EDAM Entertainment
There are a handful of K-Drama actors who project the term "quality over quantity" and IU is one of them. Looking at her impressive filmography, we might have to give kudos to her and her team because they know just how to pick the right scripts that project her versatile skills as an actor. While there are many actors who can seamlessly play any kind of role, with the dramas IU has acted in so far, we cannot imagine any other actor playing the roles she's played. It is almost like the characters were tailored and made for her. Her embodiment of the character makes fans readily associate her image and persona with them, even while referencing the dramas years after it has ended.
Today, with her filmography as vivid proof, IU continues to redefine the term versatility, showing a true actor has the flair and dexterity to deliver an impactful performance across a variety of genres and leave a lasting impression on their viewers.
In this acting-dol of the week article, we will be giving a dive into IU's acting career, talking about some of her famous works and characters and also the kinds of roles we would love to see her play in the future.
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A debut with an instant impact
Like many acting-dols, IU first came into the spotlight through her music career. She made her debut in 2008 and steadily garnered the attention of global music fans. By 2010, her name and presence were duly felt in the industry, earning the title of the "Nation's little sister", thanks to her soothing vocals, pretty visuals, and lovely charms.
By 2011, she will take her rising popularity into acting by starring in the hit drama series "Dream High". IU played the role of Kim PilSook, a character that became an instant favorite amongst viewers. She was a doe-eyed teenager who like the rest of the cast sought to explore their love for music. With her innocent and naive persona, she displayed various moments where many wanted to root for her, open her eyes wide to see and accept the realities of life, and even protect her from the negatives of this world.
As for IU, this character duly served as the right fit for her. At that time, she had been dubbed as the "Nation's little sister" by the public, and no character deserved that tag more than Kim PilSook. While her acting was clearly rookie-like, (which was quite understandable) there are still various moments with her expressions that made you say "Oh! That's good!".
KBS
After following her debut work with two guest roles in the dramas "Salamander Guru and the Gang" and "Dream High 2", her next main role came with the weekend drama "You Are The Best" starring alongside famous actor Cho JungSeok. In the drama, she plays the role of Lee SoonShin, a girl from a seemingly rich family who begins to face hardships after her father's death. As her story progresses, we see her road to living a normal life is not as rosy as she would have thought and there were certain times in her story, when it felt like she gave up. However, with a great character development arc that is captured from the start to finish of the drama, Lee SoonShin became awe-inspiring.
IU's delivery in this role was truly deserving of the tag "incredible", especially considering this was her 2nd main role since her official debut with "Dream High". In comparison with the dramas, there was a significant and noticeable growth in her acting that would no doubt garner a nod of respect from those who followed her career since "Dream High".
Her lines were delivered with more clarity, her expressions were more intoned with the moments, and every emotion, from sadness to vulnerability, anger, happiness, and love was duly conveyed and felt by viewers. Watching the episodes of this drama, it is quite hard to believe that she was still relatively new in the acting industry, as she delivered a performance with a level that was clearly well beyond her years, setting her up as a rising star we should all keep a keen eye on.
A breakthrough role with "The Producers"
KBS
While IU had already gained both commercial and critical acclaim by 2015 in music, and in acting, her proper breakthrough may have come with the role of Cindy in the drama "The Producers". She started off as a character known for being an ice princess, never showing much emotions and duly feared by everyone around her. She is portrayed as being difficult to work with.
However, in the course of the series, she changes the perception of the viewer by showing off her vulnerability and letting her walls down as she once again let love and trust into her heart. Her storyline was one many may have disliked at first but eventually came to love thanks to her character arc.
Her character might have caused mixed feelings among viewers, but for IU, her acting was simply impeccable and noteworthy. We would be right in saying this was her first role as a stern character and she was completely convincing in the role.
Her chemistry with her costars or love interest has always been one of her strongest strengths. First with 2PM's WooYoung, Cho JungSeok, and now Kim SooHyun. There is a lovely chemistry that makes everyone root for their love story, right from their first few interactions in the drama.
2016: The magnificent shift from breakthrough star to global icon
SBS
2016 saw IU become a true force in the acting industry thanks to her stellar performance in the hit drama series "Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo". A drama that till this day many still revere and refer to as one of the best historical dramas in the K-Dramaverse, the drama no doubt left a deep and lasting impression on the minds of viewers. An effect that in many ways, is due to IU's performance.
Its gripping storyline left no eyes blinking for the whole of its duration as many didn't want to miss a moment of the series. In our opinion, this drama was a telling point for IU, and her ability to deliver in a dynamic role. While we are majorly used to her characters being cute or the popular girl, the character of HaeSoo was completely different from the roles she's played in the past. And her transformation within the drama (her two roles as Go HaJin and HaeSoo) was duly impressive as well.
