bed. The image quickly went viral and drew significant public attention.
In 2013, IU confirmed her romantic relationship with Jang Kiha. The couple ended their relationship in 2017. Following this period, she has been more reserved regarding her personal life.
In 2015, IU released the song “Zezé,” inspired by the novel My Sweet Orange Tree. The track sparked controversy due to its portrayal of a child character with elements deemed inappropriate. IU later explained that it was a personal interpretation within her songwriting process. The incident drew polarized opinions for an extended period. From this stage onward, she began to involve herself more deeply in the songwriting and music production process.
Fun Facts
- IU has never learned how to drive and does not hold a driver’s license.
- IU is skilled at flipping water bottles.
- IU admires singer Corinne Bailey Rae.
- IU can rotate her wrist 360 degrees.
- IU enjoys eating raw beef liver and tripe.
- IU only likes mint chocolate when it is frozen.
- IU dislikes swimming and avoids going to the sea.
- IU occasionally performs at the weddings of acquaintances.
- Her Instagram handle, @dlwlrma, is derived from typing “Lee Ji-geum” on a QWERTY keyboard.
- IU’s favorite color is purple.
- IU once believed her blood type was A, but it is actually O.
- IU’s actual height is approximately 161–162 cm.
- IU’s younger brother once hid his relationship to her due to public attention.
- IU developed a habit of saving money from a young age.
- IU wrote the song “4AM” after waking up suddenly at 4 a.m.
- IU refers to female fans as “star candy,” male fans as “bread,” and anti-fans as “milk.”
- The nickname “IU Ray” originated among StarCraft II players.
- IU and actress Yoo In-na maintain a close friendship despite a 10-year age difference.
Photo Gallery
