IU’s ‘HEREH’: A masterclass in pop performance
“I feel like I’m having the best dream I’ve ever had in my life.” — Under the Strawberry Moon, IU brought Korea to the UK with a fully-seated concert, co-ordinated fanchants, and a personal gift from her mother.
IU HEREH World Tour Concert in London. Image: EDAM Entertainment.
Having debuted at the age of 15 in 2008, Korea’s national treasure is no stranger to the stage. 17 years post debut, Lee Ji-eun (also known by her stage name IU) embarked on her first World Tour which kicked off in the artist’s birth-city, Seoul.
On June 21, 2024, IU’s ‘HEREH World Tour’ in London at the OVO Arena Wembley commenced just after 6.30 pm to the delight of eagerly awaiting fans (Uaena’s) and a sea of green and purple lightsticks.
Part 1: Hypnotic
While every song in IU’s discography had the gravitas to open the ‘HEREH World Tour’ setlist, her latest title track, “Holssi”, from ‘The Winning’ (2024) set the tone for the rest of the evening.
“Holssi”, meaning dandelion seeds, encourages listeners to follow the ‘tiny leader’ — and while IU herself stands at five feet and three inches tall, this ‘tiny leader’ commands the stage like no other.
Having been credited for co-writing the title track, it seemed fitting that this empowering, hip, and aloof track would precede what was to come.
Following up with the sensual “Jam Jam” from her first full album ‘Palette’ (2017) this gorgeous angel dressed in a white mini dress proved that she’s a force to be reckoned with.
London Uaena’s were now fully ready to ride the HEREH wave with “Ah-puh” coming next. This uplifting track from the singer’s fifth full-length album ‘Lilac’ (2021) likens the singer’s ability to successfully navigate through life to riding out unpredictable ocean waves on a surfboard: ‘I’m such a good surfer, I don’t get swept away.’
Keeping the energy high, IU would likely give a ‘Yellow C-A-R-D’ to any fans who weren’t enjoying themselves at this point as her groovy single “Bbibbi” (2018) was up next.
IU performed to a full OVO Arena Wembley. Image: EDAM Entertainment.
Switching up the mood in the blink of an eye, the setlist moved seamlessly to “Obliviate”, a bossa nova track released on IU’s third studio album ‘Modern Times’ (2013).
With incredible in-sync dance numbers and a fantastic accompaniment from her band (Kim Dongmin on guitar, Kim Hyun on keyboard, Hong So-jin as board master, Choi Insung on bass, Cho Jae Bum on percussion, and Kim Seungho on drums), part one of IU’s ‘HEREH World Tour’ in London concluded.
Part 2: Energetic
Transported into a frightening darkness, illuminated only by lightning strikes and a single candlelight held by a child actress, Uaena’s were provided an immersive treat to lead them into part two of the concert.
After battling with the darkness, the small child found herself in a beautiful forest, with azure blues and deep greens covering the stage which welcomed IU for the next set of her performance.
Serving as the lead single from ‘Lilac’ (2021), “Celebrity” led the audience into a segment of some of the singer’s most popular tracks including, “Blueming”, “eight” (her collaboration track with BTS member SUGA), “Coin”, and “I stan U”.
“Celebrity” was nothing short of breathtaking, and fans who understood the meaning behind the Korean lyrics were sure to have a tear in their eye.
With this gorgeous song, IU promises fans that their uniqueness is beautiful: ‘Don’t forget among the cloudy dark / You’re a star painted by a left hand / Can’t you see how beautiful, a true uniqueness can be?’
In this moment the stage was alight with pastel colours and a sense of raw emotion, with IU herself telling fans that performing the song in front of London Uaena’s for the first time since her debut 17 years ago made her feel emotional.
During “Blueming”, the fanchant felt straight out of a concert in Korea and was commented upon by the artist during part two’s ending: “Did you guys practise?” she said with a laugh.
Admitting that she was jetlagged, IU told fans that she felt as though she was in a dream: “I’m still a bit jet lagged,” she said, “It’s currently three or four am in the morning in Korea so I feel like I’m dreaming right now.
“I feel like I’m having the best dream I’ve ever had in my life.”
London Uaena’s absolutely felt this sentiment to be true — blessed with two masterclass performances thus far there wasn’t a bad seat in the house at the OVO Arena Wembley.
Part 3: Romantic
Fans could certainly feel the love during this segment which began with the latin pop track “Havana” from IU’s ‘Modern Times’ album. London Uaena’s sensed their worries melting away as this part of the concert was in full swing, with IU acting as ‘the break’ referenced in this song’s lyrics: ‘You are my break / My dilemmas and worries disappear / Every day I leave far away / When I see you.’
IU HEREH World Tour in London. Image: EDAM Entertainment.
Long-time fans of IU will know of her admiration for English singer and songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae, best known for her 2006 single “Put Your Records On”.
