IU Celebrates Female Idols and Singers Across Generations in ‘Shh..’ Performance VCR Featuring NewJeans’ Hyein and BLACKPINK’s Rosé

During the grand finale of IU’s HEREH World Tour on September 22, 2024, she took a poignant moment to honor the remarkable women who have profoundly influenced the Korean music industry. This heartfelt tribute occurred during her rendition of the song Shh, where rather than performing the song as usual, a VCR played on the big screen, highlighting photo frames of numerous iconic female Korean music artists spanning various generations.

Through this tribute, IU celebrated her milestone as the first female artist to perform at the Seoul World Cup Stadium while acknowledging the pioneering women in Korean music who laid the groundwork for future generations. Fans were elated to recognize a diverse array of artists featured in the video, ranging from early legends to contemporary stars, viewing it as a moving homage to the collective contributions of women in the industry.

IU’s gesture exemplified her sense of responsibility and gratitude as she embraced this groundbreaking milestone. It transcended her individual success, focusing on the crucial contributions of all women in K-pop and Korean music.

IU Honors Female Korean Music Artists

On September 22, 2024, IU successfully concluded her HEREH world tour, which traversed multiple cities globally, including Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, London, Berlin, and various locations throughout North America. This tour marked a monumental achievement for her, solidifying her status as a global icon. It was a historic culmination of her career represented by her 100th concert, titled The Winning, held at the renowned Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The surprise VCR that played in the background served as a heartfelt homage to female musicians from the 1st to the 5th generation of K-pop, featuring images of many notable artists, past and present. Some of the stars that fans readily recognized included:

Seulgi
VIVID
GFRIEND
MAMAMOO
TWICE
BLACKPINK
Lovelyz
AKMU’s Soohyun
STAYC
NMIXX
ITZY
THE SERAPHIM
(G)I-DLE
IVE
Aespa
Bol4
Lee-hi

However, the video included even more artists, as fans eagerly worked to identify all the faces shown.

IU’s decision to honor these women resonated with the themes of the song Shh, which she describes as:

“Shh is about women sharing their complicated emotions that can’t be simply categorized as love, friendship, obsession, or something else.”

The concert was a star-studded affair, drawing many celebrities, including BTS members V and J-Hope. Their attendance heightened the event’s excitement, particularly since V had previously collaborated with IU on the song Love Wins All earlier in 2024.

During her concerts, IU has performed a version of the song where the characters, Jihye and Taejun, receive a joyful ending, in contrast to the bittersweet conclusion of the original music video. Fans were ecstatic to see V experience this alternate ending live, making his appearance all the more significant.

Overall, IU’s final HEREH tour concert was a powerful celebration for her and the entirety of the Korean music industry. It honored her career, the enduring legacy of female musicians, and the evolution of K-pop as a global phenomenon.

Source