Singer-songwriter-actor IU is in the spotlight this week. She’s currently starring in the Hong sisters’ latest drama, Hotel del Luna. It might not be the blockbuster some were expecting, but the drama is pulling in some pretty nice ratings for tvN. And it’s so pretttty!
IU (born Lee Ji-eun) is no stranger to the limelight — she debuted as a solo artist in 2008 at the early age of fifteen. Since that time, she has carved quite a unique space for herself in her ten-years-and-still-going-strong career. While first and foremost a singer, IU also became interested in acting. Rather than dabble in acting to gain experience, like many other singers and idols are often seen doing, IU’s first acting gig was a main role in 2011’s teen music drama Dream High. Many leading roles, and much success, have followed, but I’ve always been impressed with the careful balance IU keeps between her music and acting careers.
Here are some dramaland moments from IU, followed by her full filmography.
Pretty Man (2013)
Yes, I know this drama was terrible. But anyone that has been reading these spotlights for a while knows I love talking about the duds more than the hits sometimes! Some dramas are bad enough to make you stop watching, some dramas are bad enough to make you keep watching — and some dramas are just bad enough to keep you locked in a drama-watching holding pattern. You can’t stop watching, but you’re not enjoying it either. Such was the case with Pretty Man, the Jang Geun-seok vehicle with a boring and predictable plot, a love line you couldn’t get behind, and second lead worth wringing your hands over. IU was adorable here as the crazy, colorful 20-year-old bag lady, but sadly her performance (nor anyone else’s) wasn’t enough to save the drama. Every actor has been better elsewhere. However, the vision of IU’s character swimming gleefully in Jang Geun-seok’s “sexy” collar bone hollow will never leave me, so it’s not a total loss.
My Ajusshi (2018)
If there’s a drama from last year that I most regret missing live, it’s My Ajusshi. Dark, emotional, and different from your typical mainstream K-drama fare, this drama told the story of a heroine’s hardships and her unique relationship/friendship with the “ajusshi” played by Lee Seon-kyun. IU seems to have an interesting pattern going for her acting projects, where her casting and/or roles are first met with a sprinkle of skepticism — only to be later tossed to the wind, after a great performance. It might have met some struggles along the way, but the drama performed well and was considered a critical and commercial success. I love that there is space for dramas like this one in dramaland, just as much as I love having it tucked away for a rainy day marathon.
Hotel del Luna (2019)
So, I’m not currently watching Hotel del Luna… *dodges tomatoes* but it’s not because I’m not interested in the story, and what the Hong Sisters will do with another ghostly drama/rom-com. It might not be the roaring success that was Master’s Sun from some years back, but it’s nice to see them having fun with the story (at least, it looks that way from my lurking in the recaps!). IU opposite the powerhouse that is Yeo Jin-gu sounds awfully good on paper, but at the same time, I’m not sure if they strike me as a Hong Sisters main couple. That being said, this drama is surely a visual treat, as the colors and cinematography look just plain sumptuous, and perfect for the storytelling.
IU’s full filmography: