2008: Debut
IU debuted on a Korean music program called M! Countdown in September 18, 2008. On September 23, 2008, she released her first mini-album, Lost and Found, in which the most famous song was the title track, "Missing Child." However, the album was not commercially successful. It wasn't until her follow-up album that she succeeded in breaking into the mainstream.
2009
On April 16, 2009, IU launched her first full album, titled Growing Up, with the lead promotional number "Boo." Within three weeks, "Boo" went up to the #1 contenders for SBS Inkigayo, and her name also went up twice on Take 7 together with other notable artists like SG Wannabe and Younha. The song also did well on KBS Music Bank K-Chart, on Mnet M!Countdown chart, and on various online music charts.
In 2009, IU sang the ending title song, "Araro", for the acclaimed MBC drama Queen Seon Duk, where she was recommended by the director, Sam Kim, citing her "clear tone and her lyrical sensibility." She was also featured on Mighty Mouth's album Love Class in the song "희망사항." In late 2009, IU recorded MC Mong's song "Love Letter For You (Neoyege Sseuneun Pyeonji)," featuring SHINee's Key as a rapper in the song.
2010
IU recorded the song "잔소리" (Nagging / Scolded) with 2AM's Seulong for the TV show We Got Married. On June 27, 2010, IU won her first award since her debut on SBS Inkigayo for "Nagging." On July 2, 2010, she won another award for that song on KBS Music Bank K-Chart. Soon after, IU was chosen to sing the main OST song for the MBC drama Road No.1 titled "여자라서" (Because I'm A Woman). IU's other collaborations include duets with Yoo Seung Ho ("사랑을 믿어요" (Believe in Love)), Sung Shi Kyung ("그대네요" (It's You)), and Big Bang's Seungri ("I Know").
IU worked with some of South Korea's most famous musicians and producers for her third mini-album, REAL, released in December 2010. Lee Min Soo and Kim Eana, the creators of IU's previous hit "Nagging", helped produce her award-winning song "좋은 날" ("Good Day"). IU received three SBS Inkigayo Mutizen awards for her performances of the song (on December 18 and December 26, 2010, and January 2, 2011), three awards from KBS Music Bank K-Chart (on December 24 and December 31, 2010, and January 7, 2011), and one award from Mnet M!Countdown on December 23, 2010.
2011
IU often covers other pop artists' songs with her guitar and features her friend Thunder from MBLAQ, most notably renditions of SHINee's "Juliette," Big Bang's "Lies," Super Junior's "Sorry, Sorry" and Girls' Generation's "Gee."
Soribada, an online music service, combined the music downloads and streams from January 1 to March 30, 2011, to name IU's song, "Good Day" as the number one song of the first quarter. Her song "Someday" from the KBS Drama Dream High OST and her ballad "The Story Only I Didn't Know" placed 4th and 7th place, respectively – showing that IU got 3 of the top 10 digital spots for the first quarter. Her first original composition, "Dreaming" was used in the drama "Dream High", but not released officially.
On June 18, 2011, IU held her first official fanmeeting and mini-concert at AX-Korea. It also marked the 1004th day since she debuted.
IU also sang a self-composed OST called "Hold my Hand" for drama series The Greatest Love.
On November 29, 2011, IU's second full length album Last Fantasy was released and achieved an ‘all-kill’ as all 13 songs immediately swept most of all the charts. The track list was revealed on November 22, 2011.
2012
On January 24, 2012, IU held a live showcase at Tokyo's Bunkamura Orchard Hall. On March 1st, 2012, she released a promotional video for the Japanese version of "Good Day", the title track of her Japanese single album. The album, which includes DVD footage from the showcase, was later released on March 21, 2012.
In early April, 2012, it was announced that IU will be holding her first solo tour, "Real Fantasy", starting in June. The tour features performances in six different cities across South Korea, including Seoul and Busan.
IU released the single album, "Spring of a Twenty Year Old" ("스무 살의 봄"), on May 11th, 2012.[16] The album contains three songs, one of which is self-composed by IU. This song, entitled "Peach" ("복숭아"), was digitally released before the album, on May 4th, 2012. A 26-minute-long documentary-style music video film was released alongside the album, featuring several interviews with IU that showcase her personal thoughts and experiences. This film contains footage of IU as she visits Venice, Italy.
