Through the times, some things remain very consistent. #IU’s talent, her work ethics, diligence, professionalism, her humility & personality has been widely commented & acknowledged.
By her seniors, mentors, peers, fellow artists & those she worked with..
A loonnggg thread..

“I think #IU can become the next Lee Hyori (the next legendary icon). Instead of being sexy, she should be someone who establishes her music style with her own signature color. IU is a hoobae who has her own appeal, & she can go further than I did with her charms.”
- Lee Hyori

“Due to her busy schedule, #IU must’ve been exhausted most of the time.However, she never fails to show up with a bright appearance.The way she showed her concern (100 padded jackets fr the sportswear label she models) for the staff was beautiful &everyone loved her.”
- Heroes PDs

" #IU is an all-rounder. She can do every thing so it's right to call her that. I become more curious about her every time I see her. There's nothing she can't do. She's very mature for her age & her acting was so nuanced. She was born to be an entertainer."
- Jo Jung Suk

“ #IU is an acting genius, and she knows very well how to express herself with respect to the given situation.”
- Yoon Sung Sik, PD

"Usually men sing in the key of C, women in F or G,but #IU sang at a lower E flat.I knew of her excellent talent but I think she sang in a lower key on purpose to fit the mellow mood of the scene.She really did a great job & made it unique."
- Lee Yong (Composer-Forgotten Season)

“Whenever I look at #IU, I ask myself, ‘Was this girl really a singer before?’ That’s how well IU portrays her character. Even though it’s her first time acting, it’s commendable that she’s become so immersed in her character’s emotions.”
- Lee Mi Sook

“ #IU did really well. She went at it really ambitiously. I saw her on the 1st day & initially gave her a hand. However, she did her part perfectly. IU did not hold her script even during rehearsals. She had memorized it. There are no words for how well she did."
- Go Doo Shim

“I think she is a cool kid. IU is more than just music”
-Kim Chang Wan

*He was impressed by her response to his question on ‘what kind of nation would you like our nation to be?’

“This is only the start of her career.
#IU is a very talented person. To have such talented artist with us is a tremendous blessing. We’ll have to take good care of her, and help to reach greater heights “
- Choi Baek Ho, 2014

“I’m relieved because a lot of fans came to my comeback performance. I think the reason why a lot of people came was because of #IU. The right expression would be that IU carried me on her back. She was a big help. IU is a treasure, I wish I could carry her around.”
- Seo Taiji

As #IU's does music, she was able to express her feelings well & is mature for her age. She looks small, thin, feminine but has more strength than an average man.She held her form fr start to end.Though acting isn't her original career, she was very professional.
- Hong Jong Hyun

“I’ve told her that she was like Taylor Swift, except, Taylor Swift can’t act while IU has both the singing and acting down. I’ve also never seen her express any exhaustion while being on set. She works harder than any other actress out there.”
- Park Ji Young

“ #IU did such a good job. What I thought was amazing was that she acts w the big picture in mind.She prefers to understand the whole situation of a scene.She watches the scenes before & after her’s & analyzes them. She’s like a director, with wide perspectives.”
- Lee Joon-Gi

“I started my acting career earlier, but I was able to learn a lot from her. #IU is very sincere and full of spirit. Whenever she wasn’t satisfied with her own acting, she would say, ‘1 more time please.’ & do it well.”
- Woo Hee Jin

“Her growth have caused me to reconsider her musical ability altogether.After I saw #IU perform “Remote Control” w her guitar,I was blown away.I couldn’t believe that someone at that age could produce such refined vocals.She changed my mind about her completely.”
- Shin Hye Sung

“Even though there’s a age-gap between her and my son, I would love someone like #IU as daughter-in-law. I like that style...
IU still sends me gifts (Royal Jelly) on special holidays after all these years, since we starred in Heroes together...”
- Noh Sa Yeon

“ #IU was actually a grown-up child. She was even more patient & controlled than myself. If filming didn’t start on time, I would fret around wondering why it wasn’t beginning, but IU would just be sitting and waiting quietly as if she was listening to music.”
- Gong Hyo Jin

“She’s mature. She’s incredible. #IU takes very good care of the people around her”
- Yoo Jae Suk

