Who Is IU (singer)? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on May 16, 1993, IU (real name Lee Ji-eun) will be 32 years old in 2025. She debuted as a singer at the young age of 15 and quickly rose to fame in South Korea with her distinctive voice and songwriting abilities. Since then, she has made a significant mark not only in the music industry but also in acting, earning numerous awards and recognition for her performances. IU has been an influential figure in the South Korean entertainment industry and has a wide fan base internationally.
| Occupation | Voice Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 16, 1993 |
| Age | 32 Years |
| Birth Place | Seoul, South Korea |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | South Korea |
Popularity
IU (singer)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
In 2025, IU stands at an impressive height of about 162 cm (5 ft 4 in). Her weight is maintained at approximately 47 kg (104 lbs), aligning with her healthy lifestyle and rigorous performance schedule. Her body measurements are often cited as 33-25-34 inches (84-64-86 cm), showcasing her slender and fit physique, which she maintains through regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
IU has often kept her personal life private. However, as of 2025, she is rumored to be dating actor Lee Jong-suk, with whom she has been linked since their collaboration on a popular drama series in 2023. The couple has been seen together at various public events and is considered one of South Korea's biggest power couples. While IU has always been close to her family, she often attributes her success to her strong support system, including her parents and younger brother.
At an early age, IU showed interest in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry and began attending acting classes. Following her elementary school years, her family's financial situation deteriorated, and they eventually moved to the nearby Uijeongbu, in Gyeonggi Province.
She and her younger brother lived apart from their parents in a studio room with their grandmother and cousin for over one year in conditions of great poverty. IU had little contact with her parents over this period of time, but felt reassured under her grandmother's care.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, IU's estimated net worth is around $30 million. Her wealth comes from her extensive career in music, including album sales, concert tours, and endorsements. Additionally, her acting roles in popular dramas and films have significantly contributed to her financial success. With her savvy investments in various businesses and real estate, IU continues to see her net worth grow.
In 2015, two years after her last acting role, IU starred alongside Kim Soo-hyun, Cha Tae-hyun, and Gong Hyo-jin in The Producers, which was named as one of the most anticipated TV series of the year in South Korea. She played Cindy, a diva-like singer who decides to participate in a variety show to improve her public image.
Analysing her character's perceived icy demeanor, IU commented that she could relate to her character's "biting attitude" and how similar her character was to herself.
The series and IU's portrayal of Cindy were met with lukewarm reviews at the premier but both the viewership and critical response improved over the course of the series, peaking at 17.7% viewership for the last episode.
She performed two songs in character, "Twenty Three" and "Heart", both of which were later included as bonus tracks on her 2015 album, Chat-Shire. While she wrote the lyrics for both songs, she also composed the music for "Heart", which was released as a digital single on May 18.
"Heart" topped the charts upon its release and went on to become the tenth best-selling digital single of 2015 in South Korea.
"Heart" was among a slew of K-pop songs used by South Korea's Defense Ministry in its propaganda broadcasts to North Korea during the two countries' tense standoff in August 2015, with the aim of advertising the "South Korean youth culture".
Through The Producers, IU's popularity in China soared—reportedly receiving offers for several projects from Chinese companies.
Career, Business, and Investments
IU's career has flourished since her debut. She has released multiple chart-topping albums and hit songs like "Good Day," "Palette," and "Celebrity." Her contributions to the music industry have been recognized with numerous awards, including multiple Melon Music Awards and Golden Disc Awards.
In addition to her music career, IU has ventured into acting, starring in critically acclaimed dramas such as "Hotel Del Luna," "My Mister," and "Dream High." She is also involved in several business ventures, including a successful clothing line and various endorsement deals with brands in cosmetics and lifestyle products.
Aside from her music career, IU has ventured into acting and hosting radio and television shows, starting with a supporting role in the hit teen series Dream High (2011). IU's roles in My Mister (2018) and When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) received critical acclaim, and she earned her first Best Actress in Television nomination at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards for the former.
Social Networks
IU is very active on social media, where she shares glimpses of her personal life and professional projects with her fans. She has millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where she engages with her audience through candid posts and updates about her music and acting careers. Her strong online presence allows her to connect with fans worldwide and maintain her popularity.
Her burgeoning career led to her decreased attendance at school and declining grades, with the exception of Korean literature. After graduating from Dongduk Girls' High School in 2012, IU decided not to pursue post-secondary education in tandem with her singing career.
Education
IU attended Dongduk Women's University, where she majored in Broadcasting and Entertainment. Despite her busy schedule, she has always emphasized the importance of education and continues to inspire her fans to pursue their dreams. Her drive for knowledge is evident in her music, which often reflects her personal growth and experiences.
During her middle school years, IU found her passion for singing and decided to become a singer after being applauded for a performance she gave at her school's sports competition. She attended 20 auditions but failed to succeed in any of them, and was also scammed by fake entertainment companies.
She later trained at Good Entertainment with Uee, Yubin, Heo Ga-yoon, and Jun Hyo-seong. After signing with LOEN Entertainment in 2007, she moved to Bangbae, Seoul. Due to her poor living conditions at the time, IU stated that she "loved being at the studio", where she could eat as much as she wanted and had a place to sleep.
