Soloist: IU Reaction pt2 - above the time, Blueming, Celebrity, LILAC, & strawberry moon MVs

[@marieyuzon5054]

That's okay, her music videos are always metaphoric. You have to watch them more than once to somehow understand them. Her lyrics may seem like it doesn't connect to the MV, but once you fully understand the whole meaning of the song, you'll realize that everything is connected. Uaenas (her fans) are mostly the first ones who fully grasp her MVs and lyrics than those who casually listen to IU.

[@MC_Rohr]

A sequel 8 years later... amazing, right? includes same actor. The musical instruments guy on Good Day was also the train conductor on Lilac ten years later. These are not accidents. IU loves story telling, numbers and stories of fate... BTW, you can't stop. Her B sides are phenomenol and you can find at least 25 collabs online and some of the best songs you'll ever find with less than a few million views.

[@marinoconnor8592]

You think her vocals are emotional in Above the Time? Wait till you hit Love Poem, Dear Name, and Through the Night. (And yes, she has written the bulk of her songs since she turned 20 or so.) As for You & I, Above the Time, and Blueming... yes, they are connected. Another series of connections across her videos are her Age Series, which include Twenty-Three, Palette, and Eight, in which she's exploring her experience growing up.

[@RDJSR1]

I share your delight witnessing people who experience IU for the first time

[@TitusLeung]

I guess me in your last video, as well @marinoconnor8592 above has mentioned You & I, Above the Time, and Blueming belong to a series, and need to be understood by putting them all together, so I don't get into detail (Just drop a hint: Blue roses drew on his hand in Above the Time, as well she received in the mailbox in Blueming--means impossible love, because naturally it is impossible to grow one). Actually the Age Series (Twenty-three/23, Palette/25, Eight/28, and in fact Lilac/29, the number attached with the song is when the songs were written in terms of her age) is also a record of her being grown up. You can see her fructration about sexism in k-pop during her 23 years old, she is starting to realize her womanhood when she was 25, she feels lost and fustrated have to be alone (3 of her closest friends committed suicide during that time) in 28, and she is saying goodbye to her 20's and embracing her 30's in Lilac. You can also consider her My Sea (B-side with Lilac) as a unofficial-canon of the Age Series. It may not be written due to her age, but kind of like a grow up song of her as well (The song is intentionally 5 minute and 16 second long, her birthday is May 16). Her songs sometimes also touches things about life and death as well (Eight, as well The Station and Happy Ending), the latter 2 is also attached with the K-dramas she is in (My Mister and Hotel del Luna, respectively). Some songs also touch social issues (Twenty-three on K-pop's sex sale and sex worshipping, and her newest Love Wins All of acceptance and discrimination--The song was originally called "Love Wins" until receiving complaints from LGBTQ+ community, the statement about the name change did mention she respected all forms and kinds of love relationship). Her songs has tonnes of symbols, word plays and analogies (especially those written by herself, which is basically any songs after her full album Modern Time), and suggest you to do some research to go further on her song, if your understanding of Korean language is not good enough (like me).

[@slaernaa]

Crazy that not more people recommend eight, through the night, palette or dear name…those songs are absolute musts for IU especially lyrics-wise

[@Cam-oh4pu]

my faves too! especially pallete and dear name

[@suyeon-m3g]

Her songs can be heard in the age series. 23:twenty-three 25:palette 28:Eight! My sea:The difference between the first and the present thoughts in my 20s Lilac: A song that sends 20s and welcomes 30s

[@sanmingyeh5253]

My Sea is a must.Yes she writes most of her song. She won the lyricist of the year of 2017.

[@roguereacts]

I will say My Sea is on the list 🥰

[@arjo5513]

Note how Part 1 mostly covers songs from her first five years, while Part 2 are all songs from the last five years. Her career is 15-16 years long, so there's about 5 years of untouched territory in the middle there.

[@michaelfoley5295]

