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.
Love Letter
IU Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
그날의 끄덕임을 난 잊을 수 없다오
길가에 내린 새벽 그 고요를 기억하오
그날의 다섯시를 난 잊을 수 없다오
반듯하게 내린 기다란 속눈썹 아래
몹시도 사랑히 적어둔 글씨들에
이따금 불러주던 형편없는 휘파람에
그 모든 나의 자리에 나 머물러 있다오
아끼던 연필로 그어놓은 밑줄 아래
우리 둘 나란히 적어둔 이름들에
무심한 걱정으로 묶어주던 신발끈에
그 모든 나의 자리에 나 머물러 있다오
좋아하던 봄 노래와 내리는 눈송이에도
어디보다 그대 안에 나 머물러 있다오
나 머물러 있다오
그대 울지 마시오
In the lyrics of IU's song "Love Letter," she reminisces about her past memories, particularly the first shy hello in the quiet alleyway. She vividly recalls the nod of that day and how unforgettable it was for her. The imagery of the quiet early morning on the street and the peacefulness it brought, along with the memory of that particular five o'clock hour, are etched deeply in her mind, making it impossible for her to forget. This nostalgic recollection sets the tone for the sentimentality and emotional depth of the song.
The lyrics continue to paint a picture of tender moments and intimate feelings, such as the mention of long, perfectly placed eyelashes and the sweet messages written lovingly beneath them. IU hints at the subtle gestures of affection, like the occasional tuneless whistle that used to be sung for her, which still resonate deeply within her being. This emphasizes the enduring impact of past connections and the significance of simple gestures that hold sentimental value and maintain their place in her heart.
The mention of cherished pencil markings underlined with care and the names of two people written side by side signify a bond that is meaningful and lasting. These symbols of love captured in everyday objects like shoelaces tied thoughtlessly with concerns and worries are a poignant reminder of the moments spent together and the sentiment attached to them. IU poetically expresses how she lingers in all these memories, finding solace and a sense of belonging in the traces left behind in the mundane aspects of life.
The final verses of the song evoke a sense of longing and attachment to the past, as IU describes how she remains within the essence of the beloved person, even amidst the joys of spring songs and the beauty of falling snowflakes. The repeated refrain of "I am here, don't cry" conveys comfort and reassurance, suggesting a desire to protect and console the other person from sorrow. Through her heartfelt lyrics and evocative imagery, IU captures the essence of enduring love, nostalgia, and the power of memories to transcend time and bring solace in moments of reflection and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
골목길 머뭇하던 첫 안녕을 기억하오
Remembering the hesitant first goodbye on the alleyway
그날의 끄덕임을 난 잊을 수 없다오
I cannot forget the nod from that day
길가에 내린 새벽 그 고요를 기억하오
Remembering the silence of the dawn that touched the roadside
그날의 다섯시를 난 잊을 수 없다오
I cannot forget five o'clock of that day
반듯하게 내린 기다란 속눈썹 아래
Beneath those neatly lowered long eyelashes
몹시도 사랑히 적어둔 글씨들에
Written with much love in those letters
이따금 불러주던 형편없는 휘파람에
In the occasional, helpless whistle I used to hum
그 모든 나의 자리에 나 머물러 있다오
I remain in every single one of my places
아끼던 연필로 그어놓은 밑줄 아래
Below the underlines drawn with cherished pencils
우리 둘 나란히 적어둔 이름들에
In the names we wrote side by side
무심한 걱정으로 묶어주던 신발끈에
On the shoelace tied with careless worries
좋아하던 봄 노래와 내리는 눈송이에도
Even in the beloved spring songs and falling snowflakes
어디보다 그대 안에 나 머물러 있다오
I reside deeply within you more than anywhere else
나 머물러 있다오
I stay
그대 울지 마시오
Please do not cry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ji Eun Lee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind