IU (singer)

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IU (아이유)
Background information
Birth name Lee Ji-eun (이지은)
Born May 16, 1993 (1993-05-16) (age 18)
Seoul, South Korea
Genres K-pop
Occupations Singer
Years active 2008–present
Labels LOEN Entertainment (Korea)
EMI Music Japan (Japan)
Website Official Korean Website
Official Japan Website
Official Facebook
EMI Artiste Page
IU (아이유)
Hangul 이지은
Hanja 李知恩
Revised Romanization Lee Ji-eun
McCune–Reischauer Yi Chi-ŭn

IU, who was born as Lee Ji-eun (Korean: 이지은, May 16, 1993) is a South Korean singer and actress.[1] Her stage name IU, is derived from "I and You" which symbolizes that we can become one through music.

Contents

[edit] Career

[edit] Music career

IU debuted on a Korean music program called M! Countdown in September 18, 2008. On September 24, 2008, she released her first mini-album, Lost and Found, in which the most famous song was the title track, "Missing Child."[2] However, the album was not commercially successful. It wasn't until her follow-up album that she succeeded in breaking into the mainstream. 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.[citation needed]

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."[3] 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.

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").[citation needed]

IU worked with some of South Korea's most famous musicians and producers for her third mini-album, REAL, released in December 2010.[4] Lee Min Soo and Kim Lee Na, the creators of IU's previous hit "Nagging", helped produce her award-winning song "좋은 날" ("Good Day")."[5] 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.[citation needed]

IU often covers other pop artists' songs with her guitar and features her friend Thunder from MBLAQ, most notably renditions of SHINee "Juliette," Big Bang "Lies," Super Junior "Sorry, Sorry" and Girls' Generation "Gee."[6]

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 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.[7]

IU also also sang a self-composed OST called "Hold my Hand" for drama series The Greatest Love.[citation needed]

IU's album Last Fantasy was released on November 29, 2011.[8] The track list was revealed on November 22, 2011.

IU achieved an ‘all-kill’ with her new album Last Fantasy as all 13 songs immediately swept most of all the charts.[9]

IU held a live showcase at Tokyo's Bunkamura Orchard Hall on January 24, 2012[10] and will be releasing her debut Japanese single release "Good Day" on March 21, 2012, which will include DVD footage from the showcase.[11]

[edit] Endorsements

IU has secured a number of endorsement deals,[12] including the 2011 UNIONBAY clothing line (with Seo In-Kook),[13] MyChew candy, and the action-riding game The Story of My Horse and I, Alicia. In 2011, IU became the next pop star spokesmodel for Mexicana Chicken.[14] Samsung selected IU to represent their Anycall brand, previously endorsed by such stars as Lee Hyori, BoA, and Junki, stating "we believe that [IU] has the potential to create a big bang within the industry.".[15] In the same year, IU endorsed for SK Telecom, Namyang Dairy, S-Oil, Home Plus, Y'SB, Le Coq Sportif, Elite school uniforms, and was chosen to be the ambassador for Yeosu Expo Korea 2012. In 2012, IU secured the endorsement deals for G by Guess [16] and cosmetics brand, The Saem [17] as well.

[edit] Other activities

In August 2009, IU became a host for the new program Gom Music Chart on GomTV, a weekly show where South Korean netizens vote for their favorite songs on the charts.[citation needed] For a time, IU became a fixed guest on Super Junior's Kiss the Radio, Maybee's Raise the Volume, and MBC's Starry Night (hosted by Park Kyung-lim and Shin Young) and Chin Chin Radio (hosted by Taeyeon). Upon Taeyeon's departure, she was chosen as a temporary DJ for two weeks together with B2ST member Doojoon.[citation needed] IU is currently the VJ for MBC Game's Star for You as well as for GomTV's Starcraft 2 Global StarLeague, on which she introduces competing players.[18] IU is also one of twelve original female cast members chosen for the SBS variety show Heroes.[19]

IU took up a role as Kim Pil Suk in the KBS 2TV teen drama series Dream High.[20]

On February 6, 2011, it was announced that IU would be a guest performer for British contemporary jazz & soul singer, Corinne Bailey Rae, during her 1st Korean concert.[21] She was also featured in K-Will's music video for his song "My Heart is Beating" along with MBLAQ's Lee Joon and Boyfriend's No Minwoo.