“Having such a singer in our country is a blessing to us. Recently, she said she felt prouder to receive songwriter award vs the Daesang. At such age, w such abilities to compose, write & express, even I as her sunbae has a lot to learn fr her. Please cherish her, our IU.”
- Psy

"I thank her for playing the role well. The Lee Jian that Lee Ji-eun plays, is better than the one I prepared.
Due to #IU’s early success & her young appearance, she is often underestimated (as an actor & singer). She will go far beyond our expectation”
- PD Kim Won Seok

“ #IU is very thoughtful. She’s younger than me, but her heart is different from other people”
- Park Ho San

“ #IU really worked hard & did a good job. The young actress has really exceptional concentration. Seeing her write lyrics, she doesn’t seem like a young person. It feels as if there’s a grandma inside of her.
I just adore her so much.”
- Son Sook

“I think #IU has a natural gift for music. Mr. Arie Vardi sometimes says a prodigy in music has great talent in 3 categories. Skills, musicality, & spirituality that transcend above whatever age you are. I think IU is part of the 3rd category.”
- Son Yeol Eum, musician.

“The recording session took a very long time, not because I wasn’t satisfied. #IU didn’t come out of the booth until she was satisfied. I was very impressed by her being so professional & passionate. It reminded me why I had so much respect for her as an artist.”
- Zico

“I struggled with the lyrics , so I asked #IU. She said she’ll work on it if she has time in between working on her song. She called me in late hours, sent the lyrics & said I didn’t have to put her name in the credits & just buy her a delicious meal later instead.”
- Lim SeulOng

“When I 1st met #IU, I felt she had a calm & delicate feeling.I saw the sadness of someone who lived a tough life. I felt her charming characteristics. I was inspired by our 1st meeting & was shock by her acting skill. She exceeded my expectations as an actor.”
- Kim Jong Kwan PD

“ #IU has a good balance between emotions and logic. When she’s acting an emotional scene, she lets go a part of herself that makes her an artist. I thought she was amazing. I could tell she was special. I thought she had a lot of potential for films.”
- Im Pil Sung PD

“ #IU has always been polite since young. Even when I first saw her, she’s been behaving like an adult, mature & sings so well. I thought (then) that she would definitely hit big in the future. And as expected, she has now become an outstanding artist.”
- Gummy

“Only #IU could play Man-wol after seeing the script.I prepared a lot, but if IU couldn’t do it, I’d have given making the drama.
Man-wol is lonely & sad, she is colorful,luxurious & fastidious in taste, so It’s similar to the feeling IU has.IU has this charm”
- Oh Choong-Hwan PD

“When I was busy with my plays, I got an offer for a role in Hotel Del Luna. As soon as I heard #IU was in it, I accepted without even reading the script. She sent me a gift every holiday. I sent her tickets to my musical. That’s how we became friends.”
-Jung Dong-Hwan

“ #IU isn’t even 30 years old, but she’s someone w a strong mind, emotions & fine sense. Her charm is that she’s like a blank piece of paper. Her face varies depending her makeup & lighting. She’s not only a good conversationalist, she’s also diligent.”
- Seo Yi Sook

“ #IU has very good musical intuition. She’s also very sensible and grounded. When a person becomes a star, most don’t stay that way. She’s modest without the need to be modest. There was no “manager bring my water” attitude & I really like that about her.”
- Sung Si Kyung

"It was 2009 when #IU first appeared on Sketchbook. We have seen each other's beginning.Sketchbook was the stage that introduced a musician named IU to the public. Since then, IU grew up to be the most representative female singer-songwriter of Korea.
- Yoo Hee Yeol

“ #IU is such a great person, but she seems too tiny to carry all that greatness, so I always feel sorry for her. Yet, IU would tell me “It’s ok, it’s not Unnie’s fault”, so I’m always feeling thankful, & I’m always feeling sorry..”
- IU Team
*Chatshire concer tour

“Her thoughts were much deeper than I thought; she had a dark corner & many worries. I thought she would be enjoying her current stardom without a care, but in fact she had a very discerning eye & objective view of her current situation. I was amazed by #IU's talent."
- Lee Juck