You are doing a great job of connecting the dots. One hint about IU's MV's. They are rarely ever about what they appear to be about at first glance. Celebrity is a perfect example. She wrote this song about and for people who feel awkward and different. She is asking them if they can't see how truely beautiful a uniqueness can be. She uses a star drawn with the lefthand. And that the person to whom she is singing to or about is her (IU's) Celebrity. Lilac is about her passing through her 20's and entering her 30's. Each train car represents a certain phase of her 20's. It starts at her boarding the train and appearing awkward and unsure. The fight science is about her fighting for what she wants to do in terms of music. The party car shows her enjoying the ride. The animation scene shows her seeing the real world, taking off the tose colored glasses. See disembarks and the train of herc20's waves goodbye. Did you notice that the conductor was the same guy from Good Day? Then she waits for the train of her 30's. And her smile at the camera is her saying you haven't seen anything yet. Strawberry Moon. At her Golden Hour concert at the Olympic Stadium in September of 2022, she actually rode in an hot air balloon when she sang this song. In part because the one thing she didn't like about performing at the Olympic Stadium is that she was so far away from her fans in the upper deck. The hot air balloon was away to get closer to those fans. Below I have gone ahead and provided linking to some of her most iconic live performances (they will not get blocked). Because some of these songs need a little additional background in order to understand what the song is about I have included a little background. And yes there are several explanation videos out there. For Eight the DKDKTV is pretty good although they miss a significant part of the message. They also have one for You & I, Above the Time and Blueming. They do not include Strawberry Moon, which was not released when they did their video. The best explanation video for BBIBBI is one by TOR1SE. She has an acting background and really understands the use of color and staging a scene that is very important and interesting for that MV. Love Poem Live Clip Eng sub kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJ3XnWd7oNigZ68 Background - This song is the most covered song of IU's. It is about understanding that when a love one is hurting you can't fix things for them. But what you can do is simply be there and comfort them until as IU says in her lyrics they come through their especially long dark night. This songs brings more tears to peoples eyes that don't even know what the song is about, such is the power of IU's voice and talent. Blueming 2019 Love Poem Concert kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZDRqXyHibKSeJI 1st song IU recieved solo writing credit for as a 17 year old. Written for a kdrama The Greatest Love in 2011. Reached top 10 in the charts. When this clip of her performance at her 2019 Love Poem concert the song shot back into the top 10 on the charts. Hold My Hand 2019 Love Poem concert Eng sub kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaiyp2tvlquCqsU Eight MV Eng sub kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2bYh4h-gdSHndk Background - During the fall of 2019 as she was getting ready to start her Love Poem concert tour one of her very best friends, Sulli, took her own life. IU had been friends with Sulli for eight years and Sulli and IU had just finish filming the kdrama Hotel Del Luna, which IU was the female lead. About 30 days later another friend Goo Hara took her life. News of this reached IU during her concert in Seoul and she had a difficult time finishing her concert, this is the only concert where she didn't perform an Encore (her encores are amazing in themselves as they can last 2 hours). In true IU fashion as she talked to her fans she expressed concern for then and ask then to take care of each other. This brough to 3 the number of friends who had taken their own lives. The 1st was a very close male friend Jonghyun of Shinee. This song she wrote in early 2020 is about her struggle in dealing with these deaths, from her saddness, loneliness and anger, to the point she declares she doesn't want to love anyone again. The MV for the song helps IU resolve these issues, as a 2d animated Sulli and Jonghyun as his alter ego, a dragon, here IU's pain and set about to try and correct what is always an unintended consequence of suicide. My Sea - 2022 Golden Hour Concert A coming of age story about her coming to terms with herself. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ-UoZWump2Vd6s The most iconic performance in the history of Korean award shows. Dear Name & Through the Night - 2017 MMA awards show Eng Sub titles (iconic performance) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpDMfX1jrqmUnqssi=2Ykqff15yqdiLTzm Background - Dear Name is a song about not forgetting the people in you life. At a concert in Hong Kong her staff, unknown to IU, distributed placards to the fans so they could write their names on it and hold it during the song. IU was taken by this act that she also couldn't finish the song. From that point on it became a thing, and at this Awards show performance she takes it to another level including having 4 singers who aren't famous yet share the stage with her, at least one is one of her backup singers. Back to Jazz & R&B The Vistor 2019 Love Poem Concert Seoul kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIu7mptsnKqEm9k Blackout & Last Nights Story 2018 concert kzbin.info/www/bejne/p32uhZ-Jicl9a7c Background - IU again has combined songs written at different times into a single story. Blackout is about, well having too much fun at party and blacking out. Last Night Story is about the resulting hangover. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p32uhZ-Jicl9a7c Part2 of Through the Night With a Determined Heart to Forget You concert performance Background - This song is a cover of the song that was written and performed by a famous Folk singer in Korea who died the same year IU was born (I think). It is a beautiful song. IU considersvthis song to be part 2 of the story started with Through the Night kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHS3mYWKbbaDf6M IU Documentary Background - There are several unofficial IU documentaries on KZbin. This is one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHKthoGgr9eWhZY Golden Hour behind the scenes part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKLYiK1-drRjiZI Golden Hour behind the scenes Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqSsq42XqKyHrKs

[@Brett-ca2ma]

Thanks for sharing

[@excll808]

