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.
Mía
IU Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hanadul moadum gieoeul jiwo
Giman ireona gaya haneun geol
Neomu jaralgo innuende
Wae nan jujeoango maneunji
Ssodajineun bimureun nal hanchi apdomod bogehae
Mora chinuen barameun
Byeorang ggeute, seoinneun deushi
Nan museowo ddeolgo itjiman
Jageun dusoneul moeun naegidonuen hana bboniya
Dorawa~
Ijenuen nunmulgo naojianha
Umeogil himmajo
Eobnuen geoddata
Uri ibyeori ggumi aneungeol
Namu jarago innuende wae nan ggae eonagir binuenji
Ssodajineun bimureun
Nal hanchi apdomod bogehae
Mora chineun barameun
Dan han georeumdo modgagehae
Pyeorang ggeute seoineun deushi
Nan musawo ddeolgo itjiman
Jageun dusoneul moeun naegidoneun hana bboniya
Apeun naega semdo gipeun sangchideuldo
Nappeun nalmiwohaneunde
Sajineul taego gieogeur jiwodo
Nal ijuersu eombnawa
Ssodajineun bimureun nal hanchi apdomod bogehae
Mora chinuen barameun
Danhan geoleumdo modgagehae
Byeorang ggeute, seoinneun deushi
Nan museowo ddeolgo itjiman
Jageun dusoneul moeun naegidonuen hana bboniya
Dorawa~
Dorawa
Dorawa
The lyrics of "Mia" by IU are quite emotional and deal with themes of loss, regret and a struggle to move on. The song begins with the image of a photograph that captures a moment in time shared by people who have now gone their separate ways. The singer laments the fact that memories seem to fade away so easily and wonders why they are unable to hold onto them. The chorus is an expression of this sense of loss, with the repetition of the phrase "ssodajineun bimureun" (dripping sound of rain) conveying a feeling of sadness and tears.
The second verse adds to this sense of loss, with the singer acknowledging that some things are simply beyond our control. Dreams are mentioned, along with the idea that they can sometimes be unattainable. There is also a reference to a "ggae" (dog), which suggests the idea of a faithful companion who has now passed away. The final section of the song repeats the chorus once again, adding a note of hope with the repeated refrain "dorawa" (come back).
Overall, "Mia" is a song that deals with the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and the difficulties of letting go of the past. The lyrics are poetic and evocative, capturing a sense of loss and yearning that many listeners will be able to relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Uridul damajun sajinuel taewo
We burned the photos that captured us together
Hanadul moadum gieoeul jiwo
Erasing and letting go of all the memories we shared
Giman ireona gaya haneun geol
Why am I hesitating to leave?
Neomu jaralgo innuende
I'm afraid to walk away
Wae nan jujeoango maneunji
Why do I keep hesitating and questioning myself?
Ssodajineun bimureun nal hanchi apdomod bogehae
The pouring rain hits me hard and makes me ache
Mora chinuen barameun
The passing wind is already cold
Danhan geoleumdo modgagehae
Even the lone road ahead seems distant
Byeorang ggeute, seoinneun deushi
The traces at the end have become faint
Nan museowo ddeolgo itjiman
I'm still scared and shaking
Jageun dusoneul moeun naegidonuen hana bboniya
But if you light a small candle, you can see me clearly
Dorawa~
Come back to me~
Ijenuen nunmulgo naojianha
Now tears flow down my cheeks again
Umeogil himmajo
I try to hide them and hold on
Eobnuen geoddata
The empty space is so vast
Uri ibyeori ggumi aneungeol
Our separation is just a dream
Namu jarago innuende wae nan ggae eonagir binuenji
I'm afraid to leave like a tree rooted in one spot, why am I holding onto it?
Apeun naega semdo gipeun sangchideuldo
Even the painful and narrow memories
Nappeun nalmiwohaneunde
I want to remember them despite the sadness
Sajineul taego gieogeur jiwodo
Even if I burn the pictures and erase the memories
Nal ijuersu eombnawa
I can't forget me
Dorawa~
Come back to me~
Dorawa
Come back
Contributed by Amelia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-py9zj9dz3d
중3때 부모님이 강제로 전학을보내고 혼자서 살면서 우울증이온건지 전학간 학교에서 친구도 만들지 못하고 전학간지 한달만에 자살시도하다가 겁이나서 죽지도 못하고 하루하루 멍하니 살았던때
밤에는 무서워서 항상 mnet틀어놓고 노래들으면서 잠들었었는데 어느날 아침등교하기전에 이노래가 나오더라고요...
물론 전혀 다른내용이지만 그당시 저는 뭔가 제상황을 노래로 만든 듣한 가삿말에 너무 울컥해서 학교도 지각하고 혼자 펑펑울었어요...
그때 어린생각에 '이노랠 부른 애도 내또래같아보이는데 나와 비슷한상황을 잘 이겨내고 살고있네'
이런 생각이 들고 좀 쪽팔리더라고요.
전학가는사람이 한두명인것도 아니고 중3이지만 혼자지내는 애들도 많은데 나는 왜 무기력해져있나 생각이 들어서 다시 전 처럼 밝게 지내려고 하다보니 평범하게 살수있게 되더라고요.
