Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
IU sweeps music charts with new single 'Celebrity'
IU released the new single “Celebrity” on Wednesday. Courtesy of EDAM Entertainment
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
IU has proven herself to be one of the top K-pop stars once again with her new single “Celebrity,” which has dominated streaming charts since its release on Wednesday.
As of Friday morning, the song topped all of the local major streaming charts, including Melon, Bugs, Genie, Flo and Naver VIBE.
It also soared on global charts, nabbing the first spot on the iTunes Song Chart in six countries, according to her agency, EDAM Entertainment.
This is IU's first project since she released the single, “Eight,” in collaboration with BTS' Suga, last May. “Eight” swept streaming sites worldwide, including iTunes charts in 59 countries.
“I've put extra effort into this song, hoping it will offer encouragement and condolences to my audiences,” IU said through the agency Thursday.
The electronic pop song deviates from IU's previous music style, offering a hint of tropical house through the use of synths and auto-tune.
IU took part in writing the song, along with the hit-making producer, Ryan Jhun, who is known for producing hit K-pop songs such as SHINee's “Lucifer” and Red Velvet's “Dumb Dumb.”
“Celebrity” is one of the tracks from her fifth album, which she is gearing up to release in the coming months. This will be her first studio album since the 2017 album “Palette,” which topped various music charts with its lead single featuring G-Dragon.
IU intends to narrate the last phase of her 20s through the upcoming album, the agency said.
A detailed schedule of the album release has not been revealed.
IU debuted in 2008 with the song “Mia,” but it wasn't until a year later that she had her breakout with the song “Marshmallow.” Since then, she has been building up a successful career in K-pop as a solo artist, having released the smash-hit single “Good Day.”