“ #IU has a certain “force“ within her. It is an honor to have been able to write lyrics for IU and heard her sing them, especially after listening to the lyrics she wrote for “Knees”.
- Jennifer E. Kim, Lyricist

“ #IU's artistic sensibility & her grasp of the work are very good. I am stunned to know that her meticulous acting and singing are equally outstanding. She almost does not require guidance and she prepares her work for filming.”
- Kim Kyu Tae, PD

“I’m a huge fan of #IU’s lyrics. She makes me drop everything and listen. Particularly, it’s her ability to take deep, almost philosophical topics and turn them into easily relatable, easy-listening lyrics.”
- Seo Ji Eum, Lyricist

“IU actually made me stop writing for a while. When I first heard the lyrics to IU’s ‘Friday’, I became ashamed of my own lyrics and had to halt working for a bit. IU’s lyrics can have quite the impact.”
- Jun Gan Di, Lyricist

“She was so bright. She exceeded my expectation. Whenever I had a request, she would go beyond that. She was always prepared. She had a beautiful voice. With all that combined, she wowed all staff, including myself.”
- Kim Dong Ryul

“My interpretation of a professional singer is not just about somebody who can reach high notes but someone who can effectively convey a song's thoughts & feelings,and exemplifies it’s emotions in a song. #IU, w her velvety voice,is a wonderful example.”
-Kim Sungeun, vocal coach

“Personally, I think #IU is the unrivalled top female solo artist in Korea.”
- Sunmi
*That was her response when someone commented that “This was the beginning of the unrivalled top female solo artis in Korea” under her debut song.

“ #IU is currently one of the most powerful person in our country's music industry. Yet the energy she brings is always positive”
- Lee Ju Yeop, Lyricist

“Psy may have gunpowder, but #IU always carries around a weapon with her. Her most powerful weapon of all: Her voice”
- Bada, Fantastic Duo 2

“I was surprised they casted #IU who has a different image w the script. So I searched and listened to her songs, & realised the reason why the PD chose her. Although she’s young, her music is deep. The emotions in her music fits well with Jian. She acted well.”
- Jung Hae Kyun

“She young but showed off various human emotions & love for life.I think her image as an idol is completely different. #IU knows how to express complex emotions.She has a lot of potential as an actress, w her spectrum of acting is getting wider as well.”
-Prof. Yoon Seokjin,Critic

“ #IU makes a clever use of the experience she gained as a singer. She seems to know how to catch a character, and how to make it attractive. As she gets older, and gain more experience, she might be able to perform even better than she does now.”
- Drama criticist, Kim Seonyung

“Watching ‘Hotel Del Luna’ and her previous work ‘My Mister’ made me think that #IU is a genius. She has the ability to intelligently find what to express and how to express it. Perhaps IU will show better performance by constantly trying to change.”
Prof. Kim Gongsook, Critic

“Usually singers receive permission for remakes through the agency or manager. It was the 1st time that the singer requested permission herself. I was surprised as #IU actually wanted to stay faithful & retain the integrity of the original version.”
-Choi Sung Won & Lee Byung Woo

“When #IU arrived, she brought two suitcases with her, incl. gifts such as her mother’s homegrown vegetables & homemade side dishes, as well as coffee her father had roasted. I’m thankful & touched, and it reminded me why IU is the way she is.”
- Kang Koong, House on Wheels PD

“ #IU’s thoughts on music are deep & her understanding of the overall process is outstanding- A real musician. She’s really the best. She often gets misunderstood due to her shy & quiet personality, but once you get to know her,she’s really genuine & honest.”
- Kim Seungho,Drummer

“ #IU rehearses with the full band at least 4 times a week, which itself is insane. She sings non-stop for 6 hrs, which will result in her flawless performances during the show. She sings beautifully.”
- Jung Hanteo

“As for her performance, #IU treats the choreography sessions like three hours of non-stop aerobic exercise. She does not show any physical limitations when it comes to her endurance. That must be a reason why she is called the dancing Goddess, and a dancing queen.”
- Jung Hanteo

“I’ve worked with many people in my life, but is there any other artist who captures her staff in photographs and in her heart like this? Just her.. #IU”
- Seo Yoon, IU hairstylist

