IU Drops Surprise Digital Single 'Bye, Summer' as a Farewell to the Season

Pop sensation IU has gifted fans with a special send-off to summer. On September 10th at 7 AM KST, the beloved artist unexpectedly released her digital single "Bye, Summer" across major streaming platforms without any prior announcements or promotional activities.

The track, a heartfelt gesture to mark the transition from summer to autumn, was first unveiled live during IU's 2024 IU H.E.R.E.H World Tour Concert Encore: The Winning. Performing with a guitar, IU shared with her audience, "This summer felt unusually long, but because I spent it with you, I want to say it was the best summer ever. I wrote this song to capture that love and warmth." The moment became even more magical as a light rain that started during her performance ceased precisely as she concluded the song.

Ever since the concert, fans have been eagerly requesting an official release of "Bye, Summer," a wish that has now been fulfilled. Co-written and composed by IU herself with producer Seo Dong-hwan, known for his work on "Love Wins All," the song features IU's signature lyrical vocals paired with a refreshing band arrangement, perfectly encapsulating the wistful yet breezy sentiment of late summer days. A charming lyric video, styled as a fairytale animation depicting two characters cherishing summer memories before parting, has also been released on IU's official YouTube channel.

Beyond her musical achievements, IU continues to garner accolades. She recently secured Best Actress and Popular Star awards at the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards for her role in the Netflix drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" (Korean title: 폭싹 속았수다), which also won the Grand Prize. Additionally, she was honored with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award at the 7th Newsis K-Expo.

Looking ahead, IU is set to connect with her fans at the 2025 IU Fan Meet-Up [Bye, Summer] on September 13–14 at KSPO Dome in Seoul. Following this, she will commence work on her upcoming drama, "The 21st Century Lady." IU's new single "Bye, Summer" is currently available on all major music platforms and can also be enjoyed on her official YouTube channel.

IU, whose real name is Lee Ji-eun, debuted in 2008 and has since become one of South Korea's most popular solo artists and actresses. She is renowned for her diverse musical style, spanning ballads, pop, and R&B, and her songwriting contributions. Her acting career has also been met with critical acclaim, with notable roles in dramas like 'My Mister' and 'Hotel del Luna.'