IU releases new song “Celebrity” for her upcoming album

K-pop singer and songwriter IU has released her much-anticipated new song “Celebrity” together with a music video on 27 January, making waves across the music industry and real-time charts.

The new song has a bright and cheerful pop sound and comes as part of her long-awaited album to be released later this year. With IU’s sweet voice, brisk melody and heart-warming lyrics, “Celebrity” delivers a positive message that everyone can be their own superstar.

The accompanying music video also conveys the same inspiration, where IU is seen changing into several stunning looks. In the video, IU goes undercover with a hat and sunglasses to avoid the crowds and accidentally runs into another version of herself, who is an ordinary girl. In the end, she escapes from all the cameras and flashlights to become her own self and celebrity. 

Since its release, the song has already ranked on the top of major real-time charts including Bugs, Genie, FLO and Melon’s 24Hits chart. The music video on YouTube has also accumulated nearly nine million views since the morning of 28 January.

IU’s return has been a hot topic with plenty of expectations. Earlier in January, she surprised fans with a plan for her fifth full-length album after three years during the 35^th Disc Awards, where she won the Digital Daesong, or the Digital Song of the Year for her 2019 single, “Blueming”. The news of the pre-released song “Celebrity” also followed afterwards. It is the latest single after she released the big hit “Eight” featuring BTS in May 2020. Her fourth studio album “Palette” dates back to 2017, which attained success both commercially and critically.

IU also stated in her speech onstage that she hoped the upcoming album could “bring sincere comfort to those who are tired and suffering right now” and that the song can “bring strength to people”.

See also: BTS named ‘Entertainer of the Year’ by TIME magazine