Korean Netizens Explain Why IU’s Latest Comeback Is Unpopular

Korean Netizens Explain Why IU’s Latest Comeback Is Unpopular
Korean netizens’ opinions on numerous issues explain why IU’s new return isn’t as successful as her past hits.
tegamiJust 20 seconds agoLast updated: February 29, 2024 4 minutes read
After three years away from music, IU returned. Despite expectation and its great scope (with 4 MVs and features from BTS’s V, NewJeans’ Hyein, DPR IAN, and actress Tang Wei), IU’s latest album is falling behind her previous releases and was recently eclipsed by BIBI.

Korean forum remarks may explain why this is happening, which many people wonder why.


The song lyrics of “Shopper” and “Holssi” are weird and unrelated to Korean tastes. Some cannot relate to the music or understand IU’s lyrics. Comments:

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While I understand “Holssi” and “Love Wins All,” “Shopper” is ambiguous. Lyrics are unclear in the music video. Very fond of IU. Her music are great, but I don’t understand the shopper.
Unsure of the lyrics’ meaning…
No matter how many times I listen, I can’t read the lyrics. The lyrics are excellent when you can hear them, like ‘Night Letter,’ but eventually they get so bad that I start mumbling, which is frustrating.”
Spooky lyrics ��� Considerations such as ‘don’t fear heights‘ Lyrics of “Shopper” are also uninteresting. Does IU still read books?
Enjoy “Holssi” but struggle with “Shopper”… No other IU MV has made me want to quit midway. My main motivation for watching was hoping the lyrics might change, but they didn’t.
The pronunciation in English is difficult to comprehend.
Second, IU was loved by Koreans as a “little sister” and nice girl-next-door, but she now carries a cooler, more trendy look. According to linked remarks, Koreans dislike this new IU image.

The public may not like IU’s music or style.
With her fixation on trendiness, IU becomes increasingly isolated from the public.
I feel like IU is trying to be fashionable by coloring her hair and becoming a global sensation, but she’s wearing inappropriate outfits.
I admire IU and forward her albums release. Trying new things is excellent, but… Currently, she appears to be embracing hip-hop style but wears ill-fitting garments ���ㅜ I’m awkward. Feeling disappointed Ⅰ Formerly, IU’s unique music was a fad. Following the new tracks, I revisited old ones like ‘Rain Drop’ and ‘Every End of the Day’.
She suspects IU’s path is unsuitable.
Perhaps IU is aiming to appear trendy. That mood bothers me, so I just listen to emotional “Love Wins All” for now.
Old IU, please return… It looks like you’re mindlessly following the current style—your colors don’t match.
IU’s voice skills are unpopular with Korean netizens. She was loved for her raw, passionate voice and soft, meaningful compositions.

While not a fan of IU, I appreciate their flair in songs like “Through the Night,” “Knee,” and “Heart”… I hope she would release something like that again, but contemporary songs tend to focus more on flashy elements than the spirit of the song. Dislike their sound.
No idea when I last listened to IU. Her old tunes are missed.
I only recall IU’s past songs… Her songs fade with time. It seems IU is dying too.
The musical orientation of IU seems to be diverging from the public. Based on fact, most people think only “Love Wins All” works.
In my opinion, IU’s older songs better complement her voice. IU’s emotive manner doesn’t fit her voice.
I prefer simple songs like “Through the Night” and “Meaning of You” since IU has a natural voice and sings effectively, but I don’t like her singing high notes like “Strawberry Moon” or “Lilac”.
Although I appreciate IU, I think her older songs’ sentiments were genuine. My favorite song is “Knee,” and I appreciate “Secret Garden” and “My Old Story” from the remake albums since they resonate with IU. Recently, her voice has changed, making it difficult to understand the songs. However, this reappearance disappoints me. I wish she would release “Every End of the Day” or “Rain Drop” again.
IU’s simpler singing style was appealing, but today I think she uses too many techniques? It appears she strains to pronounce high notes? Not liking that feeling.
“The Winning” receives mixed responses from domestic listeners, suggesting IU is facing many problems with this comeback. Uncertain lyrics and clumsy delivery are turning some Koreans off to this new IU approach.
To attract international admirers, IU is focusing more on melodies with English lyrics. If IU keeps releasing songs with strange melodies,PAK (Perfect All-Kill) will be harder to achieve.
IU may need to return to Korean songs or find a balance between Korean and international fans to maintain her momentum.
From K Crush.