IU Defends Label and Staff Over Fan Complaints About New Single Rollout

Singer and actress IU has personally addressed growing fan complaints about the rollout and styling of her latest singles, taking responsibility for the decisions herself and standing up for her agency and staff.

IU shared a lengthy message on the official fan platform Beryz on Sept. 30. She acknowledged that fans had voiced disappointment over how her new tracks "Unknown Planet" and "Dear my crazy soulmate" were released and promoted. "If you felt there was something lacking or disappointing about the promotion for these singles, that is entirely my responsibility," she wrote.

IU explained that the releases were never part of the original plan. "If it weren't for my health issues, the album would have come out in early September, and a concert would have followed a few weeks later," she said. "September was supposed to be a celebration for everyone, and because of me alone, it ended up feeling empty. I rushed the decision to drop these two singles to make up for that disappointment among fans."

She also drew a clear line between her own decisions and the promotion criticism, saying the limited rollout reflected her own wishes rather than any failure by the marketing team. "The marketing team suggested we needed more promotion to make it feel like a proper comeback," IU said. "I was the one who told them, 'These singles are a preview of next year's full album, so I don't see them as an official comeback. They're more of an event for fans who have been waiting for new music. If we're going to go big, let's save it and put all our energy into promoting the full album next year.'"

She also shared the story behind the hair, makeup, and styling choices that some fans had criticized. IU revealed she has a contact allergy that severely limits the fixers and standard cosmetics she can use. Her staff currently accompany her to the hospital and personally mix and test ingredients to help her work. Because she cannot use standard styling products, her hair sometimes falls out of place, and her makeup can look similar from day to day due to the limited range of items available. She stressed that this was not a reflection of her staff's skill.

IU also voiced her trust in her agency, EDAM Entertainment. "EDAM isn't always a perfect company, but they always respect my opinions and support me. They may have shortcomings, but they are a company that genuinely wants to do better for the fans," she wrote. "I'm not just defending the people around me. Everything I've said is true. I know how much love the fans have, so I'll take even better care of things going forward."