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.
Voice Mail
IU Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
얼마 전부터 밤낮으로 날 괴롭히는 두근거림
덕분에 나 어제는 한숨도 못 잤어
미안 아마 너도 느꼈을 거야
어설프게 감추며 네 주윌 맴돌던 내 모습이 네게
많이 거슬렸다면 사과할게
할 수만 있다면 계속 부정하고 싶다
근데 솔직히 조금은
헷갈리게 만든 네 책임도 있는 거 아냐?
늦은 밤 (늦은 밤) 진동 소리에
은근한 목소리로 나를 깨웠잖아
아침은 (아침은) 꼭 먹고 다니라며
다정했던 걱정 정말 넌 아무 뜻도 없었냐
걱정 마 (걱정) 심각한 수준은 아냐
네게 심심풀이 땅콩이라도 좋다느니
뭐 그런 얘기 아냐
잠깐 이러다 알아서 정리할게
녹음 시간은 벌써
2분 30초가 막 넘어가고 있네
사실 더 할 말도 없어
어차피 아무 대책 없이 그냥 한 번 질러본 거니까
참 끝까지 초라하다
나 왜 이렇게 한심하니
이런 건 아닌데
답장을 못내 기다릴 텐데
역시 아니라면 난 아니라면 ah
(아니라면 아니 아니라면 아니라면 아니라면 아니라면)
네가 아니면 뭐 아닌 거지 뭐
(취소 되었읍니다 음성녹음은 2번 연락번호를 남기싶시오)
아닌 거지 뭐 후
The song Voice-mail by IU is a reflective and apologetic confession about the songwriter's confused feelings following a romantic encounter. The song's opening lyrics, "Maybe I was hoping it wouldn't happen. I've been struggling day and night with a pounding heart for a while now, and because of that, I couldn't even sleep last night," reveal her internal conflict about her desires and actions. She thanks the person for their concern and support in her weaker moments and acknowledges that her behavior may have been distressing for them. The songwriter admits that while she could deny her feelings, she cannot shrug off her responsibility in the situation, saying, "But honestly, you're partly responsible for making me confused."
As the song progresses, the writer brings up the late-night telephone conversation that left a mark on her, and she recalls how the person's voice gently woke her up, showing genuine concern, and urging her to eat breakfast properly. She asks if the person's previously expressed concern was genuine, or if it was just a show, and wonders if they ever meant anything to her. In the end, the writer seems to accept that there is nothing left to say, surrendering to the fact that things did not turn out as hoped, and that it is time to move on.
Overall, Voice-mail conveys a sense of helplessness and confusion in handling emotions, and how they manifest through actions, which may cause discomfort to others. The song's writer acknowledges her mistakes and hopes for understanding and forgiveness, while also searching for honest answers to the questions that plague her.
Line by Line Meaning
어쩌면 아니길 바랐나 봐
I think I hoped it wasn't true
얼마 전부터 밤낮으로 날 괴롭히는 두근거림
A pounding heart that's been troubling me day and night lately
덕분에 나 어제는 한숨도 못 잤어
Thanks to that, I couldn't even sleep a wink yesterday
미안 아마 너도 느꼈을 거야
I'm sorry, you probably felt it too
어설프게 감추며 네 주윌 맴돌던 내 모습이 네게
If my awkward, skulking behaviour around you has bothered you,
많이 거슬렸다면 사과할게
I apologize if it really hurt you
사실은 지금도
To tell you the truth,
할 수만 있다면 계속 부정하고 싶다
If I could, I'd like to keep denying it
근데 솔직히 조금은
But honestly, it's a little
헷갈리게 만든 네 책임도 있는 거 아냐?
Your responsibility too that made me unsure, right?
늦은 밤 (늦은 밤) 진동 소리에
Late at night (late at night), I was woken up by the vibration sound
은근한 목소리로 나를 깨웠잖아
It woke me up with a subtle voice
아침은 (아침은) 꼭 먹고 다니라며
In the morning (in the morning), you told me to always eat breakfast
다정했던 걱정 정말 넌 아무 뜻도 없었냐
Was your caring concern really with no intention?
걱정 마 (걱정) 심각한 수준은 아냐
Don't worry (worry), it's not that serious
네게 심심풀이 땅콩이라도 좋다느니
I'd love to be your peanut, something to relieve boredom
뭐 그런 얘기 아냐
But it's not like that kind of a story
잠깐 이러다 알아서 정리할게
I'll stop and organize my thoughts
녹음 시간은 벌써
The recording time has already passed
2분 30초가 막 넘어가고 있네
It's already past two minutes and thirty seconds
사실 더 할 말도 없어
Actually, I have nothing more to say
어차피 아무 대책 없이 그냥 한 번 질러본 거니까
Anyway, I just shouted out without any plan
참 끝까지 초라하다
Really pathetic until the end
나 왜 이렇게 한심하니
Why am I so pathetic?
이런 건 아닌데
It shouldn't be like this
답장을 못내 기다릴 텐데
I'll be waiting for your reply, but
역시 아니라면 난 아니라면 ah
If it's not really, then I'm not either, ah
(아니라면 아니 아니라면 아니라면 아니라면 아니라면)
(If it's not really not, then it's not not not not not)
네가 아니면 뭐 아닌 거지 뭐
If it's not you, then what is it?
(취소 되었읍니다 음성녹음은 2번 연락번호를 남기싶시오)
(Recording cancelled. Please leave a call back number)
아닌 거지 뭐 후
It's not like that, right?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Ji Eun Lee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-fs7bx2dn8t
나는 이런 기타반주와 아이유 노래의 분위기와 특유의 감성이 좋아
@yvesstarr3563
I am in love with this song, it brings such joy.
@nelcivasquezvargas5516
IU te amo
@toddynhatrevosa3177
Hi amei
@rubybelen
1:43 na-fall na rin pala si IU sa "Kumain ka na" sounds like "kumain ka na?" yung mga nagcha-chat na mga lalaking red flag 😆
@user-dn4zd1li1h
0:08, 0:30
@Cecilia-lc1pz
Hi
@lourdesdemariacaballeroesc1884
Hola
@secretdiary9849
what is this song about?
@jackiesbuff
I’m pretty sure she literally left a voice mail to a crush before but he saw her as a little sister