How has IU stayed thriving and relevant in the industry for so long?

Especially as a female artist, it’s incredibly hard to even chart well for 3 years, much less more than a decade like IU

discuss

i think firstly, she started young so that's a huge part.

she managed to keep a pretty pure image for herself through out the years

she has just an amazing voice

lee jieun is perfect wbkk

It's all about brand. I don't see anything special tbh.

all her songs are amazing

It would be a good subject to study for sociologists.

Few things are obvious,

1. Soloists do have better longevity than groups and balladic linger far longer in memory than bops.

2. She managed to expand beyond the K-pop category, so achieved traction with far larger population of Korea.

3. Creative artistry is respected more than performance artistry. Among all the idol-singers, idol-dancers and idol-rappers, she can be called an idol-poetess.

4. Dramas, variety, CFs- Almost till 2014 she carpet bombed Korean society in every way. Even today has a huge presence outside music.

All these were done by others, to different extents as well. But not to her degree of success.

So the obvious answer is that she has gotten very good at all these things and reached a level of resonance with the Korean public, that she is a cultural habit. Why she became such a social phenomenon will remain a mystery.

Quote from Deep-Fried Corn Studded DooDoo (138)

she managed to keep a pretty pure image for herself through out the years

Not really, the photo upload scandal, openly admitting she watches porn, dating with Kiha, Zeze sexualization etc. would have killed other careers. Korean GP truly excuses her as though she is indeed their little sister.

good management

good promotions

acting career

artisitic involvement in her music

sings love

She's amazing. Honestly from everything she does to her songs. She's extremely talented that's for sure.

Talent and good songs.

Talent, Charm, Star Power. but i honestly find her overhyped.

Because other companies had failed to develop soloists worth their weight

She's beautiful, an incredible singer and songwriter, can act, so many get to know her thanks to dramas too based her songs

And more importantly has great personality, she's always humble and is knows for the love she has for her fans and the help she's always given to struggling artists and to people in general.