Here are my credentials (again, again): I would definitely consider myself a fan of IU. I’ve liked almost every song of hers I’ve heard, including a couple b-sides, and I think she’s very talented. I also really enjoyed her performance in the k-drama Hotel Del Luna. But besides that, I don’t know much about her, and I’m hoping to change that. So let’s get started!

(Part One) (Part Two)

Single #3: Eight

(TW: mental health, depression, suicide)

Eight, on the surface, seems like your run-of-the-mill pop song, and seems like something I’d pass by without a second glance. It’s under three minutes long, for one. There’s a famous rapper in it—Suga of BTS—for a verse. It sounds like a toothless song destined for the charts. But it’s actually dedicated to her friends Jonghyun, Sulli, and Hara, who all took their own lives in a less than two year span. By the time the chorus swells with a desperate wish to see them again in the next life, “forever young”, you’re left with the realization that the song is brutally bittersweet. And Suga’s verse, despite seeming a bit out of left field, is supposed to be abrupt and sudden, mimicking the feeling of someone passing away suddenly, as her friends did. It makes me teary every time.

Album #6: Lilac

Celebrity made a huge splash when it came out, and it’s easy to see why. Its gently encouraging tone feels like a hand reached out to the listener, in the best way. It reminds them that no one is perfect, even the people seen on the screen, and flips the script, with IU saying that the audience are her inspiration, her “celebrity”. It feels a bit similar to Blueming in its “slice-of-life” mood, though a bit more subdued. It’s not my favorite of her work, I admit, as I find it a bit overrated, but it’s still a good song.

Lilac was the first song I ever heard of IU’s, and though it was the beginning for me, it’s more like a culmination of all of her work thus far. It’s light footed and ethereal, taking from disco and synth, while still spotlighting her voice. It’s supposed to be representative of her journey as an idol, and feels joyous and nostalgic, if a bit bittersweet. Perhaps it was a beginning (albeit a second one) for IU too.

Coin piggybacks off of the bored, sardonic tone of Last Night Story, but marries it with a synthier beat, hints of funk, and brand new lyrics. Though this is somewhat of a new style for her, bolder and brassier than her usual pop and ballads, it’s still a great fit. IU’s charisma is in full swing here, as she stars as an over-confident gambler who just won’t give up her addiction, no matter how much it costs her.

From the album, I enjoyed the laid-back feel of Troll, and the slowly building guitar-piano combo of Ah Puh, though my hidden gem was My Sea, with its sweeping orchestra and intensely vulnerable lyrics about a lack of self-love. This is a great album, and if Modern Times didn’t exist, it’d easily be my favorite of IU’s.

Single #4: Strawberry Moon

While something like Eight is far deeper than it appears, Strawberry Moon really is a toothless pop song, which is no crime. Though it can’t hold a candle to her triumphs, it’s a perfectly good one too, bubbly and sweet and infused with just a pinch of magic that’s all IU. And the MV is delightful as always. It never fails to make me smile.

EP #7: Drama

Drama is in this odd liminal space between single and not-single; I couldn’t even find a music video for it. It’s very quiet, and though it’s nice, it’s not very notable. Drifting in one ear and out the other. The recorder from Peach makes its triumphant return here, although I confess it got on my nerves just a bit here. I don’t think I’ll be returning to it.

From the EP, Pieces, I enjoyed the quiet piano of Winter Sleep, but on the whole this release was a bit too ballad-heavy for me.

EP #8: The Winning

Love Wins All has a lot to live up to with such a great title. It starts out soft, a bit wistful, a bit sad, and then the chorus begins. IU’s voice, at possibly its most affecting, is backed by building strings, as if daring the listener to disagree with her declaration that love can conquer anything. Every new verse and chorus ups the ante, saturated in both joy and sorrow. It’s an exquisite ballad, powerful in the face of unimaginable odds, And the MV, which features Taehyung (V) of BTS, is stunning too; even though you know this love story won’t end well from the first note, that doesn’t matter. Because IU refuses to be afraid and refuses to be regretful: she has loved and she has lost, and she is proud. And she encourages us to do the same.

Shopper was the official single from this release, and is a welcome return to the poppier side of IU’s sound. It’s breezy and light, yet anchored by a pulsing synth, and features vocals soaring towards the heavens as per usual. And the MV’s a lot of fun, a mashup of the greedy point of view of Coin and the almost childish delight of Blueming. Watching IU carjack a guy by threatening him with a lollipop was something I never knew I needed, but here we are. 

The Winning is quite a short EP, but I enjoyed both the melding of IU’s voice and the featured artists’ in bassy Shh and the wispy, ethereal Holssi. Holssi means “Dandelion”, which happens to be my absolute favorite flower, so it’s no wonder I loved this one.

EP #9: A Flower Bookmark Part 3

Never Ending Story, as was true for the other two singles in her Flower Bookmark series, has a gentle ballad opening and remains string-led from there on. I’m usually not as big a fan of her ballads as her poppier songs, but I can still appreciate the level of talent that goes into them. And this one is one of her best builds. I love how it transforms into a brighter, warmer sound before the end, and the final minute especially is gorgeous. IU’s vocals are lovely as always; I often think that her voice is one of those that you can’t help but want to bask in. And the MV too is kdrama worthy, making use of the acting talents that shined in When Life Gives You Tangerines to tell another heartbreaking story.

From the EP, I enjoyed the swirling instrumentation of Red Sneakers, the gentle acoustic sound of A Beautiful Person, and the chiptune-esque brightness of Square’s Dream. I think this is my favorite of her three remake EPs because of the way it explores different sounds but doesn’t make any feel out of left field.

Verdict: TL;DR

I’m glad I did this. As mentioned, I’ve been a fan of IU for a while, but it was great to get to know her better—and to have an excuse to rewatch Hotel Del Luna. She has a fantastic voice, and I never get bored of hearing it. I also saw a few episodes of her k-pop interview Palette, specifically with SHINee, KARA, and V, and was impressed by the rapport she found. I didn’t get a chance to see IU on tour this time around, but if she comes to the US again, I’ll be there!

My Top 5 songs are Eight, Good Day, Lilac, Dear Name, and Love Wins All, with Love Poem and Everybody Has Secrets as honorable mentions. IU gets a 9 out of 10 from me. I’ve mentioned some of the albums being a bit too ballad heavy for me, but it’s difficult to complain when her voice is just so stunning. IU’s discography is expansive, and yet it all feels like her, true to her soul and close to her heart. And whether it’s a gut wrenching ballad or a sweet slice of bubblegum pop, you can’t do much better than her.

Next time, we’re onto a couple one-part groups. Tschüss!