Between May and July in 2011, IU attended the filming for SBS's Kiss & Cry, where singers show off their figure skating skills. However, she was eliminated in Episode 8.[citation needed]

IU performed after the awards ceremony of the 2011 GSL Blizzard Cup finals,[22] where she performed the songs "Good Day" and "You and I".[23] This is not the first time she would be involved in the GSL, as she also did the voice over for the player introductions and openers in previous seasons as well.[24]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

Title Album details Tracklisting Sales
Growing Up
Last Fantasy
  • Language：Korean
  • Released: November 29, 2011
  • Label: LOEN Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
 KOR: 102,000+[25]
(Still Charting)

[edit] Extended Plays

Title Album details Tracklisting Sales
Lost and Found
IU...IM
  • Language：Korean
  • Released: November 12, 2009
  • Label: LOEN Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
Real
  • Language：Korean
  • Released: December 9, 2010
  • Label: LOEN Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
 KOR: 86,078[26]
(Still Charting)
I □ U
  • Language：Korean
  • Released: December 14, 2011
  • Label: EMI Music Japan
  • Format: CD, digital download
 JPN: 7,285+[27]

[edit] Singles

[edit] Korean

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
South Korea
Gaon
 Billboard
2008 "Lost Child" 41[28] — Lost and Found
2009 "Boo" 9[29] — Growing Up
"You Know (Rock Ver.)" 18[30] —
"Marshmallow" 3[31] — IU...IM
2010 "Nagging"
(with Im Seulong) / (A-side)
"Rain Drop" (B-side)		 1 — I □ U
"Good Day" 1 — REAL
2011 "Real+" (physical single)
"Only I didn't know" / (A-side)
"Cruel Fairy Tale" (B-side)		 1 — I □ U
"You and I" 1 1 Last Fantasy
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

[edit] Japanese

Year Title Peak chart positions Sales Album
Japan
Oricon Billboard RIAJ Debut Overall
Weekly Monthly
2012 "Good Day" — — — — TBA
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

[edit] As featured artist

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
South Korea
Gaon
 Billboard
2010 "It's You"
(Sung Si Kyung featuring IU)		 — — The First

[edit] Collaboration singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
South Korea
Gaon
 Billboard
2010 "It's First Love"
(with Na Yoon Kwon)		 — — Non-album release
"I Believe In Love"
(with Yoo Seung-ho)		 — — Road For Hope
2011 "Ice Flower"
(with Kim Yuna)		 — — Non-album release

[edit] Promotional singles

Year Title Note
2010 "I Hoppin U" To promo for advertising of Samsung Galaxy S Hoppin
2011 "Memories Of The Sea" To promo for EXPO 2012: Yeosu Korea
2012 "Last Fantasy" To promo for the studio album, Last Fantasy

[edit] Soundtracks

Year Title Album
2009 "Meanwhile thou" 2009 Strike
"Araro" Queen Seondeok
"Baramkkot (ES)"
"Danny Boy" Telecinema 7
2010 "Pinkie Swear" (Telecinema Project Vol. 6) Very Best Telecinema 7
"Because I'm a woman" (Road No. 1 OST Part.3) Road No. 1
"My Dream Party Ciel" Yumeiro Patissiere
2011 "Someday" (Dream High OST Part.1) Dream High
"Alicia" (The story of My Horse and I, Alicia OST) Non-album release
"Hold My Hand" (The Greatest Love OST Part.4) The Greatest Love

[edit] Other appearances

Title Year Album Artist(s)
"Suga Luv" 2009 Suga Luv Bizniz
"Wolhwasumog Geumtoil" Dayz Su Ho Ji
"I hope" Love Class Mighty Mouse
"247" Segaeui Siseon Part 3 Segaeui Siseon
"You Are Stunning" Face-Off Run
"Why" 2010 Why Supreme Team and Jun (Browneyed Soul)
"I know" 2011 VVIP Seungri
"Like You" 2012 Vintage Wanted

