my timesThe Korea Times

IU earns ‘visual genius collector’ nickname with V and Cha Eun-woo in back-to-back music videos

Listen
From left, Cha Eun-woo, IU, and BTS' V / Xportsnews

From left, Cha Eun-woo, IU, and BTS' V / Xportsnews

Singer and actor IU is officially making her long-awaited musical comeback this month, and excitement is building as ASTRO’s Cha Eun-woo has been confirmed to appear in her new music video. Following BTS’ V, the addition of another top-tier “visual genius” has earned IU the nickname “visual genius collector” among fans.

On Monday, IU’s agency EDAM Entertainment told Xports News, “IU is preparing for a comeback scheduled for May, and Cha Eun-woo will be making a special cameo appearance.”

This marks IU’s first musical release in over a year since her February 2024 album “The Winning.” The prerelease track “Love wins all” instantly topped major music charts, climbing to No. 1 within an hour of release. Notably, it became the fastest song by a female artist to reach No. 1 on the Melon TOP100 since the chart’s 2021 revamp — reaffirming IU’s formidable chart power.

IU, left, and Cha Eun-woo / Courtesy of Chaumet

IU, left, and Cha Eun-woo / Courtesy of Chaumet

Her return to music comes after her success as an actress in the hit Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” which concluded last month. In the drama, IU took on dual roles as Ae-soon and Geum-myung, earning praise for her versatility and landing a nomination for Best Actress at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards held on May 5.

IU and Cha Eun-woo have worked together before — they appeared side by side in a jewelry campaign earlier this year. In the shoot, IU casually placed her arm on Cha’s shoulder, sparking a buzz among fans for their effortless chemistry.

IU, left, and BTS's V / Captured from IU's social media

IU, left, and BTS's V / Captured from IU's social media

Previously, IU collaborated with BTS’s V for the “Love wins all” music video, where the two portrayed a couple navigating pain and joy amid a starkly contrasting world. Their performance was praised for its emotional depth and cinematic portrayal. IU wore a wedding dress while V wore a tuxedo, drawing comparisons to a newlywed couple and fueling fan excitement.

V, a longtime friend of IU, made the appearance just days before entering military training — a gesture widely seen as a sign of their close bond.

This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.