I feel like Eight is a must watch as well. Idk if you're also planning to watch some of her concert clips. Her live vocals are even more mesmerizing. Edit: also forgot to mention she's an excellent actress. My Mister and Hotel Del Luna are so good. Lilac is about her getting older and looking back at her youth. She wrote it as a way to welcome her 30s

[@richard6025]

Maybe she should watch eight live concert golden hour both versions are amazing

[@chriscunningham1985]

RE: Above the Time, IU loves joining in stories within her music like this. If you really want to dig into it, there's loads of videos doing real deep dives into the lore she's made ;)

[@TTTT-jo9jd]

I think you are so smart to connect You & I, above the time and Blueming. Actually these three are indeed connected 😂

[@roguereacts]

I wasn't 100% sure about Blueming being connected or not! Glad my detective skills were on point in this one lol 😊

[@Jneedstostopobssessing]

I'm watching this and thinking "why is [insert long list] not on this list?" Lilac is about saying goodbye to the past and facing her 30s, so it is full of references to past songs and the hardships she had faced. There is a reason she is one of only 3 female idols that is a full member of KOMCA (the others are Boa and, from this year, Soyeon)

[@derrickng1998]

shes one of those artist where you def have to check out on her live performaces as studio versions dont do her justice with her emotive yet powerful vocals. Def check out live stages of hold my hand, blueming, love poem, my sea and eight which are all available on her channel. And yes, all the songs in the video are written by her as we her last 5 albums being completely written by her other than dear name which she cowrote with lyricist kim eana. Dear name are also one of those must heard bside songs.

[@mrhs-oe4mu]

Lilac MV in the train is her journey when her debut (first scenes in train when her copying peoples little dance) ,her 20s (fighting scene and party scene). Lilac album is telling us about the end for her 20s. And new start for her 30s. Lilac release when her in 29 (korean age)

[@namuinthesky]

Above the Time is a continuation of You and I

[@dearnameiu929]

Please react to her live DEAR NAME, EIGHT,MY SEA and LOVE POEM

[@rexpalparan8765]

LILAC is where IU starts her 30's and goodbye to her 20's in the MV it was telling that she will change her gendre from that and also she end singing and have a goodbye to "Good Day" also she have a problem with health I think in her ear

[@Ro-st7hs]

You are not overthinking anything!! You and I, Above the Time, and Blueming are all connected :). And in that order. There is a really good video that breaks down how they are connected, it's called "IU UNIVERSE Explained by a Korean [above the time, Blueming, You & I]"

[@anchelliesilvestre0614]

Above the time and You and I are connected. If you noticed that there’s like a date 123119 on You and I and that’s the date when Above the time was released. It’s like a ten years gap story on her MVs. I think blueming is not connected to other MVs. But the blue things symbolizes the sent message on iphone. So they are like exchanging messages and got to meet in person at the end.

[@jaymeered7063]

You mentioned her mv looking like palette because of different colors and themes and she actually have a song called palette haha (same name of the entire album + her KZbin show is also called IU's Palette). Soooo props to you for accidentally figuring that out ;) You&I, Above the Time and Blueming are apparently connected. Check out video by DKDKTV explaining the connection. Blueming is btw about romance via texting/chatting. Lilac was her farewell to her 20s and the Train represents her journey from when she started in the industry to her 29 years old. Enjoyed the reaction, new subs here 😊

[@Chiacchi86]

I like your reaction especially because you are really into the details, that is actually one of the reasons I stan IU 🤩

[@rubyesx]

to understand her songs, you must read the lyric, not just watch the story , She is a writer, composer, producer, and actress..

[@underthegardenwall]

Dude with the random instrument is a famous musiciana and personality in Korea. He did show up in IU's MV Good Day. :)

[@travis3810]

the live footage of her performing strawberry moon during her golden hour concert is A MUST!!!

[@t1psy406]

Yes Above the time and you and i are connected Blueming is about the beginning stages of a relationship/flirting through txts, blue as in when you txt from iphone to iphone the messages appear in blue Celebrity was written for a friend that she found was "beautiful"/celebrity qualities but didnt realise it herself(the friend) Lilac the music video was kind of symbolic of her journey through the entertainment industry. When she first hopped on the train she didnt know the dance everyone was doing, then got beaten up a rattled but fought her way through etc... then getting on to the next train at the end for her next adventure as she was stepping into the 30's

[@rodolfosoto2960]

The emotion IU puts is healing to me, I cry all the time I watch or just hear Love Poem, dear name, my sea, through the night even Eight (when you pay attention to the lyrics). But, after crying I always feel better . In the end she is not just a singer, she's a poet, she has also ugly duckling, lullaby, knees. Other song that have a similar effect is raindrop (though not composed by her). the 3 songs are connected, you can watch this kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJDZeHiQh9V7fpY to get the whole story.

