From featuring on Forbes Korea‘s Power Celebrity 40 list to debuting at the Cannes Film Festival and owning an exponential net worth, South Korean singer IU has successfully cemented her name in the global entertainment industry.
One of the best-selling solo artists in a group-dominated K-pop industry, IU became the first female Korean artist to hold a solo concert, The Golden Hour, at Seoul Olympic Stadium, in 2022. Over the years, the singer has been part of multiple successful studio albums, including Modern Times (2013), Palette (2017) and Lilac (2021).
The award-winning artist made her acting debut in 2011, and since then, she has landed leading roles in multiple Korean movies and TV shows. These include popular titles like Hotel Del Luna (2019), Broker (2022), Dream (2023) and When Life Gives You Tangerines (2024).
The singer-actor is of late gearing up for her much-anticipated H.E.R. world tour. It is all set to kick off on 2 March 2024, at KSPO Dome stadium, Seoul, South Korea. As part of this expansive world tour, South Korean singer IU will be seen travelling to landmark arenas across Asia, Europe and North America.
All about IU: Net worth, music career, filmography and other earnings
IU’s net worth
According to GQ India and other K-media sources, IU’s net worth is around USD 40-45 million, as of February 2024.
One of the richest K-pop idols, most of IU’s fortune comes from music streams, album sales, acting projects, sold-out concerts, commercials, brand endorsements and social media earnings.
Music Career
With over 70 songwriting credits and multiple accolades to her name, IU has established herself as a formidable force on the Korean as well as global music charts.
The singer debuted in the music industry with the single “Lost Child” in the K-music programme M Countdown on 18 September 2008. The track was released as the lead single from her first extended play (EP) Lost and Found that was released on 24 September 2008. Along with public appreciation, the album earned her the “Rookie of the Month” award by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in November 2008.
Following this, IU released her first album, Growing Up in April 2009. It sold around 31,000 copies and gave IU her first Top 25 hits “Boo” and “Hey (Rock Ver.)” in South Korea’s Circle Gaon chart.
The “Lilac” singer’s popularity soared with her frequent acoustic cover performances of other artists’ songs, such as Super Junior’s “Sorry, Sorry”, Big Bang’s “Lies” and Girls’ Generation’s “Gee”. IU also made appearances on variety shows like Star Golden Bell, radio programmes such as Kiss the Radio, and even became a television presenter in the latter half of 2009.
In 2010, IU released the hit K-drama OST “Someday” as a part of the original soundtrack of the TV show Dream High. Shortly after its release, the track topped at #1 on the Gaon Digital Chart. One of the best-selling OSTs of IU, “Someday” sold over 2,209,924 digital copies by the end of 2011.
The South Korean artist recorded her first self-composed song, “Hold My Hand” for the 2011 romantic-comedy television series, The Greatest Love. The song peaked at #2 on the Gaon Digital Chart and sold 2,031,787 digital copies that year.
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IU released her second studio album, Last Fantasy, on 29 November 2011, with Billboard appreciating its opening track, “Secret,” for setting the cinematic feel of the album. Produced by Jo Yeong-cheol, Last Fantasy surpassed 10 million download sales within the first two weeks of release. Meanwhile, the album’s lead single “You & I” became a commercial success, with over 5.5 million digital copies sold by the end of 2012. It also topped the Gaon as well as the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 charts that year.
Since then, IU has been part of numerous hit albums, including Spring of a Twenty Year Old (2012), Can You Hear Me? (2013), Modern Times (2013), A Flower Bookmark (2014), Chat-Shire (2015) and Palette (2017).
In 2020, IU released the digital single “Give You My Heart” as a part of the official soundtrack of the hit Netflix drama series Crash Landing on You. One of the best Korean drama OSTs of all time, the single debuted at #71 on Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart after its release and went on to peak at #1 the following week.
Lilac, her fifth studio album, debuted atop the Gaon Album Chart with all of its tracks charting in the top 30 of the Gaon Digital Chart in Korea, after its release in March 2021. Additionally, her 2022 K-pop collaboration with rapper Jay Park for the single “Gandara” earned her the #1 spot on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 chart. Not to forget her collaboration with rapper Agust D for “People Pt.2”, which further earned her the #1 place on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart in 2023.
Of late, the singer is basking in the success of her hit 2024 single “Love Wins All”, which is a part of her upcoming EP The Winning, set for release on 20 February 2024. According to K-media outlet Koreaboo, “Love Wins All” landed atop Korea’s Melon Top 100 chart an hour after its release, becoming the fastest song by a female artist to top the chart since its renewal in August 2021. Meanwhile, the music video for the same featuring BTS’ V surpassed over 13 million views after 24 hours of its release on YouTube.
Acting career
The singer-actor made her acting debut in 2011 with a supporting role in the hit K-drama series Dream High, starring Kim Soo-hyun. Consequently, IU landed her first leading role with the 2013 Yoon Sung-sik directorial You Are the Best! The KBS2 drama, which focuses on a family’s devastation upon losing a loved one, garnered a nationwide viewership rating of 25.8 per cent, according to Nielsen Korea. The TV show also earned IU a Most Popular Actress nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2014.