[edit] Filmography

Drama
Year Title Networks Role Notes
2011 Dream High KBS2 Kim Pil Suk
Welcome to the Show SBS Herself Episode 1
2012 Dream High 2 KBS2 Herself Episode 1
Cameo appearance
Salamander Guru and The Shadows SBS Herself Episode 6
Cameo appearance
Television
Year Title Networks Role Notes
2010 Heroes SBS Herself
2011 Kim Yu-na's Kiss and Cry Contestant Episode 8
Inkigayo Host March 20, 2011 - Present
1 vs. 100 KBS2 Guest
Immortal Song 2 Contestant
Entertainment Broadcast Guest as guest for 'guerilla date'
You Hee-Yeol's Sketchbook Guest
Come to play MBC Guest March 14, 2011
Radio Star Musical Guest March 30, 2011
E!TV Special SBS Host
Running Man Guest Episode 43
Strong Heart Guest
Mak Irae Show Tooniverse Guest July 15, 2011
Night After Night SBS Guest
2012 Running Man Guest Episode 77
Lee Hyori's You and I KST Musical Guest as premier episode guest
MTV Music Island SBS Musical Guest as premier episode guest

[edit] Awards

Years Awards
2010
  • 17th Republic of Korea Entertainment Arts Awards Ceremony : New Generation Singer Award
  • 11th Korea Visual Arts Festival: Photogenic Award
  • Cyworld Digital Music Awards : Song Of The Month (June) (Nagging)
  • 25th Golden Disk Awards: Digital Music Bonsang[32]
  • 2nd Melon Music Awards: 2010 TOP 10
  • 2010 Cyworld Digital Music Awards : Song Of The Month (December) (Good Day)
  • 2010 SBS Entertainment Awards : Variety New Star Award
2011
  • 20th Seoul Music Awards: Bonsang Award[33]
  • 20th Seoul Music Awards: Best Digital Album (REAL)[33]
  • 3rd Melon Music Awards: 2011 Top 10
  • 3rd Melon Music Awards: Song of the Year (Digital Daesang)
  • 13th Mnet Asian Music Awards : Best Vocal Performance Solo
  • 5th Mnet 20's Choice Awards : Hot CF Star [34]
  • 2011 Korea Advertising Association Awards: Good Model Award
  • 2011 TVCF Award: Model of the Year [35]
  • 2011 Style Icon Awards: Top 10 Style Icon
  • 2011 Cyworld Digital Music Awards : Artist Arward [36]
2012

[edit] Music Programs

These are a collection of IU's wins on Korea's televised music shows. Inkigayo is aired on SBS, M! Countdown on Korean cable channel M.net, and Music Bank on KBS.

[edit] Music Bank

Year Date Song
2010 July 2 Nagging
December 24 Good Day
December 31
2011 January 7
December 9 You & I
December 16
December 23
December 30
2012 January 6
January 13

[edit] Inkigayo

Year Date Song
2010 June 27 Nagging
December 19 Good Day
December 26
2011 January 2
December 18 You & I
December 25
2012 January 1

[edit] M! Countdown

Year Date Song
2010 December 23 Good Day

[edit] Music On Top

Year Date Song
2012 January 12 You & I

[edit] Other Media

In December 2011, LOEN Entertainment together with dooub, Inc. released an iOS game IU SHAKE.[39]