2021
On January 11, 2021 IU, and her agency EDAM Entertainment, officially announced that they will be releasing a single from her upcoming album on January 27, 2021.
On January 27, 2021 at 18:00 KST (UTC+9) EDAM Entertainment globally released IU's comeback single entitled "Celebrity". The track was released in major online streaming platforms in South Korea and worldwide and achieved multiple All-Kills in Korean charts every hour.
Between the Lips
IU Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
두 입술 사이 거린 아직까진 50cm
달콤한 말로 뻔한 말로
착한 나를 유혹하려 하진 말아주세요
사랑은 이 사랑은 완벽할 거에요
Largo adagio 조급해 말아요
Slowly baby slowly, very slow
Oh darling 넘지 말아요
두 입술 사이 거린 아직까진 50cm
솔직한 말로 그 말로 순결한 그대 맘을
내가 느낄 때까진
그 거리는 50cm
사랑은 이 사랑은 완벽할 거에요
Largo adagio 조급해 말아요
Slowly baby slowly, very slow
느린 템포로
우리 사랑은 이 사랑은
짜릿할 거에요
Love ya, baby love ya 그대 윗입술에
빨간 나의 아랫 입술이
닿을 때 쯤엔
제발 넘지 말아요
두 입술 사이 거린 아직까진 50cm
달콤한 말로 그 말로 제발 흔한 여자로
만들진 말아주세요
조금만 날 아껴줘요
두 입술 사인 아직 50cm
Hush hush baby, push me oh baby
이 작은 부탁만 들어줘요
Hush hush baby, cherish me baby
The lyrics to IU's song "입술 사이" (Between the Lips) speak of the anticipation, excitement, and nervousness that come with being in a new, blossoming romance. The lyrics begin by addressing the titular "lips" and the 50cm distance between them, a clear reference to the space between two people getting closer physically and emotionally. The singer implores her partner to take things slow and not to rush, reminding him to savor the moment and not ruin it with hasty actions or words.
The singer goes on to describe the perfection of the love between the two, but still emphasizes the need for patience and slower tempo. As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the singer's desire for honesty and purity, hoping to appreciate her partner's emotions and not wanting to be seen as just an ordinary woman. She asks her partner to cherish her and take care of her, making sure that their distance remains 50cm until it is time to close that gap.
Overall, the lyrics of "입술 사이" are a beautiful representation of the fluttering feelings and excitement of new love. They highlight the importance of taking things slowly and cherishing one's partner, making sure to appreciate every moment of the blossoming relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh darling 넘지 말아요
Don't cross the line, oh darling
두 입술 사이 거린 아직까진 50cm
The distance between our two lips is still 50cm
달콤한 말로 뻔한 말로
Don't try to seduce me with sweet or clichéd words
착한 나를 유혹하려 하진 말아주세요
Please don't try to tempt the good side of me
사랑은 이 사랑은 완벽할 거에요
Love, this love, will be perfect
Largo adagio 조급해 말아요 Slowly baby slowly, very slow 느린 템포로
Don't be impatient, let's take it slow, with a slow tempo
솔직한 말로 그 말로 순결한 그대 맘을 내가 느낄 때까진 그 거리는 50cm
Until I can feel the purity of your heart through your honest words, the distance between us remains 50cm
우리 사랑은 이 사랑은 짜릿할 거에요
Our love, this love, will be thrilling
Love ya, baby love ya 그대 윗입술에 빨간 나의 아랫 입술이 닿을 때 쯤엔
When my red lower lip meets your upper lip that I love,
제발 넘지 말아요
Please don't cross the line
달콤한 말로 그 말로 제발 흔한 여자로 만들진 말아주세요
Please don't turn me into a common girl with your sweet words
조금만 날 아껴줘요 두 입술 사인 아직 50cm
Please take care of me a little bit, the two lips are still 50cm apart
Hush hush baby, push me oh baby 이 작은 부탁만 들어줘요
Hush hush baby, push me oh baby, please listen to this small request
Hush hush baby, cherish me baby
Hush hush baby, cherish me baby
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Go Rilla
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind