Once a devoted student reader, the singer-actor now inspires a wider audience one book at a time
IU: K-pop’s Multifaceted Icon and Avid Reader
Few artists navigate the worlds of **K-pop music** and **Korean television** with the seamless grace of **IU**, widely known by her birth name, **Lee Ji-eun**. A true entertainment powerhouse and an all-rounder by any measure, her illustrious career as a **singer-songwriter** and acclaimed actress has consistently set new benchmarks in the industry.
Since her 2010 breakthrough with the smash hit “Good Day,” which earned her the affectionate title of the nation’s “little sister,” the 32-year-old **South Korean superstar** has maintained an undeniable and constant presence in the country’s vibrant cultural conversation.
Her chart-topping albums and critically praised **K-dramas** reliably dominate headlines, solidifying her status among the rare **K-pop singer-songwriters** who consistently command music charts and influence trends.
In 2022, **IU** made history as the first Korean female solo artist to hold a concert at the prestigious Seoul Olympic Stadium, astonishingly selling out all 90,000 seats across two nights in just five minutes. Lee Ji-eun’s acting prowess continues to shine, from her captivating role in last year’s heartwarming slice-of-life drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines” to this year’s highly anticipated romantic comedy “Perfect Crown.”
The Literary Heart of IU: Her Enduring Passion for Books and Reading
Beyond her dazzling performances and compelling acting, a significant and defining aspect of **IU**’s public persona is her profound and enduring **love for books**. This passion has become a fundamental thread throughout her remarkable journey, inspiring countless fans.
The acclaimed **singer-actor** frequently discusses her **reading habits** in interviews and television appearances, often sharing insights into her current literary explorations. Fans particularly remember her appearance on the 2017 reality show “Hyori’s Homestay,” where she was famously seen engrossed in Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov,” meticulously underlining memorable passages – a moment that resonated deeply with viewers and highlighted her intellectual curiosity.
**IU** also consistently shares her **favorite book lines and recommendations** with her dedicated fanbase through social media and public engagements. These glimpses offer a unique window into the literary influences that profoundly shape her thoughts, perspective, and even the lyrical depth of her music.
According to past remarks from friends, during her high school years, **Lee Ji-eun** was an exceptionally **avid reader** and an active member of her school’s book club, seldom spotted without a book in hand.
IU’s Curated Reading List: Discover Her Favorite Books
Her thoughtfully curated **reading list** has evolved over time, becoming both extensive and remarkably influential among her global followers. Dive into some of her more recent and impactful **book picks** below, offering a chance to read along with the star.
“Pavane for a Dead Princess”: A Story of Beauty, Youth, and Netflix Adaptation
‘Pavane for a Dead Princess’
**IU** recently highlighted this poignant novel by **Park Min-gyu** on her Instagram, creating significant buzz around its February **Netflix film adaptation**, simply titled “Pavane.” The film features a stellar cast including Ko A-sung, Byun Yo-han, and Moon Sang-min, bringing this compelling **Korean story** to a wider global audience.
First published in 2009, this impactful **Korean novel** transports readers to the fringes of 1980s Seoul, exploring themes relevant even today.
The narrative revolves around three distinct young individuals: a woman whose perceived unattractiveness isolates her from typical social interactions; a strikingly handsome young man grappling with the deep scars of parental abandonment; and Yohan, the catalyst who brings these disparate lives together. Their fateful meeting while working a part-time job in a department store’s basement parking lot ignites a unique **coming-of-age romance**.
Beyond the romance, **’Pavane for a Dead Princess’** serves as a sharp social commentary, critically examining a society rigidly defined by narrow beauty standards and the pervasive influence of consumer capitalism. Simultaneously, it beautifully captures the restless journey of youth, often characterized by disillusionment and profound frustration.
“They Said Annyeong”: Kim Ae-ran’s Exploration of Home and Inequality
‘They Said Annyeong’
This compelling collection represents the latest work from renowned **Korean author Kim Ae-ran**, internationally celebrated for her novel “My Brilliant Life,” which has garnered significant global attention through its English translation and film adaptation.
**Kim Ae-ran’s “They Said Annyeong”** earned the prestigious title of **Book of the Year** in a 2025 poll among Korean writers, conducted by the Kyobo Book Center. This marks her second consecutive year of peer recognition, following her critically acclaimed 2024 novel, “One of the Two Is a Lie.”
**IU** herself recently lauded “They Said Annyeong” as the **best book she has read** in recent months, a testament to its profound impact and literary merit.
The collection comprises seven evocative **short stories**, frequently utilizing the intimate setting of the home as their narrative core. Within these deeply personal and often confined spaces, Kim skillfully delves into the heavy emotional toll of **economic inequality** and persistent **class tension** within contemporary Korean society.
The powerful title story intricately follows a woman’s journey as she leaves her job to tend to her ailing mother, returning to her hometown. In this process, she slowly drifts apart from her boyfriend, highlighting a poignant narrative of gradual isolation as she sacrifices both her romantic relationship and her financial independence.
“Orbital”: Samantha Harvey’s Booker-Winning Reflection on Life and Earth
‘Orbital’
A standout recommendation from **IU’s personal reading list** is **’Orbital’ by Samantha Harvey**, the esteemed **winner of the 2024 Booker Prize**. This captivating novel immerses readers in the lives of six fictional astronauts, observing them over a single day aboard a space station as they orbit Earth.
As they hurtle through space at over 17,000 miles per hour, the astronauts witness our silent blue planet revolve beneath them, completing 16 orbits in 24 hours. Continents, seasons, glaciers, deserts, majestic mountain peaks, and vast oceans unfold in a breathtaking, rapid succession, offering a unique perspective on our world.
Beyond their operational routines, **Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’** delves deep into reflections on the inherent **fragility of human life**. The astronauts grapple with profound themes of isolation, bereavement, and mission fatigue, their thoughts consistently returning to Earth and the profound meaning of existence. This makes it a compelling **literary read** for those interested in space and human introspection.
The esteemed **Booker Prize** jury lauded ‘Orbital,’ stating, “’Orbital’ offers us a love letter to our planet as well as a deeply moving acknowledgement of the individual and collective value of every human life.”
“My First Summer, Wanju”: A Transformative Journey of Voice and Community
‘My First Summer, Wanju’
This charming novel by **Kim Keum-hee** garnered significant attention last year, partly due to its unique publication story: it was released by actor **Park Jung-min**, who established his own publishing house and initially developed the work as an **audio novel** specifically for his visually impaired father.
As a personal acquaintance, Park shared the book with **IU**, who subsequently penned a glowing recommendation, finding the story “very engaging” and deeply resonant with its themes of connection and self-discovery.
The narrative centers on Son Yeol-mae, a voice actor who embarks on a journey to Wanju. Her quest is to find a friend who has vanished after failing to repay a debt. Stranded in the town and coping with a condition that affects her voice, she eventually settles at a quaint local shop. There, she begins to work and slowly becomes acquainted with Wanju’s wonderfully eccentric residents, creating a heartwarming community story.
Throughout a transformative summer, Yeolmae finds herself unexpectedly drawn into the lives of these townsfolk, leading to encounters that are both surprising and profoundly life-altering, offering readers a glimpse into rural Korean life.
**IU** highly praised the book, noting that it “introduces its characters in an instant, with a vividly distinctive voice and a drama-like, generous pace.”
She further added, “There is not a single scene that doesn’t make you laugh softly, yet also leave a quiet sadness somewhere in the corner of your heart.” This makes **’My First Summer, Wanju’** a delightful and moving **Korean literary recommendation** from the beloved star.
Explore More with Celeb Reads: Discover Celebrity Book Recommendations
The “Celeb Reads” series delves into how influential **K-pop stars**, beloved **K-drama actors**, and other prominent public figures are powerfully reshaping the global publishing landscape. Through their heartfelt and authentic **book recommendations**, they not only revive forgotten literary gems but also propel new titles to **bestseller** status. This ongoing series aims to highlight the significant **books that have shaped these celebrities** — and, in turn, may inspire and shape your very **next captivating read**. — Ed.
