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.
Palette
IU Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
하긴 그래도 여전히 코린 음악은 좋더라
Hot Pink 보다 진한 보라색을 더 좋아해
또 뭐더라 단추 있는 Pajamas Lipstick
좀 짓궂은 장난들
I like it, I'm twenty five
Oh, I got this, I'm truly fine
이제 조금 알 것 같아 날
긴 머리보다 반듯이 자른 단발이 좋아
하긴 그래도 좋은 날 부를 땐
참 예뻤더라
오 왜 그럴까 조금 촌스러운 걸 좋아해
그림보다 빼곡히 채운 Palette
일기 잠들었던 시간들
I like it, I'm twenty five
날 미워하는 거 알아
Oh, I got this, I'm truly fine
이제 조금 알 것 같아 날
에이, 어려서 모든 게 어려워
잔소리에 매 서러워
꾸중만 듣던 철부지 애
겨우 스무고개 넘어
기쁨도 잠시 어머
아프니까 웬 청춘이래
지은아 오빠는 말이야
지금 막 서른인데
나는 절대로 아니야 근데 막 어른이 돼
아직도 한참 멀었는데
너보다 다섯 살 밖에 안 먹었는데
스물 위 서른 아래
고맘때 Right there
애도 어른도 아닌 나이 때 그저 나일 때
가장 찬란하게 빛이 나
어둠이 드리워질 때도 겁내지 마
너무 아름다워서 꽃잎 활짝 펴서
언제나 사랑 받는 아이, you
Palette 일기 잠들었던 시간들
I like it, I'm twenty five
날 좋아하는 거 알아
Oh, I got this (I got this), I'm truly fine
이제 조금 알 것 같아 날
아직 할 말이 많아
I like it (I like it), I'm twenty five
날 미워하는 거 알아
Oh, I got this, I've truly found
이제 조금 알 것 같아 날
The song "Palette" by IU is an introspective exploration of the singer's personal growth as she reaches the age of twenty-five. In the opening lines, she expresses a newfound appreciation for simplicity in her life, but still cherishes the music that has been a constant throughout her journey. She then describes her preference for a deeper shade of purple over a hot pink color, and mentions some playful items such as pajamas with buttons and mischievous pranks.
As the chorus kicks in, IU affirms her self-love and acknowledges that some people may not like her, but she's truly fine. In the following verse, she describes her love for her hair cut evenly in a bob, but also acknowledges that she looked beautiful with her long hair when she sang her heart out. She then comments on her affection for slightly tacky things, but also her tendency to fill her imagination with a broad spectrum of colors and vivid details.
The bridge of the song provides a window into IU's childhood, revealing that she struggled with stern lectures and chastisement. Despite this, she persevered and managed to mature with a positive outlook on life. In the final chorus, IU declares that she's still young but not too old to be giving up on her dreams. She confidently states her assertion of self-love and awareness of her unique beauty, reminding herself that she will always be loved and cherished.
Line by Line Meaning
이상하게도 요즘엔 그냥 쉬운 게 좋아
Lately I like things that are just easy, strangely enough.
하긴 그래도 여전히 코린 음악은 좋더라
But still, I do like old K-pop music.
Hot Pink 보다 진한 보라색을 더 좋아해
I prefer a deeper shade of purple over Hot Pink.
또 뭐더라 단추 있는 Pajamas Lipstick
And what was it again? Pajamas with buttons and lipstick?
좀 짓궂은 장난들
Mischievous pranks.
I like it, I'm twenty five
I like myself now that I'm twenty-five.
날 좋아하는 거 알아
I know you like me.
Oh, I got this, I'm truly fine
Oh, I got this, I'm really okay now.
이제 조금 알 것 같아 날
I feel like I'm starting to know myself better now.
긴 머리보다 반듯이 자른 단발이 좋아
I prefer short hair with a clean cut over long hair.
하긴 그래도 좋은 날 부를 땐
But still, when I sing on good days,
참 예뻤더라
It was really beautiful.
오 왜 그럴까 조금 촌스러운 걸 좋아해
Why do I like things that are a little old-fashioned?
그림보다 빼곡히 채운 Palette
A Palette filled more densely than a painting.
일기 잠들었던 시간들
The times when my diary fell asleep.
날 미워하는 거 알아
I know you hate me.
에이, 어려서 모든 게 어려워
Hey, everything was hard when I was young.
잔소리에 매 서러워
I was hurt by nagging.
꾸중만 듣던 철부지 애
I was just a brat who only listened to scolding.
겨우 스무고개 넘어
I barely made it past twenty.
기쁨도 잠시 어머
Even happiness is temporary.
