REVIEW IU wraps historic world tour with thoughtful Seoul finale

Singer IU performs during her "2024 IU HEREH WORLD TOUR CONCERT ENCORE: THE WINNING" at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, Sunday. Courtesy of EDAM Entertainment

By Pyo Kyung-min

• Published Sep 23, 2024 3:05 PM KST
• Updated Sep 24, 2024 3:49 PM KST

After captivating fans around the globe, singer IU returned to Seoul for the grand finale of her world tour. While the dazzling show wowed audiences, it was her remarkable thoughtfulness — both for concertgoers and nearby residents — that left the most lasting impression.

Over the weekend, IU held the "2024 IU HEREH WORLD TOUR CONCERT ENCORE: THE WINNING" at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District. Over two days, some 100,000 fans flocked to see the singer, who returned to her home ground after her extensive world tour that began in March.

With Seoul being the final stop of her 18-city tour, IU also made history as the first woman musician to headline Seoul World Cup Stadium, following renowned K-pop artists including PSY, G-Dragon and SEVENTEEN.

However, it wasn't the record-breaking numbers that stood out the most — it was her unwavering attention to detail and care for all involved.

Prior to the night's show, IU provided each attendee with cushions and binoculars to ensure a comfortable viewing experience. In a gesture of goodwill to the surrounding community, she also sent noise warnings and gift-wrapped trash bags to local residents, with these thoughtful touches making headlines even before the event.

The singer also addressed concerns raised online about the protection of the stadium's grass. Some fans worried the turf might be damaged by the large crowds, with one football enthusiast even filing a petition asking for the concert's cancellation.

In response, IU's agency, EDAM Entertainment, assured that the stadium's condition was a top priority. "We followed all guidelines for ground use and worked closely with venue officials to protect the turf," the agency said in a pre-show statement.

During Sunday's performance, IU performed a three-hour set of 24 songs, covering hits from her 16-year career. Her entrance was a spectacle in itself — she soared onto the stage on a flying lift, opening with fan favorites "Holssi" and "Jam Jam."

"Welcome to the final encore of IU's first world tour in 2024," she said, briefly addressing the ecstatic crowd before transitioning into hits like "Ah Puh," "Bbi Bbi," and "Obliviate," energizing the stadium.

The concert's visual spectacle was a special highlight, with drones and fireworks illuminating the night sky. Accompanying the stage effects were IU's performances of hits "Celebrity" and "Blueming," which drew loud sing-alongs from the crowd.

In a special moment, IU also debuted a new track, "Bye Summer," reflecting on the months spent touring.

"This tour felt like the longest summer of my life," she said. "Most of the cities were scorching hot. I don't usually like summer, but this one wasn't too bad. I didn't expect to say goodbye to summer here in Sangam-dong, but with the cool evening breeze, I'm glad we could enjoy the night together."

The energy intensified as the concert reached its climax. Explosive fireworks accompanied songs like "Shopper," "Secret" and her beloved 2011 hit "You and I."

Ending the main set with the emotional ballad, "Love Wins All," IU left the audience with a heartfelt message. "Even in moments of anger, I hope love always prevails. I hope you all find victory in each day, and may we meet again with smiles."

The encore that followed was equally rich, featuring performances of "Shh..," "Twenty-three," "Strawberry Moon," "Autumn Morning" and "Unlucky."

Toward the end of the night, IU surprised fans by revealing that this concert marked a milestone — her 100th solo show.

"I just learned today that this is my 100th solo concert. It doesn't seem real," she said, expressing gratitude to the fans who kept track. "As an artist, every concert is important, but it's extra special that a fan counted them all. Even my mom didn't do that."

IU ended with a heartfelt promise. "I don't know how many more hundreds of shows I'll do before my career ends, but I'll keep going as long as I can. To the fan who counted, please keep counting. Thank you all for making this milestone so meaningful."