Lee Ji-Eun, better known by her stage name IU, is the most famous and loved soloist and actress in South Korea. Her stage name, IU, which comes from the phrase “I and You”, has become a household name in the nation. IU made her singing debut in 2008 with the song “Lost Child”. However, she did not climb the ladder of fame until 2010, when her hit song “Good Day” became a major hit in South Korea. Due to her incredible songs and visuals, IU has received two national titles: The Nation’s Little Sister and The Nation’s Sweetheart.

The 29-year-old made her acting debut with the 2011 hit drama Dream High in a smaller role. But then she proceeded to get her first lead role in You’re The Best (2013). IU’s natural and adorable acting won the hearts of many fans and put her in the spotlight worldwide. To celebrate her Cannes film debut with Broker (2022), let’s see some of the best IU performances.

6 Bel Ami (2013)

     KBS

Directed by Lee Jae-Sang, Bel Ami is the story of Dogko Ma-Te (Jang Keun-Suk), who wants to make a lot of money with his good looks. He sets out to date the top-10 most successful women of South Korea until he bumps into Kim Bo-Tong (IU), a girl of poor upbringing who he has been in love with for 10 years. This series is a very typical rom-com, focused on Ma-Te’s beauty. Bo-Tong is a very bubbly character set out on a mission to make Ma-Te fall in love with her. Although this was not IU’s strongest character in terms of acting, but she still managed to pull off the girl-next-door vibe. She starts out strong with a determination to complete her goal.

5 The Producers (2015)

     KBS2

This show follows the backstage drama of a broadcasting company. A group of young producers and a pop star work tirelessly in the entertainment department of the company KBS. Directed by Pyo Min-Soo, this interesting and heartwarming series has one of the most star-studded casts, including IU as pop star Cindy, Kim Soo-Hyun as Baek Seung-Chan, and Kong Hyo-Jin as Tak Ye-jin. IU had to bring her superstar charisma for this role, which was perfectly used for its execution. With some of the most witty and savage lines, especially in a scene of her confronting her anti-fans, IU defines her versatility. IU made sure her ice-princess personality character is feared by everyone, with her poker face expressions.

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4 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

     SBSNBCUniversal International Television

Directed by Kim Kyu-Tae, this drama is bound to make viewers cry buckets of tears. The story follows Hae-Soo (IU), who is transported back into the Goryeo era, into the world of princes. She falls in love with 4th Prince Wang So, who makes everyone around him tremble with fear. Hae-Soo is IU’s most experimental and emotional character. She plays a woman suddenly being confused about her surroundings, to finally accepting her life now only to be struck by grief in the end. Hae-Soo is a bubbly and loving person who evolves into a broken soul. IU’s expressions, especially in the scenes of her writing a letter to Wang-So while being pregnant with his child, are enough to get viewers to cry with her. Along with somber scenes, IU also nails the comedic aspect of the show, which is evident in hair infamous fight scene with 10th Prince Wang Eun (Baekhyun).

3 My Mister (2018)

     tvN

Directed by Kim Won-Suk, IU’s role as Lee Ji-An is one of the most challenging roles up to date. This show follows Ji-An, a woman who has faced a lot of atrocities in her life and finds refuge with a man in his 40s. For the first time in her life, she finds herself fully trusting someone. This noir thriller drama bumped up IU’s image and portfolio a notch. IU’s acting was phenomenal as she embodied the personality of Ji-An for this role. All of Ji-An’s life struggles could be seen just through the emotions in her eyes and her absolutely broken expressions. IU’s delivery of emotions was so moving that it could make viewers feel deeply for her. Especially in the scene with her grandmother, IU broke and won millions of hearts.

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2 Hotel Del Luna (2019)

Directed by Oh Choong-Hwan, Hotel Del Luna follows the story of Jang Man-Wol (IU), CEO of the ghost catering Hotel Del Luna. Koo Chan-Sung (Yeo Jin-Goo) unexpectedly starts working as a manager at the hotel, and what follows is a delight for everyone. Man-Wol is IU’s most iconic and fashionable roles. She brings out the complexity of her character effortlessly, almost like its second nature to her. She makes her intimidation, greed, and wittiness all feel so real that fans were utterly impressed to see her in a different shade of dark fantasy. Additionally, the chemistry between the leads also seems so effortless and natural, that the drama is a smooth sailing ship of awesomeness.

1 Broker (2022)

     CJ ENM

Directed by Koreeda Hirokazu, Broker is a movie about a small place called the baby box, where people can leave their children anonymously to find new homes. Moon So-Young (IU) leaves her child in the baby box and later stirs up drama when she comes back for her child. Broker marks IU’s movie debut with a very strong character. She brought about her A-Game when it came to expressions, gestures, and emotions in the movie. IU portrays a young unprepared mother and perfectly depicts the maternal instincts one would have and the emotions they would feel towards their child. Her acting has received a lot of love and fans cannot wait for more projects from IU to come to wow them.