그때 이노래를 안듣고 계속 그렇게 멍하니 있었으면 지금까지 제대로된 삶을 살수있었을까 생각도들고요...
뭐라고 쓰면서 끝내야될지 모르겠는데 어쨋든 지금저는 아이유님과 이노래에 감사하면서 살고있습니다.
@sisomy8189
아이유가 처음 장면에서 길을 잃는데 그게 꿈인지는 잘 모르는 스토리로 시작 하는데
그와중에 다 벗어던진 남정네들이 나타납니다 그리고 주위를 포위하더니 몸을 만지기 시작하죠
남자들의 탐욕을 춤으로 그려냈는데 뭐 자세한 설명은 생략하고요
그와중에 남자들 한테서 도주하는데
그 와중에 한 남자에게서 팔목을 잡히며 넘어짐 그것은 길잃은 여성 혹은 어린 여자아이가 미아가 되어 잡히는데 그 여성을 인신매매 그니까 노예로 팔았다고 보시면 되요 중간 내용에서 밧줄이 보일건데 뭐 아시리라 믿고 넘기고요 저 뮤비의 차림세를 보면 저희 세대로는 보이지 않고 좀 옛날로 보이잖아요 옛날에는 저런게 있었거든요
그 상황에서 발가 벗은 남자들중 좀 장으로 보이는 사내가 아이유한테 깝죽대는데요 저건 상품인 아이유를 감시하는것으로 몸상태를 확인하는거에요 그 다음으로 눈에 초점이 없는 여성이 아이유를 감싸고 아이유는 눈을 감은 채 아무런 행동도 취하지 않아요 마치 초점없어 보이지 않는 여성처럼 아마 저 여성 역시 자신과 마찬가지인 팔릴 상품일거고 그 상황에서 도주하다 눈을 잃었거나 했을거라 보는데 똑같이 눈을 감고 시야를 닫는것으로 아이유의 상품가치가 떨어짐을 나타냄이라 보는데요 그 다음으로는 남자가 나타나 반지를 건네주며 아이유는 해방되는데요 즉 그 망상 꿈속에서 깨어나는것을 의미하고 무언가에서 벗어난것을 의미하는겁니다
첫번째 남자의 탐욕을 나타내는것은
남자의 욕심으로 사랑하지 않는 여자를 취하는 즉 꼬셨다고 보면됩니다 이쁘니까 한번 건드려볼까 같이 첫장면이 나타내는것은 탐욕 그리고 시작
두번째로 포박은 잡았다 즉 마음을 얻었다 라는거죠 연애 시작입니다
세번째로는 남자가 몸을 탐색하는것은 예쁘장한 여자아이를 꼬신 남자가 원하는그것 을 표현한거에요 뭐 그것이 뭔지는 알거고
네번째로는 아이유의 눈이 감기며 상품 가치가 떨어졌다고 말했는데 그것을 남성이 아이유한테 질렸다고 생각합니다 이제 별 감흥 없다 이런거죠
다섯번째로 반지를 건네주며 현실로 돌아오는데 이것을 남자가 이별통보한것으로 봅니다
여자는 이제 시작 남자는 질림 그리고 떠남 요즘 흔히 말하는 먹고 버림
대충 전체적인 스토리는 더럽고 추악한내용이고 그것에 상처받은 여자아이 한명일 뿐인데 잔혹성을 지우고 뭐 좀 다르게 표현한거같아요 빙 돌려서
@artelis5647
미아 (Lost Child) IU
Photographs containing the two of us, I burn
The memories we gathered one by one, I erase
That I need to get up and move on, I know all too well
So why am I still sitting here?
The pouring rain stops me from seeing anything before me
The raging wind stops me from taking even a single step
As if I were standing on the edge of a cliff, I tremble in fear
Gathering my two small hands, my only prayer is this…
Come back to me
Now tears don’t even form
I feel as if I don’t have the strength to cry
That our parting is not a dream, I know all too well
So why am I pleading that I wake up?
The pouring rain stops me from seeing anything before me
The raging wind stops me from taking even a single step
As if I were standing on the edge of a cliff, I tremble in fear
Gathering my two small hands, my only prayer is this…
Come back to me
Though my broken heart, my deep wounds may hate me
I burn the photographs, I erase the memories, and yet I can’t seem to forget you
I love you
The pouring rain stops me from seeing anything before me
The raging wind stops me from taking even a single step
As if I were standing on the edge of a cliff, I tremble in fear
Gathering my two small hands, my only prayer is this…
Come back to me
Come back to me
@thunderbolt2576
IU at 15: releasing her own album
Me at 15: liking my own comment
@MDMahadi-sd4vj
🤣🤣same
@chocolix2222
Me too
@NurulIzzati06
Me2
@illturn16jashsgsyhsgs34
Lol
@00nisipoi
ahaha *crying😭
@vaishnavijha6896
Can you believe this girl was 15 then, with such vocals????
@juliaprada7600
OMG! It’s like my favorite song from her ❤️
@sofiaraineencinas7520
16** shes korean
@spongebob_batman
And jungkook also was 15 when he sang that song for audition