IU (real name Lee Ji Eun, born in 1993) is currently considered one of the most influential and beloved solo singers in Korea - a rare achievement in the music industry that is dominated by idol groups.
With her unique voice and impressive composing skills, she continuously dominates the charts every time she releases a music product.
But according to Koreaboo, behind IU's success is an admirable story of perseverance and growth.
IU's childhood began peacefully, but her family suddenly encountered difficulties after her mother helped a relative sign a loan deal. This person later fled, leaving all the debt to IU's mother. The burden of debt has pushed her family into poverty and was constantly harassed by creditors.
Finally, IU had to move away from her parents and live in a cramped rented apartment with her grandmother and younger brother. They hardly have enough money to eat well, often just living on potatoes. IU had to walk uphill to get to school because she didn't have enough money to take the bus.
Due to increasingly declining conditions, IU temporarily had to live with relatives. This was an experience that hurt the female singer because of the harsh treatment she had to endure.
Determined to change circumstances, IU began auditioning for entertainment companies as a child. Despite being constantly rejected and even being a victim of a scamsome company, IU has never given up on her dream.
Her perseverance was eventually rewarded, when she signed a contract with LOEN Entertainment (now Kakao M).
IU officially debuted in 2009 with the song "Lost Child," but her career really took off in 2010, when the album "Good Day" was released and brought IU's name to the public. The song "Good Day" alone has brought the female singer more than 6 billion won.
With increasing success, IU is known as the "queen of music charts", the most famous female solo singer in Korea.
Moreover, IU is recognized for developing her singing and acting career in parallel. She became famous on screen with the image of "national sister", then left her mark with many works such as "The Producers", "My Mister", "The Moon Lover", "Hotel Del Luna", "When Life Is for You"...
IU is also the most sought-after Korean artist in the advertising industry, having topped the most popular advertising model polls many times.
Korean media estimates that IU may have earned nearly 30 billion won in 2024, when looking at the total artist-related service fee of EDAM Entertainment (a subsidiary of Kakao M) of up to 33.6 billion won.
In addition to income from music activities, film acting and advertising, IU also increased her assets by investing in real estate. In 2018, she bought a building in Gwacheon for 4.6 billion won, the value of which has increased significantly to the present.
Later that year, she bought land and a resort in rural Yangpyeong for her family, worth about 3 billion won.
In 2021, the female singer stunned everyone when she bought a luxury apartment in Cheongdam-dong for 13 billion won, paying for the entire amount without borrowing capital.
In addition, IU builds a beautiful image by actively donating to charity. In the first half of 2025 alone, IU has donated 550 million won to charities, nonprofit organizations and supported victims and firefighters in a large-scale forest fire in the Gyeongsang area.
IU is currently dating actor Lee Jong Suk. They have been publicly dating for more than 2 years, becoming one of the most famous celebrity couples in the Korean entertainment industry.
