IU’s Global Approach 2024: Even though IU has been one of South Korea’s biggest stars for more than 15 years—since breaking out on the music scene as a teenager—singer-songwriter-actress 2024 is set to be her most globally significant year to date because, in just the first month of her career, a number of noteworthy projects have already shaped a global narrative.
The singer began the year on January 12, when she made her first significant appearance in public at the Gucci Ancora Fashion Show at Milan Fashion Week Menswear Fall/Winter 2024–2025. IU, a worldwide brand ambassador for Gucci, showed her influence outside of the music industry by attending this esteemed event. She sat first row with Gucci President and CEO Jean-François Palus throughout the presentation.
IU’s Global Approach 2024
IU, Jean-François during the Gucci Ancora Menswear Fall Winter 2024 Fashion Show, Front Row, Milan Fashion Week, January 12, Milan, Italy
Since launching her official TikTok account on January 14, IU has gained close to one million followers. Her debut post on the platform has already received 18.5 million plays, demonstrating IU’s dedication to expanding her worldwide audience reach and having a sizable following eager to follow her.
However, the 30-year-old’s desire to reach a worldwide audience this year became most apparent when she announced that she will be embarking on her first-ever globe tour, the 2024 IU H.E.R. globe Tour. The historic tour, which was unveiled on January 16 and comprises arenas in Asia, Europe, and North America, is IU’s first domestic concert in ten years following her attendance at KCON 2014 Los Angeles. Four performances in Seoul mark the start of the trip.
Comeback to music industry
Then, on January 24, IU released her most recent single, “Love Wins All,” making her much anticipated comeback to the music industry. Her expressive skills were on full display in the heartbreaking song, which also featured a noteworthy collaboration with V of BTS, who costarred with her in the music video. The pair, who bring their acting skills to the forefront as two notable idol-actors—IU, a decorated and acclaimed actress with over ten years of experience, and V, who made his acting debut in the 2016 historical drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth—play selfless lovers caught in a harsh post-apocalyptic world in this visually stunning production. Within days after its publication, the five-minute film had over 33 million views on YouTube. The song should have an influence on a number of Billboard charts after reaching the top of local charts in Korea, including Melon and YouTube Music.
Upcoming Mini Album
As though she couldn’t fit more into a month, IU revealed on January 30 that The Winning, her upcoming mini album EP, will be released on February 20. As her first full-fledged music project in years, the project is expected to attract a lot of attention, especially in light of the pre-release buzz single “Love Wins All.” Last year, IU became one of the few K-pop soloists to enter the Billboard Hot 100 Bubbling Under chart with the No. 5 debut of “People Pt. 2,” featuring Suga from BTS.
IU appears dedicated to expanding her influence to a worldwide audience and establishing her unquestionable global stature with every second of January 2024. All eyes will be on IU as the year progresses, as the actress breaks new ground and writes the history of her most globally significant year to date.
