IU (아이유)

🏆 IU has reached No. 28 in the K-pop Idol ranking for this year 2025.

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 (17 years)

IU (Lee Ji-eun, born 1993) is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actress, and producer. She earned the nickname “Nation’s Little Sister” in the late 2000s due to her wholesome public image and wide appeal.

Early life

IU grew up in a family consisting of her parents and a younger brother. Her early life was marked by significant financial hardship following the failure of her father’s business. As a result, the family was forced to move in with her grandmother and live under impoverished conditions. In an interview on the SBS talk show Healing Camp, Aren’t You Happy, IU recalled surviving primarily on instant noodles and living in an unheated room during the winter, a difficult period that she has frequently mentioned in subsequent interviews.

Career Highlights

In 2008, IU officially debuted with the mini album Lost and Found under LOEN Entertainment. However, this first release was not well received by the market, both commercially and critically. Nevertheless, just two years later, IU began to gain wide attention thanks to the success of songs like Good Day (2010) and You & I (2011), establishing her as one of the most prominent solo artists of her generation.

In addition to music, IU ventured into acting starting in 2011. After years of gaining experience, she made a significant impact with the lead role in My Mister (2018), a television drama highly praised for its emotional depth. Her role in the film Broker (2022)—which was selected to compete at the Cannes Film Festival—further solidified IU’s status as a serious actress, not just a “singer-turned-actor.”

Difficulties

Despite her success, IU has also faced several controversies. In 2012, she sparked public uproar after posting a private photo with Eunhyuk (Super Junior), showing the two sitting close together on a bed. The image spread rapidly and became her first personal scandal. In 2013, IU went public with her relationship with Jang Kiha, which ended in 2017. Since then, she has chosen to keep her love life private.

Another controversial moment was the release of her song Zezé (2015). In this track, IU was criticized for attributing mature overtones to a child character from the novel My Sweet Orange Tree. Although she explained that her interpretation was personal and artistic, the backlash continued for years. Nonetheless, Zezé marked a turning point when IU began taking full creative control over her songwriting—something rarely seen among female artists in K-pop.

From the album Palette (2017) to Love Poem (2019) and Lilac (2021), IU wrote her own lyrics, participated in production, and determined the musical direction of her work—a rare feat for female artists in the industry. With her mezzo-soprano voice, IU doesn’t focus on vocal acrobatics but rather on conveying emotion—most evident in the ballad Through the Night, a gentle, chorus-free track that topped the Gaon Chart for six consecutive weeks in 2017.

Reputation

Beyond her artistic career, IU is also known for her generosity and humble lifestyle. She regularly donates quietly to charity funds, supporting children, the elderly, and people in need. This positive image has helped IU overcome various controversies and continue to be widely loved by the public. With her refined persona and unique artistry, she was chosen as a global ambassador for Gucci from 2022 to the present.

After more than 15 years in the industry, IU has built a strong reputation in singing, songwriting, acting, and personal branding. Despite the harshness of South Korea’s entertainment world, she has maintained her title as the “Nation’s Little Sister” and a “chart-topping guarantee,” constantly striving for growth and making a positive impact on popular culture.

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.
The Instagram username @dlwlrma comes from typing “Lee Ji-geum” on a QWERTY keyboard using Korean input.
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.