Korean singer and actress IU (Lee Ji-eun, 이지은) recently updated her social media for the first time in three months, sharing 20 recent photos. The update followed controversies surrounding her new drama, reports of a breakup, and health concerns, surprising and delighting many fans. However, what drew even more attention than the photos themselves was her choice of background music: a song by her ex-boyfriend Jang Ki-ha's (장기하) band, which unexpectedly ignited discussions online in Korea.
On the 6th, IU posted a series of updates on her personal social media, writing captions such as "Hi, long time no see," "I've been living diligently," and "A very late birthday meal," alongside 20 recent pictures.
The photos showed her natural selfies before and after makeup, candid shots from inside her car, nearly bare-faced daily looks, and a picture sitting alongside actress Lee Yeon (이연), all conveying a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle. Even without much editing, her fresh demeanor captivated many fans, garnering numerous likes.
However, it was not the photos but the background music accompanying her posts that garnered the most attention. IU chose "Living Without Incident" (별일 없이 산다) by Jang Ki Ha and the Faces (장기하와 얼굴들). Given that Jang Ki-ha is her publicly acknowledged ex-boyfriend, this choice immediately sparked heated discussions among Korean netizens.
IU and Jang Ki-ha first met in 2013 while appearing on the SBS radio program "Jang Ki-ha's Great Radio." They later developed a romantic relationship and publicly confirmed their dating in 2015. Their 11-year age difference made their relationship a topic of significant interest at the time. After approximately two years of dating, they announced their breakup in 2017.
Jang Ki-ha also recently made headlines for a new relationship, reportedly having quietly dated rookie actress Yoon Ga-i (윤가이), 18 years his junior, for over two years. The two developed feelings while working together on "SNL Korea" Season 4. After their relationship was revealed, Yoon Ga-i's agency confirmed the news. It is understood that the couple maintained a very low profile, rarely showing public affection, and left no traces of their relationship on social media. However, close friends and family were already aware, so the news did not cause a major shock when it broke.
Meanwhile, in May of this year, IU became embroiled in a historical distortion controversy over her starring role in the new drama "The Lady of the 21st Century." After issuing a public apology, she paused her social media updates.
Subsequently, she faced a series of challenges. Korean media reported that her four-year public relationship with actor Lee Jong-suk (이종석) had ended. Later, she announced the cancellation of her concert scheduled for September at Goyang Stadium due to health reasons. At the time, she communicated through a fan platform that she had to cancel the performance due to her physical condition, causing considerable concern among fans.
However, at the end of last month, IU attended the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards, where she presented the Best Actor and Actress awards alongside Ju Ji-hoon (주지훈). Her radiant smile at the event offered some reassurance to the public.
Korean netizens reacted with comments such as: "She actually used Jang Ki-ha's song as background music," "That's so generous of her," and "It feels a bit subtle." However, many also believed there was no need to overanalyze, stating: "A song is just a song," and "It was a relationship from over 10 years ago; there's nothing wrong with listening to an ex's song now."
Reactions among Korean netizens to IU's choice of her ex-boyfriend's song as background music were divided. Some commented, "She actually used her ex's song, that's really generous," and "That's so cool." Others, however, felt that "a song is just a song, no need to over-interpret," and "it was a relationship from over 10 years ago, it's normal to listen to an ex's song now," suggesting that the public should not read too much into it.