[edit] References

  1. ^ 아이유(IU). people.nate.com
  2. ^ IU in KBS WORLD[dead link]
  3. ^ "IU sings for Queen Seon Duk OST". All K-pop. 2009-09-09. http://www.allkpop.com/2009/09/iu_sings_for_queen_seon_duk_ost. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  4. ^ "IU had famous helpers for her upcoming mini-album, "REAL"". All K-pop. 2010-12-03. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/12/iu-had-famous-helpers-for-her-upcoming-mini-album-real. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  5. ^ Interview with the Producers of IU’s ‘Good Day’. Retrieved on 2012-02-24.
  6. ^ Yoo Hee Yeol's Sketchbook. July 20, 2009. Youtube.com (2009-07-20). Retrieved on 2011-10-24.
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ IU reveals her comeback teaser photo. Retrieved on 2011-11-18.
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ [3]
  11. ^ http://www.emimusic.jp/artist/iu?action=news&id=8688
  12. ^ "IU may have earned over 4 million dollars in 2010". All K-pop. 2010-12-29. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/12/iu-may-have-earned-over-4-million-dollars-in-2010. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  13. ^ "IU and Seo In Kook model for UNIONBAY". http://www.allkpop.com/2011/01/iu-and-seo-in-kook-model-for-unionbay. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  14. ^ "IU chosen as new model for "Mexicana Chicken"". http://www.allkpop.com/2011/01/iu-chosen-as-new-model-for-mexicana-chicken. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  15. ^ "Samsung Anycall picks up ‘almighty’ IU to be their model". http://www.allkpop.com/2011/01/samsung-anycall-picks-up-almighty-iu-to-be-their-model. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  16. ^ G by Guess
  17. ^ The Saem
  18. ^ "IU does player introductions for Sony Ericsson GSL Season 2". All K-Pop. 2010-10-22. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/10/iu-does-player-introductions-for-gsl-season-2. Retrieved 2011-02-23. 
  19. ^ "SBS finalizes the 12 member female cast for new variety show Heroes". All K-Pop. 2010-07-02. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/07/sbs-finalizes-the-12-member-female-cast-for-new-variety-show-heroes. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  20. ^ "IU transforms into an ‘ugly girl’ for "Dream High"". All K-pop. 2010-12-27. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/12/iu-transforms-into-an-ugly-girl-for-dream-high. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  21. ^ IU to perform at Bailey Raes concert in Korea. Koreatimes.co.kr. Retrieved on 2011-10-24.
  22. ^ Blizzard CUP Final Broadcasting Schedule
  23. ^ 2011 GSL Award Ceremony Video - Requires Premium Pass
  24. ^ IU does player introductions for Sony Ericsson GSL Season 2
  25. ^ :: 가온차트와 함께하세요 ::. Gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved on 2011-12-8.
  26. ^ :: 가온차트와 함께하세요 ::. Gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved on 2011-10-24.
  27. ^ "2011年12月12日～2011年12月18日のCDアルバム週間ランキング" (in Japanese). oricon.co.jp. 26 December 2011. http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2011-12-26/more/3/. 
  28. ^ soompi.com (Weekly Music Chart 2008 - October week 3)
  29. ^ soompi.com (Weekly Music Chart 2009 - May week 4)
  30. ^ soompi.com (Weekly K-pop Music Chart 2009 - August week 4)
  31. ^ soompi.com (Weekly KPop Music Chart 2009 -Dec. Week 3)
  32. ^ Winners from the 25th Golden Disk Awards. Allkpop.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-24.
  33. ^ a b Winners from the 20th High1 Seoul Music Awards. Allkpop.com (2011-01-20). Retrieved on 2011-10-24.
  34. ^ Winners from the 2011 Mnet 20’s Choice Awards. Allkpop.com (2011-07-07). Retrieved on 2011-10-24.
  35. ^ Award winners
  36. ^ [4]
  37. ^ from the 9th Korean Music Awards. Daum.net (2012-02-20) Retrieved on 2012-02-21.
  38. ^ from the 9th Korean Music Awards. Naver.net (2012-02-29) Retrieved in 2012-02-29.
  39. ^ "아이유 셰이크 (IU SHAKE)". December 12, 2011. http://https://www.facebook.com/iushake. 

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: IU (singer)
IU
Discography
Studio albums
Korean
  • Growing Up
  • Last Fantasy
EPs
  • Lost and Found
  • IU...IM
  • Real
  • I □ U
Singles
  • "Lost Child"
  • "Boo"
  • "You Know (Rock Ver.)"
  • "Marshmallow"
  • "Nagging"
  • "Good Day"
  • "Real+ (Only I didn't know)"
  • "You and I"
Collaboration singles
  • "It’s First Love"
  • "I Believe In Love"
  • "It's You"
  • "Ice Flower"
Promotional singles
  • "I Hoppin U"
  • "Memories Of The Sea"
  • "Last Fantasy"
Television

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