[IU] Billboard interview article translation
- 동년배나죽어
- 12.18.2024 18:30
- view 2330
- recommend 94
- comment 0
IU's success is an unprecedented record for a female K-pop solo artist.
As the representative artist of Korea in Billboard's Global No. 1 series, IU has built a massive fan base that spans generations.
From music production to acting, IU does it all, receiving unrivaled love and support from K-pop fans and the Korean music community. Her cross-generational popularity has shined even brighter in 2024, dominating the charts. Her single "Love Wins All" topped Melon's TOP 100 chart within an hour of its release on January 24, only the second such achievement since the platform's chart revamp. The smash hit topped the weekly chart for four consecutive weeks, topped the monthly chart in February, and achieved 339 perfect all-kills on iChart (a perfect all-kill is when a song dominates iChart's real-time, daily, and weekly charts).
This achievement became the driving force behind IU representing Korea in Billboard's Global No. 1 Artist series. Regarding this, IU said:
“It’s a little bit humbling, a little bit unrealistic, but honestly, it feels really special.”
Her success continued on stage. Starting on March 2, IU embarked on a world tour, performing 31 shows around the world, including in Japan, Europe, and North America, and set a new record for a Korean female solo artist with a total of 500,000 fans. After selling out four shows at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, she performed at the Philippine Arena in Manila, the world's largest indoor concert hall, becoming the first Korean solo artist to headline there.
On September 21 and 22, IU held an encore concert at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, becoming the first female artist to perform at the venue. With a total audience of 107,000 over the two days, it broke the record for the largest concert by a Korean solo artist and female artist.
What are the pros and cons of being a solo artist in the Korean music industry?
If I had to pick a challenge, it would be that there is no one to share energy with on stage. In a group, each person has a distinct role, and those roles create synergy, but as a solo artist, it seems difficult to reproduce that. However, on the other hand, there is also the advantage of being able to enjoy all the love and attention on stage by myself. (Laughs)
Many Korean artists are making a mark on the Billboard charts. What do you think makes them special?
There are countless strengths, but the most outstanding one is that K-pop groups maintain their individuality while still receiving deep respect from their fans. As a K-pop listener myself, I see how each group’s unique identity is cherished and maintained, and I think that’s what makes them special. Of course, the music is excellent, but the visual elements and storytelling are also important parts that define K-pop culture. For example, the unique characters and worldviews that groups can only show on stage are sometimes envied by solo artists. These unique elements captivate fans, providing an experience that satisfies the ears, eyes, and heart. Ultimately, I think Korean artists shine when this individuality and the support of fans come together.
You are also known for your strong bond with your fans. What do your fans mean to you?
At first, most of my fans were older than me. There were older sister fans, older brother fans, and even uncle fans. At that time, I was a young solo singer who hadn't yet found my place, so I felt like my fans took good care of me and protected me. When I entered my mid-20s, my peers became the majority, and we sympathized with each other and grew together as colleagues through my music and lyrics. Now that I have many younger fans, I want to cheer them on, encourage them, and cherish them. I think "Uaena [IU's fandom name]" and I maintain a balanced relationship where we give and receive the best from each other.
Why do you think it is so popular across generations?
I don't mean to belittle myself, but I think I have a relatively ordinary and unassuming appearance and personality compared to other great Korean stars, so I think I can be seen as more friendly and relatable. Also, Korea is a very warm country. I think the support you've given me is an expression of gratitude for my consistent efforts. But it's really amazing and surprising that even teenagers these days sympathize with me.
You've met fans from all over the world. Are there any memorable moments from your overseas performances?
It's hard to pick just one, but Auckland, New Zealand comes to mind. The fans there had a unique way of cheering, which made it an unforgettable experience. Another memorable place was Jakarta, Indonesia, where the audience sang along to every song from beginning to end. That passionate atmosphere will stay with me for a long time.
You're often evaluated as being both meticulous and flexible. How do you balance these conflicting tendencies?
I always feel like I'm at a crossroads. Some people say I'm flexible, but if you look at it another way, it could be that I'm good at rationalizing things in my own way. (Laughs) I'm originally stubborn and meticulous about planning, but things in life don't always go perfectly. As time went by, I practiced becoming more flexible, and in the process, I think I learned how to protect my mental health.
Aside from music, you've also established yourself as an actor. What are your plans for 2025?
The drama <When Life Gives You Tangerines> that I filmed throughout 2023 is scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2025. The cast and crew all worked hard on this piece, so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm also about to film a new drama with a completely different vibe. I think it'll be a more splendid and cheerful piece. I'll be focusing on acting for most of 2025, but I've already started working on new music, so my fans won't have to wait long.
-
94
-
4
Comment[0]새로고침
Top
Sort by :
'POP(f) galler'The gallery nickname is the recommended nickname in the gallery. (You can enter your nickname directly when deleting it.)