Known as the 'rich male friend', IU has dominated both acting and YouTube, establishing herself as 'the woman who has it all.'
Recently, IU revealed an unboxing video celebrating the achievement of 10 million subscribers on her YouTube channel 'IU Official'. Opening the box herself, she noted, "It’s extremely heavy. It says 'IU Official' on it. It’s so beautiful."
However, at the end of the video, the real point emerged. "I thought the diamond button was the end, but I've heard there’s something called a ruby button. The new goal is now 50 million," IU said calmly, but fans interpreted this statement as a declaration of her next challenge for the ruby button.
It makes sense. Recently, through the Netflix original series When Life Gives You Tangerines, IU made a powerful return to global audiences. She portrayed both the teenage youth and a mother in her 30s, even a middle-aged daughter, elegantly drawing out the emotional line of the drama. Especially in the first act, her narrative of 'love and separation' with Park Bo-gum sparked a passionate response from fans worldwide.
The drama topped the charts as the number one non-English series on Netflix globally, surpassed 60 million cumulative views, and set a record for the highest global ranking at number three, proving its box office success, while IU's acting received widespread acclaim.
Moreover, following the music video with V and with a music video featuring Cha Eun-woo on the way, her ties with them have become a hot topic among fans. All three are too perfect a combination to be simply regarded as 'male friends.' At the center is IU.
Her personal life is also consistently in the spotlight. IU has been in a public relationship with actor Lee Jong-suk since 2022, and up until recently, they showcased their affection, not only attending concerts together but also donating to wildfire relief efforts side by side. There were rumors of a breakup following sightings of them together with V, but both have dismissed the rumors by mentioning each other.
A musician, actor, YouTuber, and possessing human charm, IU has it all. The diamond button certifies her present, while the ruby button indicates another direction she is heading toward.
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