IU references Corinne Bailey Rae in her track “Palette”, and was invited to perform as the opening act for Corinne Bailey Rae’s first concert in Korea back in 2011.
Now, on the singer and songwriter’s home soil, IU expressed her wish to perform a song in dedication to her favourite artist: “I wanted to sing this song again after a long time, especially in London,” she explains, “It’s the first song I ever played on guitar.
“Tonight, you’re sparking before my eyes just like a star.”
Dressed in a beautiful blue maxi dress and a stunning sparkling hairpiece, IU sat under a spotlight on a darkened stage with her guitar and performed “Like a Star” (2006) by Corinne Bailey Rae.
Keeping things romantic, IU then performed an acoustic rendition of her 2021 ninth digital single “strawberry moon”. This dreamy pop ballad lends itself to a stripped back live session and was the perfect version to perform on the night of a Strawberry Moon here in the UK.
Fans had prepared a slogan event for this moment but were surprised to hear that the song almost didn’t make the cut as IU admitted the track was originally taken off the setlist. However, upon hearing that the night of her London concert was set to be a Strawberry Moon, the singer returned the track to its rightful place much to the delight of British Uaenas.
With a laugh she expressed: “Isn’t it like a drama?”
Inviting fans to sing along with her, IU sat down to sing “Through the Night” — a love filled ballad from her album ‘Palette’. Despite being in a country far from Korea, with a completely different mother tongue, Uaena’s filled the arena with their sweet voices.
The collaboration between fans and idol was beautiful to say the least.
Part 4: Ecstatic
In stark contrast to the heartfelt melody of “Through the Night”, IU came back on stage with a powerful performance of “Shopper” — the second title track from her latest release ‘The Winning’.
This theatrical, electro-pop ballad lends itself to the stage and, in this moment, married perfectly with explosive confetti cannons and an enthusiastic chanting from Uaena’s.
Blown away by the energy and passion from her British fans, IU asked: “Is it real that we haven’t seen each other for 17 years? I can’t believe this is the first time we’re actually singing together.”
In reply to this, the entire arena erupted in a fanchant accompanied by cheering and the stomping of feet which shook the venue. Overwhelmed by the reaction, the singer had to stop fans from cheering in an attempt to hold back tears.
She then explained that this night she had shared with her precious London Uaena’s had become a core memory — similar to those created in the animation ‘Inside Out 2’.
“Shopper” was followed by “Above the Time” from IU’s 2019 EP ‘Love Poem’, “You&I” the lead single from her second studio album ‘Last Fantasy’ (2011), and the highly anticipated “Love wins all” — each showcasing IU’s ridiculously fantastic live vocals in different ways.
Encore: Heroic
As an ode to the important women in her life, the first of two encore’s began with “Shh..” This dark, jazzy track slowed things down before fans were propelled into “Twenty-three” — an Alice in Wonderland inspired single from her 2015 fifth EP ‘CHAT-SHIRE’.
“Holssi” was given centre stage once again following “Twenty-three” and demanded extra attention for its rock version, which gave IU’s band time to really show off their talents.
As the star of the night’s performance donned a set of fluffy black headphones and exited the stage, her band ascended fans to another plane of musicality with an outro that reverberated through everyone’s veins, injecting them with enough energy to get home.
Images: EDAM Entertainment.
Silence settled around the arena and, desperate for another chance to hear songs that had not yet had a chance to shine on the setlist thus far, British Uaena’s began to demand more from their idol by shouting their I love you’s.
The noise was calmed by a message on screen, encouraging fans to entice IU back on stage with their own rendition of “strawberry moon”. Tentative at first and led only by Hangul and romanisation of the lyrics of the track on screen, Uaena’s who could read Korean began to lead the crowd through the song.
Soon enough, the entire arena could be heard harmonising in eager anticipation of IU who encouraged them to keep going as she entered the arena sporting a relaxed outfit of jeans and a ‘HEREH World Tour’ T-shirt.
Second Encore
Labelling this second, and unplanned, encore the ‘after-party’, IU took song requests from fans who had prepared for this very moment with homemade banners revealing the titles of their favourite tracks.
The songs that were hot on British Uaena’s lips were “Someday”, “Lilac”, “Love Poem”, and, of course, “Palette”.
British Uaena’s will eagerly await the return of IU. Image: EDAM Entertainment.
During the intro of “Love Poem”, the artist missed her cue which only added to her likeability and proved that the second encore was not part of the original setlist. Regardless, her second attempt at the song was where her voice shone the most.
With a minimal set, a relaxed wardrobe, and no backing vocals, IU proved why she is Korea’s national treasure — there were no frills needed.
Sending London Uaena’s home with the self-produced track “Palette” soothing their souls, IU would be in the forefront of every attendee’s mind for days, if not years to come.
