K-pop queen IU is celebrating her 31st birthday on May 16. The singer has a reigning K-pop career spanning over two decades, releasing over six studio albums, nine extended plays, and numerous chart-topping singles.
IU started her music career in 2008 with the single “Lost Child.” Since then, the seasoned vocalist has shown her artistry and creative credibility with every new album and single. What makes IU’s music an intangible part of Korean artistry is her mastery in molding her songwriting skills with age. With every new era of IU, aka Lee Ji-Eun, listeners can trace her growth and emotional maturity.
So, here we delve deep into IU’s rich discography to explore her best albums and extended plays, which will always be close to fan hearts.
Modern Times
IU’s third studio album, Modern Times, was released on October 8, 2013, and contained over thirteen tracks. The album is a tribute to classic jazz, reminiscing about the 1920s music scene in the United States. Unlike IU’s albums, which came much later, Modern Times is spontaneous. The album focuses more on capturing the thriving spirit of jazz than creating cohesion through the tracks.
As one of her earliest album releases, Modern Times helped IU gain recognition like never before. The album debuted at number 1 on the Gaon Album Chart (later renamed Circle) and sold over 73,351 copies in South Korea. IU also snagged multiple awards and nominations for the album, including Top 10 Artist at the 2013 Melon Music Awards.
Last Fantasy
IU’s second studio album, Last Fantasy, was unveiled on November 29, 2011. The album has thirteen tracks and multiple featured artists, including indie artists Ra.D, Lee Juck, Kim Hyeon-Cheol, and Yoon Sang. Last Fantasy produced the best of IU’s vocal skills with traditional arrangements in most songs.
From the album’s cover to the composition of the songs, IU successfully incorporates the Victorian-esque era theme, which struck a chord with fans and made them nostalgic. The album peaked at number 1 on the Gaon Album Chart, selling over 139,869 copies. Last Fantasy won the Best Album Award at the 2012 Seoul Music Awards and was nominated in the 9th Korea Music Awards.
Palette
The Palette was IU’s first personal album. She aimed to take complete creative control over the project and succeeded in making fans part of her emotional journey. The album became relatable to many fans in their mid-twenties as it explored life’s various atrocities. IU is unapologetic in the lyrics of the songs, speaking of her frivolous pleasures while assuring listeners that she is doing ‘truly fine.’
The album’s title track, “Palette,” also features a gorgeous feature from K-pop icon G-Dragon, which elevates the track’s appeal to many. Palette’s tracklist begins with the song, “dlwlrma” which is a nod to her Instagram profile where she sings, “This is a secret/ Something I’ve never confessed to anyone/ When you listen to my story/ You ask me with wide eyes.” From the first one to the concluding track, “Dear Name,” IU weaves a tale of her twenties experience with genius songwriting.
The album was recognized for its true mastery and sold over 145,911 copies in South Korea, topping the Gaon Album Chart. It also won multiple awards, including Album of the Year at the 2017 Melon Music Awards and Best Pop Album at the 2018 Korean Music Awards.
Love Poem
IU’s storytelling took a new turn in the 2019 extended play Love Poem. The EP is a modern love story comprising over six tracks. Love Poem takes listeners through the stages of love, from blooming in pleasant feelings for someone to a goodbye “lullaby.” Mixed with powerful lyrics, IU shows how to deliver a melancholic masterpiece through the album.
After a series of successful albums, IU maintained her streak with Love Poem. The album reached number 1 on the Circle Album Chart with over 276,561 unit sales and ranked number 10 on the Billboard US World Chart.
Lilac
Among IU’s many chart-topping albums, Lilac is an all-time favorite for fans. In Lilac, IU proved the pinnacle of her artistic majesty; every song is cohesive in delivering Lilac’s message. Instead of running away from the pop genre, she uses it to provide a farewell to her roaring twenties. The 2021 album comprised ten songs infused with genres featuring city pop, retro-funk, ballad, and indie pop.
Lilac became the best-selling album of IU’s career after its release on March 25, 2021. It debuted at number 1 on the Circle Album chart with over half a million sales. Along with commercial success and recognition in award shows, Lilac also prompted music critics to write blazing reviews. Music critic Sofiana Ramli praised the body of work, saying, “Every track on ‘LILAC’ is bolder and louder than what she’s put out before – the K-pop superstar swaps her subdued brand of sun-kissed pop for dancefloor hits.”
The Winning
IU’s The Winning is her latest release on February 20, 2024. After almost four years of Lilac, the hitmaker ended a long wait and released The Winning. The album sold over 378,957 copies in South Korea, debuting at number 3 on the Circle Album chart and 28 on Japan’s Oricon chart.
In addition to the album sales, IU gained an All-Kill status, with her new album sweeping South Korea’s multiple charts in real-time. It claimed the No. 1 spot on real-time music charts, including Melon (the Top 100 and Hot 100), Genie, and Bugs.
The album seems like a fitting nod to IU’s new career era. In The Winning, she flawlessly executes her years of learning in K-pop, inviting multiple global stars who fit perfectly with the album’s mood. In “Love Wins All,” IU features BTS heartthrob V, whose charismatic yet poignant screen presence makes the music video a treat. She also includes NewJeans singer Hyein in the song “Shh,” whose refreshing vocals lend the track the edge it needs.
After delivering her 2024 gift to fans, The Winning, IU is gearing up to meet the fans through live concerts. The “Celebrity” crooner has announced the dates of her upcoming concerts, including U.S. dates.
Dates of IU’s world tour 2024 include:
- July 15: Newark, Prudential Center
- July 19: Atlanta, State Farm Arena
- July 22: Washington, Capital One Arena
- July 25: Rosemont, Allstate Arena
- July 30: Oakland, Oakland Arena
- August 2: Los Angeles, Kia Forum
IU’s “HER” world tour includes 38 K-pop concerts across Asia and the U.S. in 2024. She started her H.E.R world tour on March 2, holding a concert in her home country, Seoul’s KSPO Dome. IU performed in multiple Asian cities, including Seoul, Yokohama, and Taipei. The singer’s setlist included “Holssi,” “Bbibbi,” “Celebrity,” “Blueming,” “Coin,” “Hold My Hand,” “Eight, “Meaning of You,” “Shopper,” and more songs.