*IU, herself, had made a photobook for the staff for her tour “dlwlrma“

“ #IU is a musical genius. And on top of that, she’s beautiful. She’s doing really well. She even referred to me as seonsaengnim (sir). She’s also still sending me gifts every holiday! IU sent me a ginseng set for Chuseok and New Year’s.”
- Park Myung Soo

“I asked #IU to write the lyrics as I feel she would do well. I only gave her keywords: ‘power’ & ‘confidence’. She wrote so well - Amazing & relatable lyrics. The double ‘y’ in the title to represent greed was also IU’s idea, to give the word more emphasis.”
- JeA (on Greedyy)

“I’ve always loved #IU but her lyrics, her song (Our Happy Ending)..*sigh* She’s awesome. I could feel her artistic consideration through this work. Although she’s by “hoobae”, I think there’s a lot to learn from her.”
- LYn

“ #IU has always been good with her lyrics writing but she’s getting even better. Her lyrics not only have great literary element, but also great sense. It’s a unique ability; for the lyrics to be stylish while maintaining the message you want to convey.”
- Kim Eana, Lyricist

“It is difficult enough to memorise & recite the pronunciation of a foreign language, yet #IU chose a song with really complicated lyrics. How many artists are willing to go this far for fans to be happy for 3 minutes?”
-Wyman Wong, Lyricist of Wedding Invitation St. (Cantopop)

“Jang Man Wol is a complex character with many different sides, from haughty to charismatic to bossy to pathetic. We thought #IU shares those sentiments. All of us, including director Oh Choong-hwan, tried our best to coax her to take the role.”
- Hong Mi-ran, Screenwriter

“If we couldn’t get #IU, Plan B was to reverse the relationship,making it a story of a male hotel owner & female manager.But we may lose the originality & wouldn’t be able to do reversed gender roles w a female boss. So it had to be IU no matter what.”
-Hong Jung-eun,Scriptwiter

“ #IU surprised me. How does a female singer in her 20s manage to pull off this song so maturely? Quiet & contemplative, it leaves behind a space that calmly envelopes you. The arrangement & voice leaves deep lingering emotional imagination.”
-Jung Mi-Jo, Singer of “By the Stream”

“As #IU crosses into her 30s, I think she’ll be able to sing with more emotional depth than we can ever imagine.”
- Im Jin-Mo, music critic

“To be honest, celebrities come across lots of dancers, but for them to actually greet everyone incl. the staff fr other companies & band members happily is seriously a rare case. #IU is the no.1 contributor to forming IU team & our precious relationships.”
- Jeon Eun Ha, Dancer

“ #IU works hard, is talented and well loved by many. Through performing together (in YHY Sketchbook), we got closer to each other. I really like “Through the Night”, & I appreciate it even more after knowing she wrote the lyrics to that song herself.”
- Jang Pilsun

“At 1st I thought that she would be hard to approach, but she has a cool, easy-going personality. #IU makes people around her very comfortable. When she’s acting, she becomes really focused in the moment, which was helpful for me while filming. I’m very grateful.”
- Kang Ha Neul

“I’m a fan. #IU’s voice is special in that it sounds warm & cold at the same time, which is very attractive.
I thought such a combination could well deliver the song’s (Love Story) message about painful love, which is a combination of those two emotions.”
- Tablo, Epik High

“ #IU’s attention to detail is amazing. It made me realize that not anyone can be a star like her. She’s very passionate about her work. Even though she was very busy, she still sent me detailed msgs to advise me. I admired her as both a singer and lyricist.”
- Jung Seung Hwan

“The most memorable artist has got to be #IU, she’s always the first to promote my music & help me. I have recently started off my own solo career and IU has always demonstrated her support for me and my music.”
- Jukjae

“ #IU is an actress who allows the creators to conjure up a variety of motifs with his/her imagination. She skillfully played out 4 completely different characters in “Persona.” The film series captures the charm of the actress & shows a variety of performances.”
- Yoon Jong Shin

“When I heard #IU had been cast as Ji An I was glad as it was a perfect fit. While on set, she lived as Lee Ji An.
Ji An is a very heavy and dark character. She did method acting from the start, working really hard in order to completely become her character.. ”
- Lee Sun-Kyun