However, it wasn’t until her performance in the 2015 TV show The Producers co-starring Gong Hyo-jin, that IU became a household name in South Korea. While her impressive performance as singer Cindy earned her critical acclaim, the series became a commercial hit with a finale viewership rating of 17.7 per cent.
Following this, the K-pop idol appeared in multiple other Korean TV shows and movies, including My Mister (2018), Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2018), Hotel Del Luna (2019) and Shades of the Heart (2021). While Hotel del Luna went on to become one of the highest-rated K-dramas of all time, Kim Jong-kwan directorial Shades of the Heart made USD 155,368 at the worldwide box office, reported the Korean Film Council.
With such consistent successes, IU became one of the highest-paid actors in the Korean entertainment industry. According to multiple sources, the celebrity currently earns around USD 380,000 per episode for her K-drama projects.
IU made her Cannes Film Festival debut with the 2022 movie Broker. Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Broker not only competed for the Palme d’Or but also earned IU a Best New Actress nomination at the 27th Chunsa International Film Festival.
After achieving notable success in 2022, IU started 2023 with the sports comedy-drama Dream opposite Park seo-joon. According to the Korean Film Council, with over 93,420 viewers, Dream became the first South Korean movie to top the box office within 50 days of its release, since The Devil’s Deal in March 2023. According to Box Office Mojo, it collected a whopping USD 8,317,251 at the worldwide box office.
The K-pop idol’s upcoming project includes the Netflix K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, which is all set to release in 2024 and co-stars popular Korean actor Park Bo-gum.
Luxury brand endorsements
Besides K-movies and dramas, IU has also endorsed an array of brands and featured in multiple commercial films (CF), which add to her impressive net worth.
Nicknamed ‘CF Queen’ in Korea, she has been the face of popular brands like Pepsi, Qdush (China), G by Guess, Samsung, Nongshim, ISOI, The Same, Black Yak, Chamisul Soju, Jeju Samdasoo, Homeplus and Woori Financial Group.
In May 2020, IU became the fourth South Korean star to be named the global ambassador for the Italian luxury house Gucci, following model Shin Min-ah, actor Lee Jung-jae and singer Kai. On 1 January 2024, IU made an appearance at the Gucci Ancora Fashion Show during Milan Fashion Week Menswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025, as the face of the brand.
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With over 32.1 million followers as of February 2024, IU also makes sure to dominate Instagram with numerous professional updates, sponsored posts and personal musings. Her official TikTok account, launched on 14 January 2024, has already amassed over one million followers, with her first post garnering around 18.5 million views.
The “Boo” singer also handles her own YouTube channel @dlwlrma, which has over 9.3 million subscribers as of February 2024. According to Forbes Korea, she earned a total of USD 1 million from YouTube in 2021. IU’s reported monthly earnings from the social media platform, which is over USD 79,000 to USD 1.8 million, also add significantly to her net worth.
Expensive things owned by IU: Real estate, cars and more
The renowned Korean celebrity is known for spending most of her wealth on prime real estate investments.
IU reportedly owns a lavish penthouse worth USD 11.7 million in Eterno Cheongdam, Seoul. Deemed one of Korea’s most expensive properties, her luxury abode comes with floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning Han River views.
According to Koreaboo, she bought a studio in Gyeonggi-do for a whopping USD 3.62 million. The “Strawberry Moon” singer owns properties in Gwacheon, Yangpyeong-gun and Bangbae as well.
Furthermore, the K-pop sensation loves investing her wealth in luxury cars. In her vlogs, the superstar is often seen driving a jumbo Porsche Cayenne.
South Korean singer IU is also a proud dog parent of the expensive Maltese breed, named Bbugu. Besides making cameos in IU’s YouTube vlogs, the celebrity pet is also seen shooting commercials and accompanying the actor on her schedule.
Personal life
Born on 16 May 1993 in Seoul, South Korea, Lee Ji-eun, aka IU, dreamed of being in the entertainment world since elementary school. She graduated from Dongduk Girls’ High School in 2012 and later dropped out of post-graduation to pursue her career as a singer.
On the relationship front, IU is in a relationship with popular Korean actor Lee Jong-suk. K-media outlet Dispatch made the couple’s dating news public in December 2022.
(Hero and featured image: Courtesy IU/X)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Who is the BF of singer IU?
IU is in a relationship with South Korean actor Lee Jong-suk.
– Why is she called IU?
The K-pop idol goes by the stage name IU, which symbolises the phrase ‘you and I’.
– Is Lee Jong-suk married to IU?
As of February 2024, Lee Jong-suk is dating South Korean singer IU. The couple are not yet married.
– Did BTS Jungkook date singer IU?
BTS member Jungkook didn’t date South Korean singer IU. However, the former has often mentioned about having a crush on IU.
– What is IU’s net worth?
According to multiple sources, IU enjoys a net worth of around USD 40-45 million, as of February 2024.
A PhD research scholar, Sushmita is a full-time writer and a part time poet. Notepads are Sushmita's one true love -- the unbothered victims drowned in the ink of her pen. An avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, she mostly writes about Korean culture and entertainment. When not writing, Sushmita is dancing, reading, collecting books, learning about fashion, art, motion pictures, and appreciating BTS.
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