IU returns with remake album ‘Kkot Galpi 3’ after 8-year wait
Singer IU returns with the third installment of her remake album series "Kkot Galpi 3." Courtesy of EDAM Entertainment
Singer IU is making a long-awaited comeback with her third remake album, “Kkot Galpi 3,” set for release on May 27 — her first installment in the beloved series in eight years.
The “Kkot Galpi” albums are IU’s reinterpretations of classic Korean hits, showcasing her unique voice and emotional depth.
The first album in the series, released in 2014, featured seven reimagined songs, including Sanulrim’s “Meaning of You” (feat. Kim Chang-wan), Kim Wan-sun’s “Pierrot Smiles at Us,” and Cho Duk-bae’s “My Old Story.”
The title track, “My Old Story,” topped domestic charts, and several other tracks also charted high, with “Meaning of You” becoming a long-running fan favorite despite being a B-side.
The second installment, “Kkot Galpi 2,” followed in 2017 and built on the success of its predecessor. Lead single “Sleepless Rainy Night” (originally by Kim Gun-mo) and the pre-release track “Autumn Morning” topped the charts and further established IU’s remake series as a standout brand of its own.
While many artists have taken on remakes of past hits, IU remains a rare case of turning such projects into a distinct and commercially successful series. What sets her albums apart is their faithful preservation of vintage emotion — what fans and critics describe as a refined “analog sentiment” — merged with her signature lyrical sensitivity and vocal precision.
Singer IU's third remake album includes the title track “Never Ending Story.” Courtesy of EDAM Entertainment
These reinterpretations resonate both with older listeners who remember the originals and younger fans discovering the songs for the first time.
The upcoming “Kkot Galpi 3” continues that tradition. The six-track album includes the title track “Never Ending Story,” originally by rock band Boohwal, along with “Red Sneakers,” “A Beauty” (feat. Balming Tiger) and “Dream of a Square.”
With anticipation building ahead of the May 27 release, IU’s return is already making waves in the industry. Promotions are drawing enthusiastic responses, setting the stage for a likely sweep of digital charts.
Despite heavy competition from other major artists releasing in May and June — including BTS’s Jin, RIIZE, aespa, ILLIT and KISS OF LIFE — many are watching to see if IU will once again dominate the streaming landscape with her latest reinterpretations.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.