who do you love? my favorite artist study

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Krystal Sun

favorite artist study: IU

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Bibliography

1. Wikipedia Contributors. “IU (Singer).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Aug. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IU_(singer)#:~:text=Early%20life,-IU%20was%20born&text=At%20an%20early%20age%2C%20IU,nearby%20Uijeongbu%2C%20in%20Gyeonggi%20Province. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.2. “아이유 ‘어머니 빚보증 잘못서..바퀴벌레 우글거리는 단칸방 생활.’” Archive.org, 2016, web.archive.org/web/20160127195246/news.joins.com/article/6889410. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.3. “Genius English Translations – IU - 팔레트 (Palette) (English Translation).” Genius, 2017, genius.com/Genius-english-translations-iu-palette-english-translation-lyrics. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.4. “Genius English Translations – IU - 이름에게 (Dear Name) (English Translation).” Genius, 2017, genius.com/Genius-english-translations-iu-dear-name-english-translation-lyrics. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.5. admin. “Lilac Flower Meaning - Flower Meaning.” Flower Meaning, 21 Mar. 2017, www.flowermeaning.com/lilac-flower-meaning/. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.6. “Genius English Translations – IU - 라일락 (LILAC) (English Translation).” Genius, 2021, genius.com/Genius-english-translations-iu-lilac-english-translation-lyrics. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.7. “Genius English Translations – IU - Shopper (English Translation).” Genius, 2024, genius.com/Genius-english-translations-iu-shopper-english-translation-lyrics. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.

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Biography

Born on May 16, 1993 in Seoul, KoreaAge: 31IU began pursuing her singing passion since her elementary school years by performing at school sports events and attending various auditions. Not long after, her family entered great debt so she moved in with her grandmother, delaying her singing career. Despite her hardships, IU continued to work hard and began training at LOEN Entertainment and Good Entertainment in 2007. In 2008, IU released her debut album, Lost and Found.

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Close Readings

“I’ll wait for a long time, I will definitely find you. Even if you’re so far that I can’t see you.”

“Strangely, these days I just like things that are easy; Nonetheless, I still like Corinne's music; Rather than hot pink, I prefer dark purple.”

In the closing track, "Dear Name," IU delves deeper into self-identity, expressing her ongoing search for herself through lyrics like “I will definitely find you.” The album, overall, is a reflection of IU’s personal journey toward self-acceptance and growth.

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Palette (2017)

Palette reflects her embrace of individuality, as seen in the lyrics “I prefer dark purple” and “nonetheless,” emphasizing her carefree acceptance of personal changes while still longing for her childhood innocence. In Verse 2, IU contrasts her present self with memories of simpler times, symbolized by “times I was asleep,” representing her carefree youth.

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Lilac (2021)

In her fifth studio album Lilac, IU bids farewell to her 20s and embarks on a new chapter in life. The title track symbolizes this transition, with lyrics like “Oh lilac, the day under the petals canopy goodbye, This ending matches right” (Genius, 2021). Lilacs, representing youth and innocence, signify what she is leaving behind. In the accompanying music video, IU steps onto a train, symbolizing her new environment. Initially confused, she soon embraces the energy of the dancing passengers, reflecting her adaptation to this new phase of life filled with daring experiences.During the bridge, the video shifts to an animated scene where a younger version of IU creates and stores a time capsule containing books and glasses, symbolizing her farewell to childhood and past hobbies. This moment represents her letting go of her innocence as she fully embraces the transition into adulthood. Lilac serves as a reflective and symbolic farewell to her 20s while looking ahead to new experiences.

The opening track, "Shopper," encourages fans to pursue dreams regardless of others' judgments. In the music video, IU steals a magical bat, symbolizing the bold pursuit of goals, and uses it to create a shop with unlimited goods, representing seemingly unreachable ambitions.

In "Love Wins All," IU highlights the power of relationships in overcoming hardships. The story of a disabled couple fleeing death shows how love provides strength, even in tragic circumstances. Through these tracks, IU conveys that valuing relationships are key to living a fulfilling life.

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Winning is not about wealth. It is not about fame.

The Winning (2024)

IU's music often incorporates poetic elements like metaphors, symbolism, and imagery to address real-life issues in a fantastical way, conveying complex emotions and settings. Her songs feature flowing melodies that evoke a sense of peace and security.

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Analysis of Style

Throughout her career, IU has expanded her music from pop to genres like jazz and R&B. Her lyrics have also evolved, shifting from themes of youthful innocence to exploring deeper issues like societal expectations, identity struggles, and the passage of time.

Analysis of Themes

IU's music often reflects her self-growth and nostalgia, drawing empathy from listeners as they connect with their own emotions. Through her lyrics, she shares advice like ignoring unnecessary opinions, embracing growth, adapting to change, and pursuing personal dreams.

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IU’s music offers deeper meaning, providing comfort and understanding. It has helped me focus less on others' perceptions and more on my goals and relationships. Through her, I’ve also gained an interest in Korean.

Resonance

Despite her difficult childhood and career struggles, IU’s perseverance inspires me to face my own challenges. Her authenticity in both music and public appearances makes her relatable, as we share similar struggles. I love her music style, especially in Love Wins All, where her soft voice and a subtle piano melody captivated me. The emotional bridge, with its violin buildup and key change, stands out as a favorite moment.