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.
The red shoes
IU Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
열두 개로 갈린 조각난 골목길
어딜 가면 너를 다시 만날까
운명으로 친다면
내 운명을 고르자면
눈을 감고 걸어도
맞는 길을 고르지
너의 두 눈이 나를 비추던
Summer time
기다리기만 하는 내가 아냐
너를 찾아 뚜벅
내게 돌아올 summer time
찬 바람 불면 그냥 두 눈 감기로 해
What's the time summer time
움파룸파둠 두비두바둠 슬프지 않아 춤을 춘다
다시 다시
길을 찾아 떠난
갈색머리 아가씨는
다시 사랑에 빠졌고 행복했더라는
처음부터 다시 쓰는 이야기
좋은 구둘 신으면
더 좋은 데로 간다며
멈춰지지 않도록 (na na na) 너를 찾을 때까지
사라져버린 summer time
너의 두 눈이 나를 비추던
Summer time
기다리기만 하는 내가 아냐
너를 찾아 뚜벅
내게 돌아올 summer time
찬 바람 불면 그냥 두 눈 감기로 해
What's the time summer time
움파룸파둠 두비두바둠 멈추지 않아 춤을 춘다
다시 다시
나의 발이 자꾸 발이 자꾸 맘대로 yoo hoo
Oh my pink shoes oh my
난난 마음 잡고 마음 잡고 제대로 yoo hoo
Yah yah 좀 더 빠르게
(있을 수 가)
잃어버린 내 summer time
낯선 시간을 헤매이다 널 찾을까
아직 길은 멀었니 겁이 나면 나는 괜히 웃어
혹시 넌 나를 잊을까
너의 시간이 내게 멈춰있길 바래
Slow the time, stop the time
움파룸파룸 두비두비
움파룸파룸 두비두바둠 좀 더 빠르게 달려간다
다시 다시 다시 다시
IU's song "The Red Shoes" is a poetic representation of the complexity of emotions and thoughts that one goes through when faced with a difficult decision or a crossroads in life. The lyrics describe the feeling of being lost in a split path and wondering which path will lead to love, fate or destiny. It reflects the idea that life is a journey and sometimes we must be brave and make bold choices, even if they are difficult ones. The imagery used in the song portrays a longing for a past love and the hope of a future one. The chorus repeats the phrase "summer time" which may represent a time of love and nostalgia, while the line "what's the time summer time" could symbolize the idea that time is fleeting, and we must seize the present moment to find happiness and love.
The song itself is a reimagining of the fairytale "The Red Shoes" by Hans Christian Andersen. The story tells of a girl who puts on a pair of magical shoes that she cannot take off, causing her to dance uncontrollably and ultimately leading to her death. IU's interpretation of the story takes a more optimistic approach, expressing the hope that the "red shoes" will lead her to a brighter future. The choreography for the song also draws inspiration from the tale, with IU dancing in red heels that symbolize the magic and burden of love.
Line by Line Meaning
길을 잃었다 어딜 가야 할까
I am lost and don't know where to go
열두 개로 갈린 조각난 골목길
In front of me are twelve broken paths
어딜 가면 너를 다시 만날까
I wonder where I can go to meet you again
운명으로 친다면
If our fate is meant to be
내 운명을 고르자면
If I have to choose my fate
눈을 감고 걸어도
Even if I close my eyes and walk
맞는 길을 고르지
I'll choose the right path
사라져버린 summer time
Summer time that disappeared
너의 두 눈이 나를 비추던
Your eyes shining on me
기다리기만 하는 내가 아냐
I am no longer waiting
너를 찾아 뚜벅
I search for you step by step
내게 돌아올 summer time
Summer time that will come back to me
찬 바람 불면 그냥 두 눈 감기로 해
When the cold wind blows, just close my eyes
What's the time summer time
What time is it, summer time?
움파룸파둠 두비두바둠 슬프지 않아 춤을 춘다
I dance without sadness, humming a tune
나의 발이 자꾸 발이 자꾸 맘대로 yoo hoo
My feet, they move on their own, yoo hoo
Oh my pink shoes oh my
Oh my pink shoes, oh my
난난 마음 잡고 마음 잡고 제대로 yoo hoo
I grab hold of my heart, properly, yoo hoo
Yah yah 좀 더 빠르게
