From disco-dance songs to soft ballads, popular Kpop singer IU has been there, sung that. Since her debut in 2008, the artist has added upwards of 50 tracks to her discography — topping charts, bagging awards, and selling-out concerts in the meantime. Needless to say, there’s an anthem for every season and occasion. Here’s our top picks for various moods.
Few celebrities can claim to have as much star power in South Korea as Lee Ji-eun. Brand deals are nearly always knocking at her doorstep and her net worth sits at a jaw-dropping USD 40 million (INR 334 crore approx.). This, courtesy of her successful musical journey, which began sometime in 2008 when she took to the stage with A Lost Child. Despite being booed, she persisted — soon releasing chart-topping tracks. Today, IU’s worked on several popular songs and collaborations — her latest with BTS’ V called Love Wins All clocking in major acclaim and views. Over the years, she’s been hailed for her ability to stay honest with her music — her lyrics delving into relatable anxieties and challenges. No surprises that her music is for all. Here are a few of IU’s most popular Kpop songs for every mood.
Popular songs by Kpop singer IU for your every mood
In Love: strawberry moon
IU’s soft, breezy vocals truly capture the ease and comfort of a steady romance — perfectly depicted in this electropop song. There’s a certain dream-like quality to it all, complete with a mellow piano melody. The song talks about a love that’s faithful, enduring, and unfettered by life’s challenges — the video seeing her leave behind earthly problems to sit on top of the world and dig into a ‘scoop’ of ‘strawberry moon’ with her partner. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of luck..,” the lyrics state. The song has also been hailed by experts for its lyricism. If you’re in love, this song is bound to be relatable.
Nostalgic: Palette ft. G Dragon
In this coming-of-age electropop song — the title track of her fourth album — IU reflects on how her tastes and preferences have changed as she’s grown. She stresses her contentment with herself, “I like it, I’m 25,” she croons before adding, “I got this, I’m truly fine.” Her understanding of maturity is comforting for anyone looking back at their own lives and trying to make sense of growing up. Supporting the lyrics are sweet synth and R&B details. Throw in rap icon G-Dragon’s motivational little touch and it’s no surprise that the song rose to the top of all charts as soon as it dropped. To truly make it personal, IU wrote, produced, and composed the song herself.
Lovesick: Friday
This pop track with a medium-tempo and acoustic details quickly became one of the best-selling singles in South Korea. In the song, IU croons about the excitement and anticipation that comes with having a crush. IU hopes to go out on a date, “This Friday. How is this Friday?,” she sings, adding, “It’s too hard to wait till the weekend. Time, please go faster, I want to rush the clock.” The music video sees her with History‘s Jang Yi Jeong who watches and pines for her from afar. If this doesn’t spell lovesick, we don’t know what does.
Heartbroken: Ending Scene
Few songs will manage to capture all the emotional turmoil of a breakup like this one. The ballad — featuring soft vocals and a prominent piano melody — has a wistful quality to it. The video and lyrics tell the tale of a soft romance that ends tragically — nostalgic flashes of good times moving through the screen. “Make sure you eat well because it’ll all pass. You’ll be able to sleep well like you did before,” she croons, parroting the words of her partner. “Do you think that I will ever. Be loved by someone like me?” she asks him, truly driving home the heartbreak. If you need a good cry, tune into this track.
Anxious: Twenty-Three
Whether you’re unsure about your career path or nervous about heading out to see that dating app match — you’re bound to find this disco-dance song by IU quite relatable. In it, she talks about how incredibly confusing it is to be an adult. “Frankly speaking I wanna give up. Oh right, I want to be in love. No, I rather make money,” she says, later adding, “The woman saying hello to me. Is she still smiling after going round the corner? I’m always anxious.” Supporting her expressive vocals are funky bass and electro-pop details. She dances through all the crises, inspiring legions of fans to do the same.
Happy: Everyday With You
Breezy vocals and a dream-like, whimsical melody with acoustic touches mark this popular track. In the Kpop song, IU touches on happy moments — from “Streets that get wet with the dawn rain” to “The fiery sky with the evening sunset,” — that she’d like to spend with her loved one. The lyrics are simple and joyful — chirps of birds coming in to truly drive home the feeling of a lazy, peaceful weekend surrounded by people who bring you comfort.
Sassy: BBIBBI
If you’re in the mood to set boundaries, say ‘no’ more often, or brush off criticism — this wildly popular alt-R&B song by IU will feel like a kindred spirit. In it, the singer claps back at haters, telling them “If you cross that line, I’ll get serious, beep.” The chorus is catchy, having her spell out words to drive them home. “Hello STU-P-I-D,” she sings pointedly. There’s clear confidence in her demeanour and words — both of which are highly contagious as soon as the track begins playing. This song will motivate you not to pay heed to the naysayers.
Which of these songs by IU are you adding to your playlist?
Hero and Featured Images: Courtesy IU
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What song made IU famous?
Good Day, Palette, and Strawberry Moon are a few songs that propelled Kpop singer IU to global stardom.
– How many songs did IU sing?
Kpop singer IU has written and sung over 50 songs throughout her career.
Eshita Srinivas
Senior Digital Writer - Entertainment and Food & Drinks
Eshita is a food, alcohol, travel, and entertainment writer who spends her days zeroing in on the next big trend to write about. She’s a communication graduate with bylines in Conde Nast Traveller India, GQ India, Deccan Herald, and Girls Buzz. When not at work, you’re likely to find her hunting for a good read or charting out the perfect itinerary for a solo trip across Asia.
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