7 K-drama and movie characters that showcase IU’s versatility

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a cult favourite among K-drama fans and is a huge global phenomenon. In the drama, IU played Hae-soo, a modern-day woman who travels back to the Goryeo Dynasty after a near-drowning accident. Affectionate, spunky and decidedly not of that time, she is clearly out of place. 

When she is thrust into a world of royal politics and power struggles, she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of the royal princes. And she finds she must find a way to navigate palace intrigue, heartbreaking rivalries and a tragic forbidden romance.

See more: From ‘Lovely Runner’ to ‘The Atypical Family’: How these 5 Korean dramas explore the concept of time travel

In My Mister, IU delivered a heartbreaking performance as Lee Ji-an, a young woman burdened by hardship and emotional trauma. Crippled by financial debt and the responsibility of taking care of her ailing grandmother, Ji-an is barely surviving. Meanwhile Park Dong-hun, played by Lee Sun-kyun, is dealing with marital and familial problems of his own. 

The lives of Lee Ji-an and Park Dong-hun intersect in this critically acclaimed and audience-beloved healing K-drama. And IU’s portrayal of quiet resilience and vulnerability resonated deeply with audiences, earning her much-deserved praise and cementing her reputation as a serious actress.

Also read: 6 Best Healing K-Dramas to Lift Your Spirits

If Hae-soo is IU’s most beloved character and Ji-an is her most critically acclaimed, Hotel del Luna’s Man-wol is easily her most iconic. As the fickle and haughty owner of a mysterious hotel that serves wandering spirits, IU blends cool elegance with impeccable comedic timing. 

In this romcom-slash-supernatural drama, Yeo Jin-goo takes on the role of Koo Chan-sung, the unlikely object of Man-wol’s affection. As the pendulum of Man-wol and Chan-sung’s love-hate relationship begins to swing decidedly toward love, Man-wol’s icy exterior cracks to reveal a hidden vulnerability. 

The Netflix anthology Persona consists of four short films by four acclaimed directors, all starring IU. In Lee Kyung-mi’s Love Set, IU is a precocious young woman playing a high stakes game of tennis against her formidable potential stepmother. In Collector, the second part of the anthology directed by Im Pil-sung, IU plays a woman men can’t help but fall for. The third segment, Jeon Go-woon’s Kiss Burn, is a cheeky coming-of-age tale where IU plays a reliable friend in need. And in the final installment, Kim Jong-kwan’s Walking at Night, IU is one-half of a couple in an end-of-relationship dreamscape.   

IU, playing four very different personas, demonstrates her remarkable versatility and range as an actress, shifting between emotions, personalities and contexts with ease.  

In the movie Dream, IU and fellow Hallyu global star Park Seo-jun team up to whip up a motley crew or misfits into shape and turn them into soccer champions. This is the type of feel-good sports drama that revolves around overcoming insurmountable odds. 

The chemistry of the main leads is electric. There’s no romance, but Park and IU rely on their talent for comedy to bolster their performance. IU’s playful but antagonistic portrayal of Lee So-min is fun to watch, and she and Park Seo-jun play off each other effortlessly, creating a dynamic and engaging partnership that keeps the audience hooked throughout the film.

Don’t miss: 7 Best Park Seo-Joon Shows to Watch: Itaewon Class, Fight For My Way and More

In her most recent K-drama, IU once again wows viewers and critics with her performance. Here she plays Ae-sun, a smart and ambitious young woman whose dreams are hindered by poverty. As the story spans several decades, IU later on also plays Ae-sun’s daughter Geum-myeong, who is as smart and tenacious as her mother and equally burdened with the circumstances life has given her. 

In both roles, IU demonstrates a strong command of her craft, revealing warmth and vulnerability and a steely determination as Ae-sun, and balancing crippling guilt with fiery drive as Geum-myeong. As for her her chemistry with co-star Park Bo-gum, who plays Ae-sun’s devoted husband Gwan-sik, it imbues the relationship with authenticity and depth. 

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