Yah yah, a bit faster
잃어버린 내 summer time
My lost summer time
낯선 시간을 헤매이다 널 찾을까
I wander in unfamiliar times, looking for you
아직 길은 멀었니 겁이 나면 나는 괜히 웃어
If the path is still long and I'm scared, I just laugh for no reason
혹시 넌 나를 잊을까
Maybe you will forget me
너의 시간이 내게 멈춰있길 바래
I hope your time stops for me
Slow the time, stop the time
Slow the time, stop the time
움파룸파룸 두비두비
Wumpa-rumpa boom-boom
움파룸파룸 두비두바둠 좀 더 빠르게 달려간다
Wumpa-rumpa boom-boom, running a bit faster
다시 다시 다시 다시
Again, again, again, again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Min Su Lee, Eana Kim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@livia3315
길을 잃었다, 어딜 가야 할까
열두 개로 갈린 조각난 골목길
어딜 가면 너를 다시 만날까
운명으로 친다면, 내 운명을 고르자면
눈을 감고 걸어도 맞는 길을 고르지
사라져버린 Summer Time
너의 두 눈이 나를 비추던 Summer Time
기다리기만 하는 내가 아냐 너를 찾아 뚜벅
내게 돌아올 Summer Time
찬 바람 불면 그냥 두 눈 감기로 해
what's the time? Summer Time
움파룸파둠 두비두바둠 슬프지 않아 춤을 춘다
다시, 다시
길을 찾아 떠난 갈색머리 아가씨는
다시 사랑에 빠졌고 행복했더라는
처음부터 다시 쓰는 이야기
좋은 구둘 신으면 더 좋은 데로 간다며
멈춰지지 않도록, 너를 찾을 때까지
사라져버린 Summer Time
너의 두 눈이 나를 비추던 Summer Time
기다리기만 하는 내가 아냐 너를 찾아 뚜벅
내게 돌아올 Summer Time
찬 바람 불면 그냥 두 눈 감기로 해
what's the time? Summer Time
움파룸파둠 두비두바둠 멈추지 않아 춤을 춘다
다시, 다시
나의 발이 자꾸 발이 자꾸 맘대로 yoohoo
oh my, pink shoes, oh my
난난 마음 잡고 마음 잡고 제대로 yoohoo
Yah yah 좀 더 빠르게
잃어버린 내 Summer Time
낯선 시간을 헤매이다 널 찾을까
아직 길은 멀었니, 겁이 나면 나는 괜히 웃어
혹시 넌 나를 잊을까
너의 시간이 내게 멈춰있길 바래
slow the time, stop the time
움파룸파룸 두비두비
움파룸파룸 두비두바둠 좀 더 빠르게 달려간다
다시, 다시, 다시, 다시
@s_almont_una
0:50
길을 잃었다
어딜 가야 할까
열두 개로 갈린 조각난 골목길
어딜 가면 너를 다시 만날까
운명으로 친다면
내 운명을 고르자면
눈을 감고 걸어도
맞는 길을 고르지
사라져버린 Summer Time
너의 두 눈이 나를 비추던 Summer Time
기다리기만 하는 내가 아냐 너를 찾아 뚜벅
내게 돌아올 Summer Time
찬 바람 불면 그냥 두 눈 감기로 해
What's the time? Summer Time
움파룸파둠 두비두바둠
슬프지 않아 춤을 춘다
다시, 다시
길을 찾아 떠난
갈색머리 아가씨는
다시 사랑에 빠졌고 행복했더라는
처음부터 다시 쓰는 이야기
좋은 구둘 신으면
더 좋은 데로 간다며
멈춰지지 않도록
너를 찾을 때까지
사라져버린 Summer Time
너의 두 눈이 나를 비추던 Summer Time
기다리기만 하는 내가 아냐 너를 찾아 뚜벅
내게 돌아올 Summer Time
찬 바람 불면 그냥 두 눈 감기로 해
What's the time? Summer Time
움파룸파둠 두비두바둠
멈추지 않아 춤을 춘다
다시, 다시
나의 발이 자꾸 발이 자꾸 맘대로 yoohoo
oh my, pink shoes, oh my
난난 마음 잡고 마음 잡고 제대로 yoohoo
Yah yah 좀 더 빠르게
잃어버린 내 Summer Time
낯선 시간을 헤매이다 널 찾을까
아직 길은 멀었니, 겁이 나면 나는 괜히 웃어
혹시 넌 나를 잊을까
너의 시간이 내게 멈춰있길 바래
slow the time, stop the time
움파룸파룸 두비두비
움파룸파룸 두비두바둠
좀 더 빠르게 달려간다
다시, 다시, 다시, 다시
@Mmnnzz
와 어릴때 저 이상한 줄무늬 아저씨들은 뭐야했는데 페퍼톤스였어ㅠ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ장기용까지 ㄹㅇ 지금보니까 개쩜
@infp530
???: 잘 드러 소난쓰고 간지럼 태울께! 에엫!
@user-wr3by9dj8k
이유진 이장원ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
@user-mz3yg4xg5p
이유진 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ큐ㅠㅠㅠㅠ 머리속에서 지워지지가 않아....
@user-uk4tf7eu2z
순간 장기하 생각했네
@greenangel4665
음.
@user-id8hz6uy7s
와 미친 내가 이 뮤비를 한 두번 본 것도 아닌데 장기용이 나온다는 심지어 계속 나온다는 걸 방금 앎... 저리 존잘인데 왜 전혀 몰랐지 아 존잘
@qnrpwjd5225
왜 판타지 시리즈 마무리 지었을까...ㅜㅜ 아이유랑 이만큼 잘 어울리는 컨셉이 없는데...옛날 잔혹동화 느낌...아름다운데 슬픈...
지금 대중적인 컨셉도 좋긴 하지만 가끔은 이런 스토리라인 확실한 뮤비가 보고싶다
@user-fq2ln7sq2v
솔직히 이때가 그리움 너랑나, 분홍신 등등...
@nayoi278
아쉬워도 이게 답이였음 마냥 이런 장르만 하기엔 나이도 먹어가고 그리고 이런류의 노래 찍기가 매우 힘듬 좋은날 너랑마 분홍신 작곡가들이 엄청 유명한 거장들이고 23살에 마녀사냥 당하면서도 본인이 프로듀싱 참가하고 그후 리메이크곡과 서정적인 노래로 남녀노소가 인정하고 좋아하는 가수로 인식됨에 따라 나의 아저씨 호텔 델루나로 배우로서 인정받고 좋은날 너랑나 분홍신이 아직도 아이유에게 가장 성공한 곡들이지만 여기서 끝냈기에 이 세곡이 더 추억있고 가치 있다고 생각