Woman Crush Wednesday: IU

Welcome to the first post of Kpopmap’s Woman Crush Wednesday, where we empower women to become all that they dream to be!

Women are beautiful. Women are strong. Women are powerful. We want you girls (and guys) to be inspired to be able to become whatever you aspire to be! That’s why we created the Woman Crush Wednesday segment for our readers. Here we share the detailed profile and story about one of the hottest female K-Pop idols, who’s story can inspire you go work hard to fulfill your dreams. Work hard, play hard, amirite?!

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You all know who she is, but did you know this about her? To kick off our first Kpop Map’s WCW, let me introduce you to the lovely IU!

Woman Crush Wednesday: IU Edition

IU

(Lee JiEun 이지은)

Who’s Our WCW?

IU was born on May 16, 1993 as Lee JiEun. Ever since she was young, she was enchanted by the entertainment industry and started training through classes. She had a harsh childhood as her family’s financial situation deteriorated, and soon her younger brother and she were raised under their grandma is an impoverish tiny apartment. In middle school, she started performing in small public venues and auditioned over 20 times (she failed to get any call backs). Although she was scammed by fake entertainment companies and misled by multiple scammers, IU was finally able to successfully sign into LOEN Entertainment in 2007. Within 10 months of training, she was able to debut as a solo artists with the name IU. IU is derived from the phrase ‘I and You’, to symbolize the unifying force of music and people.

Why We Crush

In short, because she knows what she wants and works her butt of to get it. The longer version is because she’s a multi-talented singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, and producer. She literally started from the bottom, but now she’s here: as one of the greatest female K-Pop solo acts with multitudes 48 awards (37 nominations - and counting!), productions, and a huge-ass global fanbase. Must we say more?

Where We’ve Seen Her

Her music, obviously. She’s had 3 studio alums, 37 music videos, 9 EPs, 21 singles, 12 collab work singles with the hottest acts, and 17 OST appearances. Do go on? You’ve seen her in dramas, starting from her adorable PilSuk from ‘Dream High’ to the latest epitomy of chicness Cindy of ‘The Producers’.

Where You’ll See Her Next

IU’s been all over the world since her latest hit album, Chat-Shire. She’s been holding concerts in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea - just to name a few. Knowing IU, she won’t be silent for long. We expect another hit of musical glory from her very very soon! Not only will we be hearing her new music, we can expect her in a new K-Drama ‘Scarlet Heart: Ryeo’ as the lead role!

Now you know! We’ll see each other next week for another installment of Kpopmap Woman Crush Wednesday’s star of the week!

xoxo