IU. Image: Edam Entertainment via The Korea Herald
Singer-songwriter and actress IU took part in the production of her sixth EP, “The Winning,” to be released on Feb. 20, according to Edam Entertainment.
IU is recognized as a talented music producer, having participated in album production since her fourth EP “Chat-shire” in 2015.
The upcoming extended play will be led by two title tracks — “Shopper” and “Spore.”
Composer John Lee who has previously worked with IU on her hit tracks “Leon,” “Twenty-three” and “Bbibbi” took part in composing both lead tracks.
IU’s sixth EP also carries three B-side tracks including “Shh…” featuring Hyein of NewJeans and Joe Won-sun of Rollercoaster, “I stan U,” and “Love Wins All” which was pre-released on Jan. 24.
The track “Shh…” also has a special narration by an as of yet undisclosed figure.
IU participated in composing both lead tracks and wrote all the lyrics on her new album.
The artist had hinted when she appeared on Suga of BTS’ show, “Suchwita,” that her mini album is likely to carry five to six tracks that she will continue to infuse with stories about her age. She is 31.
Her pre-release single “Love Wins All” shot to No. 1 on major local music charts including Melon, Genie, and Bugs, within just an hour of its release, which is the fastest a female artist has done so since August 2021.
IU is also set to embark on her first world tour, “IU H.E.R. World Tour Concert,” this year.
The tour kicks off with four shows at the KSPO Dome in Seoul on March 2-3 and March 9-10.