A Full House for IU’s Big Anniversary
K-pop queen IU marked her 17th debut anniversary in style with a two-day fan meeting titled [Bye, Summer] at the KSPO Dome in Seoul. Held on September 13 and 14, the event was her first offline fan event in nearly two years, making it extra special for UAENA—the official name of her loyal fandom. As expected, tickets sold out instantly in pre-sale.
‘Bye, Summer’ Was More Than a Concert
IU named the event after her latest single, Bye, Summer, a mellow ode to seasonal goodbyes. The fan meeting was conceptualized as a “cool greeting at the end of summer,” blending stage performances with storytelling, laughter, and memories shared over the years. The goal? To give fans a gift that felt like a warm, late-summer hug—and IU delivered.
Setlist Highlights: From Fan Favorites to Rare Gems
IU kicked off the show with a bang—literally, with fireworks—before launching into Bye, Summer. Clad in a breezy summer dress, she performed hits like eight, Red Sneakers, Blueming, Through the Night, and Heart. But what really made fans scream? She brought out deep cuts like The Thousand-Year Song (a game OST), and rarely performed drama soundtracks like Crayon, Marshmallow, and L’amant.
Moon Sang Hoon: Comedian, MC, Certified UAENA
IU wasn’t alone on stage—comedian Moon Sang Hoon, a longtime IU stan, joined her as MC. “It feels like I’m dreaming, standing on stage with IU,” he admitted, playfully declaring his ‘success’ in life. Their unexpected but delightful chemistry brought comic relief, especially when Sang Hoon joined IU for the marshmallow performance, attempting both dance and rap to fans’ absolute delight.
Fan Interactions That Hit the Feels
In segments like You Are My Celebrity and You and I, Us, IU interacted directly with fans—admiring cosplays, sharing laughs, and even talking about her acting experiences in a section dubbed IU’s Lasting Scene. She dropped hints about her next drama role as Seong Hee-joo in The Great Lady of the 21st Century and even showed behind-the-scenes photos from Netflix’s Goodbye.
Gifts Galore: IU’s Thoughtful Touch
True to her generous reputation, IU gave fans a “reverse present” package that included cooling cushions, mini fans, a rotating acrylic stand, keycap keyrings, photo cards, and cute tattoo stickers. In a special video, she personally demonstrated how to use each item—because of course she did.
Encore with Extra Emotion
For the encore, IU surprised fans by walking into the crowd before belting out I Stan U, melting hearts with her closeness and sincerity. On Day 1 she closed with Dream in Summer Night; on Day 2, with Autumn Morning. Tears were shed, slogans were chanted, and hearts were full.
IU Says Thanks—And Promises More
“To everyone who came to the fan meeting, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you’re happy, and let’s meet again soon,” said IU in her closing remarks. This wasn’t just a fan meeting—it was a magical rewind of the last 17 years and a warm preview of what’s to come.
IU’s Reign Continues
Her new song Bye, Summer topped charts in Korea and on global iTunes. Meanwhile, her popup store Found at Eight is running at The Hyundai Seoul. Long live the Queen.