아프니까 웬 청춘이래
Because I was hurt, I act like a child.
지은아 오빠는 말이야
Jieun, listen to me.
지금 막 서른인데
I just turned thirty.
나는 절대로 아니야 근데 막 어른이 돼
I'm definitely not yet an adult, but I'm becoming one.
아직도 한참 멀었는데
I'm still far away from it.
너보다 다섯 살 밖에 안 먹었는데
I'm only five years older than you.
스물 위 서른 아래
Between twenty and thirty.
고맘때 Right there
At the peak of my youth, right there.
애도 어른도 아닌 나이 때 그저 나일 때
At an age when I'm neither a child nor an adult, just myself.
가장 찬란하게 빛이 나
I shine the most brilliantly.
어둠이 드리워질 때도 겁내지 마
Don't be afraid even when darkness falls.
너무 아름다워서 꽃잎 활짝 펴서
I'm so beautiful, so I spread my flower petals wide.
언제나 사랑 받는 아이, you
Always a loved child, it's you.
Palette 일기 잠들었던 시간들
Palette, the times when my diary fell asleep.
아직 할 말이 많아
I still have a lot to say.
I like it, I'm twenty five
I like myself now that I'm twenty-five.
날 미워하는 거 알아
I know you hate me.
Oh, I got this, I've truly found
Oh, I got this, I've truly found myself.
이제 조금 알 것 같아 날
I feel like I'm starting to know myself better now.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Ji Eun Lee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leticiaflores850
Eu tô completando 24 hoje (30 de novembro, mesmo o meu relógio dizendo que já são 00h00)😄
Ouvia as músicas da IU na adolescência, principalmente a 23 anos e ficava me perguntando como eu estaria aos 23.
Refleti tanto esse ano sobre essa mudança na minha vida. Aos 16 anos os 23 pareciam distantes, e hoje acabaram de se tornar lembranças kkk
Passei o dia ouvindo IU, inclusive a música 23 e confesso que chorei... chorei muito (ainda choro 😢😅). Sinto como se um ciclo tivesse se encerrado, algo tivesse sido tirado de mim... Mas é aquilo que dizem, quando um ciclo se encerra outro se inicia, e realmente um novinho em folha acabou de se iniciar. Essa música foi uma grande descoberta pra mim hoje, e agora vou esperar até meus 25 pra voltar aqui e ouví-la novamente com tanta emoção e nostalgia 😢❤
Eu não sei o seu nome e nem quem vc seja, mas saiba que o seu comentário me fez muito feliz hoje... eu estava precisando 😢❤ Encontrar alguém que compartilhe desses sentimentos que nos atormentam na fase dos 20' e poucos e que ainda ouve IU, quais eram as chances?? 😂😂
Parabéns pelo seu grande dia e que venham muitos outros ❤🎉
Um brinde a nós. Um brinde aos nossos futuros grandes dias... 🍾🥂😍😃😁
@pris_an
IU is one of the most iconic solo artists in Korea that worked her butt off to get this far. Not only is she a talented actor (scarlet heart hehe), but shes a beautiful all-NATURAL queen. She deserves it ❤️ she’s the first actress I’ve ever watched in dramas which was lee soon shin one. Ugh love her.
@xin1u943
Wait did she quit being a solo artist to become a actor? If she did I would gladly like to watch a movie/show she is in. :'-)
@iristhai5969
No, she didn't quit singing. She was in a movie called Moon Lover. You should watch it.
@josephlim4233
IU have always been an Actress and a Singer. You can see what drama / film she have been in before here: https://mydramalist.com/people/426-iu
You look like you are new to IU so I'll put this here for you.
Welcome to IU's video index ~ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kdvYyCSMmnklVCjqie7JYAb-_5eDS-K6swEnUOWgKIg/edit?usp=sharing
@smlopezc
You should watch "My mister" another beautiful k-drama of her. It's amazing!
@xin1u943
@Joseph Lim Actually, IU was the one who got me into kpop. I haven't really listened to her songs alot as usual, so I'll check it out.
@goreal
2024년 스물다섯을 맞이하며 올해의 첫 노래를 들으러 왔어요. 모든 00년생 친구들이 건강하고 행복하기를 진심으로 응원합니다. 청룡의 해, 우리들의 해인 만큼 그 어느 때보다도 훨훨 날아오르기를💙
@cherrry_
저도 00년생인데 갑자기 스물다섯이 생각나서 새벽에 들으러 왔습니다. 그리고 댓글 보고 뭉클해졌어요... 저희 화이팅해요😤❤️🔥
@chj1894
ㆍ
@Gumdang_
2028년에도 들으러 왔죠!!💜