[@sakura_sake7459]

I this there was this "IU universe" video explaining how some of her songs connects to each other.

[@midnightxgem6147]

I've never really been into IU's music because it doesn't really speak to me personally BUT I LOOOOOOVE Lilac. That one got added to my playlist when it came out. All that said though, I can still say she is extremely talented and has an amazing voice. I read many articles about how she does the most for her fans for her concerts and I can see why she is so loved.

[@riya_gaushal]

Thanks for the reaction ❤ more IU reaction 💜

[@kygelkimtomarong3311]

Yes, a lot of her songs are written by herand even her upcoming album is solely written by her

[@littlesorilog]

Wow yes! You and I & above the time & blueming are connected ❤

[@roguereacts]

My brain was full on investigation mode HAHA

[@Brett-ca2ma]

Enjoyed your reaction (suspect you are from Boston area, and so am I btw)... you mentioned liking EDM. If so, you really need to check out this song composed / performed by IU and the guy known for EDM in Korea at their Infinity Challenge show several years ago. The performance is pretty great, and the behind-the-scenes with these two is hilarious. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGWmhJiwp9WpsJYsi=N904qGaocERp7-1z kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5CueWqKrJ5qfrcsi=hybT8J3NSzIAnefW Another 'deep cut' but pretty amazing song (live performance especially) is Sogyeukdong. Has an 80s retro feel. MV is another story driven piece that tells a pretty somber story from Korean history. Definitely worth checking out. In terms of other songs you'd likely enjoy from her with more of the vibe like others you seemed to like... - Palette (she composed and wrote lyrics), 23 (you'll figure out the message behind it), and eight (produced by Suga from BTS). These are all parts of her age series... For 8, in particular, you really need to also watch an explanation video for the MV as it's very deep...and pretty devastating. IU is simply the best. Other songs that anyone diving into her music really needs to check out include Through The Night, Dear Name, Knees, Love Poem and just too many others... You'll also surely like Jam Jam based on the vibe you like.

[@Brett-ca2ma]

And for something else completely different - check out her ‘Into the I-land’ song and her song ‘Secret’ She just doesn’t stick with any particular genre… Always exploring new things

[@kpppuser516]

Celebrity：love yourself You may be the star drawn by your left hand Imperfect but unique you are my Celebrity The one and only

[@mikeduplessis8069]

A recent development in IU's personal life brings clarity You and I, Above The Time, and Bleuming. The first mv involves a girl too young to date so she tries to speed up time but they separate. The second involves a couple in different worlds, she's trapped in the music world. In the end they reunite via the written word (paper ladder). The third mv is a text-only relationship that blossoms as the couple decides to finally meet. IU is now dating a famous actor. They first worked together when they were young but their jobs kept them apart. They eventually got back into contact, corresponded, then (secretly) decided to start dating. That sounds suspiciously like the story in the three MVs.

[@mkoose]

Very nice, you got sucked in quite a bit. And now you see signs everywhere ;-) We all have been there, very funny. Thanks for letting me remember my first steps in IUs kingdom.

[@roguereacts]

Fully sucked in 🤣 🥰 Glad you are enjoying this little journey of mine!

[@quiamjotalma8319]

Maybe you can react some of those MVs explanation to understand the meaning behind of her MVs it's actually amazing how she come up with such ideas but knowing it's IU no more questions that girl is very talented as they said you can't spell genIUs without IU 😊

[@ccusto1914]

Hope you get to check out her live clips soon! Her live vocals are an even more impressive and a whole different experience. Even better than the recorded versions. I would recommend live clips of Love Poem and My Sea.

[@defrankbeuckelaer]

Thank you 💜💜💜

[@roguereacts]

no thank you for watching! 🥰

[@sakura_sake7459]

IU favorite game for Uaenas: connect the dots😂

[@roguereacts]

TRULY lol I love the game 😂🥰

[@nidalelhag9914]

god i wish you could listen to more of her title tracks it feels like you are missing out on so much of her sound still

[@melissalawson4178]

I absolutely love watching your videos. I found you because of your first look in to Twice and have been watching you ever since. Keep up the good work!!

[@roguereacts]

🥰🥰 awww thank you so much! I'm really glad you are enjoying them! 💙💙

[@Ryo0reo]

Lilac is describe her career path in 20s (she is a soloist and fight for career path. Fun, happiness and painful sometimes.) and she say good bye all memories and ready to begin her 30s (Love wins all, The Winning era.)