With a cast line mostly dominated by more experienced actors, we believe IU duly held her own and delivered a noteworthy performance that was on par with them. Her expressions and dialogue served as one of the most appealing points of the drama, even in gut-wrenching emotional moments, her ability to portray the emotions of HaeSoo with so much clarity and power was comendable to say the least.
tvN
Her next drama "My Mister" drew a bit of conflict amongst viewers most especially because of the assumed romance her character (who was in her 20s) would have with her male lead (who was in his 40s). This was a major issue for the drama as many made complaints to the production team.
However, it was revealed that, as the series would progress, the dynamic between the two characters wasn't necessarily a romantic one, rather it could be seen as 2 individuals relying on each other as they found healing.
The story of JiAn was one that was received with mixed feelings by many critics. While some were in admiration of her strength, as despite her mitigating circumstances, she strived for a better life, others found it almost distasteful that it was overflowed with violence and abuse and over-glamorized the savior complex of a middle-aged man, who was deemed as the escape and hero of a young woman in trouble.
However, its mixed reactions had no effect on the drama's success and its overall response from the public. It is still a favorite slice-of-life drama that many watch till date. IU once again delivers an amazing performance in this darker role. Her character was complex, to say the least. Ordinarily, if not for her delivery, many may have been lost in the reasoning behind JiAn's actions and thought process. But with her acting, she was able to convey the emotions and beliefs of JiAn, an ordinarily complex character in a simple way that many could understand.
Here are some of the user reviews on the drama from IMBd.
Screenshot from IMBd
Screenshot from IMBd
By 2019, IU would make an impressive drama comeback with the mystical fantasy drama "Hotel Del Luna". Her next character had zero mixed reaction as every viewer and critic alike had much positive words about her character Jang ManWol in the drama "Hotel Del Luna".
Eccentric, bold, confident, sassy, chic, and powerful, her character was layered with various elements that many would find attractive and interesting. In its entirety, many found the storyline very refreshing and interesting especially with its use of humor and comic relief to balance out its emotional scenes.
IU delivered Jang ManWol on every aspect of the emotional spectrum and took us on a journey we gladly embarked on. From anger to justice, sadness, and love, at various key moments where Jang ManWol dug deep into her emotions, we duly felt it, and its impact carried through to the next scene and made the series wholesome.
This drama still resonates as not just one of IU's best dramas but one of the best fantasy dramas in the K-Drama universe. Fans duly praised the actors and the production teams for an impressive work of art that hit every element of what makes for an impactful and successful drama: great storyline, beautiful cinematography, amazing casting, impressive dialogues, and delivery of emotions, etc.
Check out some of the comments about the drama below.
Screenshot from IMBd
Screenshot from IMBd
Screenshot from IMBd
IU is set to make her return with the upcoming drama "You Have Done Well". This would mark her drama return for years after "Hotel Del Luna", and fans' expectations and anticipation have been duly high since the news dropped early this year.
While speaking to Harper's Bazaar, she noted she choose to work on this drama because she enjoyed watching its writer Im SangChoon's previous projects and the drama felt novel to her because it has its own unique story. She also revealed that the character she will be playing, AeSoon resembles her more than any character she has played in a drama before.
AeSoon seems like a person you can easily find around you, but if you look more closely, she is a person whose individuality as a human stands out. I seem to be attracted to that type of person
IU
Looking at her impressive filmography, like we mentioned before, IU certainly knows how to pick a script and drama with an impact and we can most certainly predict that this drama will be a hit.
Roles we would love to see her play
IU continues to prove her versatility as an actress as she has fearlessly tackled many roles in the acting spectrum and delivered with a flair that is beyond commendable. Now that she is back to acting, here are some of the roles we would love to see her play in the future.
1. A hacker or geek in an action movie/series
EDAM Entertainment
In our minds, we picture an all-female lead action-packed movie sort of like "Ocean's 8". In this proposed movie, IU could readily pass for the stylish hacker, who is great at problem-solving and always have the best gadgets. She is also the maknae in the group who gets on everyone's nerves with her unfiltered words and expressions but is duly loved by them as well.
2. A sappy office rom-com drama
EDAM Entertainment
We haven't seen IU in a proper rom-com drama yet and we believe that is the tragedy in itself. A cute and fluffy rom-com drama would be an interesting choice for IU. If we can expect anything from IU, it is having a great and heartwarming chemistry with her main leads and in a rom-com drama, this kind of chemistry has always been the main recipe for success.
3. A short GL drama or movie
EDAM Entertainment
The GL genre is slowly picking up in Korea as global fans are calling for more of this themed drama from the country. Perhaps, If IU is at the helm of a short drama or movie, the genre will get the popularity it needs and serve as a catalyst for more works as well. Playing the main lead, in a college romance or slice-of-life theme would be an interesting choice for IU who would further diversify her filmography.
Are you a fan of IU? Share with us some of your favorite dramas or characters of hers in the comments section.
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