IU has been making waves worldwide as one of the most renowned singer-songwriters in the industry. With over 15 years of experience, there’s no denying her musical prowess. However, IU‘s incredible talent doesn’t end with just topping the music chart. She’s also grown into an exemplary actress with diverse roles under her belt. Truly a multi-talented gem, her remarkable eye for quality work mirrors the dramas she meticulously chooses to star in.
For those looking for their next IU drama after When Life Gives You Tangerines, we prepared a list of our favorite works for your watchlist needs!
You Are the Best! (2013)
Two years after her acting debut, IU plays the lead in You Are the Best! beside Jo Jung-suk and her real-life best friend, Yoo In-na. This family drama depicts the struggles of growing up as the youngest in the family. Often compared to her well-established siblings, Soon-shin (played by IU) constantly feels like she’s being left behind. With the news of her father’s death, her family is left behind to recover from the unexpected loss. Unfortunately, her misfortune doesn’t end there, as problems regarding her career reappear and her family’s secrets unfold. Amidst this chaos, she crosses paths with Shin Joon-ho (Jo Jung-suk), a snobbish yet driven CEO of an entertainment agency. With his help, Soon-shin begins to carve her own path of introspection and growth as an actress.
Aside from showcasing her acting potential with a new role, this drama also became her longest one yet. With 50 episodes in total, You Are the Best! is just the right fit for those who enjoy immersing themselves in a series.
Bel Ami (2013)
In this romantic comedy, IU stars as Kim Bo-tong with her on-screen partner Jang Keun-suk. True to its title, Bel Ami follows Dokgo Ma Te (Jang Keun-suk)—a pretty boy who uses his good looks to his advantage. To ultimately meet his estranged father, he’s tasked with discovering how ten powerful women became successful. With this mission in mind, he hired Bo-tong as an assistant for his scheme.
IU’s endearing depiction paints the drama in a more vivid hue as she plays a happy-go-lucky girl with an age-old unrequited crush. Definitely one of the show’s highlights, her quirky and genuine attitude becomes a bright light in Ma Te’s complicated life. Based on a comic, Bel Ami doesn’t take itself too seriously, as it’s filled with humorous tropes. Nevertheless, its valuable lessons are plentiful for its beloved characters and viewers.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Don’t start this series without a box of tissues ready; you’ll surely need it. Based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo puts a twist on traditional period dramas by adding time travel into the mix. IU takes on the role of Go Ha-jin, whose troubled life in the modern world is seen before she jumps into a lake to save a young boy. She ends up in the Goryeo era as Haesoo, a noblewoman and cousin of the 8th prince’s wife.
In true K-Drama fashion, she catches the attention of the princes and gradually forms a connection with all of them—some more than others. However, this comes at the price of standing amid power struggles, forbidden relationships, and tragic consequences. Alongside Lee Joon-gi as Wang So, the 4th Goryeo prince known for his ruthless demeanor, this drama has all of the ingredients for a heartbreaking ending with a bittersweet aftertaste.
My Mister (2018)
Never afraid to show a new side of her, IU joins the remarkable cast of My Mister with Lee Sun-kyun, Park Ho-san, and Song Sae-byeok. This drama is perfect to watch without any knowledge of the plot, but it can be simply defined as a story about life’s complexities. It’s both hard-hitting and comforting in its own ways, showcasing heavy themes such as depression through the eyes of each character. As Lee Ji-an, IU is a young girl in her 20s who’s forced to work tirelessly to care for her grandmother and pay off her parents’ debts. Her relationship with Park Dong-hoon (Lee Sun-kyun) slowly deepens as they seek refuge from their shared struggles.
Every person we encounter is probably dealing with their own set of problems. This human drama shows just that through its various characters, each carrying their own trauma and personal issues. While it’s quite an emotional watch, a feeling of understanding and hope will follow you even after the end of the series.
Persona (2019)
In this anthology, IU took on the challenge of playing four different roles. From being an angsty teen to a cryptic woman with a love for collecting hearts, she did a phenomenal job in all of them. Persona takes on more of an artistic route as each story is presented in unique and slightly unsettling ways. What makes this a must-watch is IU’s versatility, accentuated by the film’s vastly different themes. While this four-part series is only 20 minutes per episode, it certainly leaves you with a lot of questions and thought pieces.
Hotel del Luna (2019)
Known as one of her best dramas to date, Hotel del Luna leads us to a world full of spirits as we’re introduced to a mysterious hotel catered explicitly for them. Supervised by Man-wol, who’s bound to the establishment due to her past sins, this show seamlessly blends supernatural elements with the modern world. IU’s iconic depiction of our hard-headed hotel owner is easily one of the drama’s charms. Along with Yeo Jin-goo, their combined talent positively shows in their characters’ natural banter and eventual fondness.
There’s no need for words when it comes to IU’s drama repertoire. With these works as proof of her undeniable acting skills, be on the lookout for her upcoming drama, Wife of a 21st Century Prince, with Byeon Woo-seok set to release in 2026!
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Featured Image Credit: EDAM Entertainment