[@kpppuser516]

Blueming if you use iphone Your outgoing messages will be blue The messages you receive will be gray Earthquakes represent vibrations on mobile phones

[@thinkingpotatooo]

There are some good theories and explanation for some of her MVs. You should check out DKDKTV's IU Universe Explained. I watched that when I was just starting to know her and that opened the IU rabbit hole for me. The world building is mindblowing. After that I came to two conclusions - that she's a genius and that hardly anything is ever a coincidence when it comes to her art, every little thing is intentional.

[@Guthwulf11]

Is "Eight" (one of her most successful and important / meaningful songs) still coming? If not, I would advise to add it and combine it with the video "IU - eight (Prod.&Feat. SUGA of BTS) Explained by a Korean" before going into her live performances (assuming her Eight performance from Golden Hour concert will be there). It will hit differently and add alot of very important context (for KPop as a whole). Another must watch performances would be "Blueming" from her 2019 Love Poem Concert. For Golden Hour as well as her newest MV great Behind The Scenes Episodes are available. Might be worth to combine at least the MV BTS with "Love Wins All" when you watch it.

[@yomiggomi2923]

K-pop recommendations before and after 2009 seem to be good. It's good before or after though^^

[@josephlim4233]

Official videps related to this reaction. [IU] '시간의 바깥 (above the time)' Live Clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXLFhmecdtadkM0si=1uzX2PzVuIlXixoD [IU] 'Blueming' Fanchants Guide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHbGfHeniZmonrMsi=7oPLhOUuWG2WC1-f [IU] Blueming Live Clip (2019 IU Tour Concert 'Love, poem'): kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZDRqXyHibKSeJIsi=3pbJIP_J_M5YtxL2 [MMA 2021] IU - strawberry moon + Celebrity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKG3ooawopl9hc0si=75Ukaf9Uoy56rkP7 [IU] '라일락(LILAC)' DANCE PRACTICE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoS0gKCtlpdomtksi=5TEPUjINITzph_S3 [MMA 2021] IU - Lilac: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKetln2Jp8ybhassi=yeKWSAHGzfxyA734

[@michaelfoley5295]

If this is all you are doing then I am personally disappointed. Her MV's are great and do tell a deeper meaning of the story provided you know the background. For example her MV Eight is actually about her struggle in dealing with the deaths of 3 close friends by suicide. The three friends are all represented in the video, and that part of the story is about her friends hearing IU's pain try to correct that unintended consequence of suicide. Which is one of the messages of the MV, showing that while they have stopped their pain they in fact simply transferred it to people they love. And she really shines in her live performances, which I thought you mentioned in the 1st video that you also reacted to live performances. If there is one person in the entire Kpop world that needs to be seem in a live performance it is IU. Not only do her vocals match or exceed the quality of the recording but she always uses a live band, who are outstanding in their own right. But anything that brings IU to the attention of more people is a good thing, so thank you for that.

[@lilly1437]

Hi please Do another playlist for IU as she has many more songs that are worth listening

[@roguereacts]

we have a whole b-side playlist coming up and some lives!

[@uvmwgzkv]

IU - Celebrity (2021) 이상은 Lee SangEun - Something in the Air (2010) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4TdZ4J7odCtfposi=sJWVPMWPn-PS5cZs Plagiarism

[@LuisTren7]

above the line and love always win are some my fav

[@9talefox]

Love Poem, Eight and now Love Wins All...sheer poetry, you have to have translations!

[@theark7728]

Welcome to IUniverse

[@theark7728]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJzIiZZ8mqxrZposi=yNmfHMiSSi18isSC

[@yomiggomi2923]

Do you only review K-pop? I saw it for the first time today, and since I subscribed, I also recommend the K-drama. I'm not an IU fan, but I enjoyed watching Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Hotel Del Luna. I'm Korean and I'm not good at English, so I translated it. Please understand. And even though I'm a little older, I'll also recommend some K-pop you don't know^^

[@catherinevicente2675]

❤❤❤

[@김민준-i1p6t]

Plz react Kim dong ryul & iu - fairy tale

[@anakarolynarodrigues3389]

Please react IU Throgh The night and dear name live mma 2017

[@wisnuslullaby1590]

are my comment before deleted? :( anyway, thank you very much

[@roguereacts]

😔 yt sometimes does that and I don't know why! Thank you for watching 🥰

[@yomiggomi2923]

번역이 맞는지 모르겠지만^^

[@turkankaratas5197]

❤❤❤❤