7 Best Korean dramas to watch starring IU

Korean singer Lee Ji-hun, known as IU, is a multi-talented artist who has starred in many popular Korean dramas. At 31, IU's songs have topped the charts, competing with idol groups. She earned the title of "Nation’s Little Sister" in 2010 when her song Good Day went viral.

IU made her acting debut in 2011 in Dream High and had her first lead role in the 2013 drama You Are the Best!, earning a nomination for Best Actress at the 2013 KBS Drama Awards.

She has starred in some of the most popular Korean dramas such as The Producers, My Mister, and Hotel del Luna, amongst others.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and is ranked in no particular order.

7 Best Korean dramas starring IU

These Korean dramas have received multiple awards and have been acclaimed by critics for the story line and the K-drama actors' performances.

Bel Ami
Dream High
The Producers
You Are the Best!
Hotel Del Luna
Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo
My Mister

1. Bel Ami

Bel Ami, the comedy TV series directed by Lee Jae-sang, Jung Jung-hwa and Shin Yong-hwi, stars IU, Jang Keun-suk, Han Chae-young, and Lee Jang-woo. The Korean drama aired between November 20, 2013, to January 9, 2014, on KBS2.

The Korean drama centers on Dogo Ma-te (Jang Keun-suk), who must navigate ten different romantic relationships to discover his father's identity. Along the way, he meets Kim Bo-tong (IU), who becomes his love interest. Bel Ami has received numerous accolades, including a KBS Drama Award, a Fever Drama Award nomination, and four Seoul International Drama Award nominations.

2. Dream High

Starring Kim Soo-hyun, IU, Bae Suzy, and Ok Taec-yeon, amongst others, Dream High, is based on the story of six high school students, and their desires to become K-pop idols. IU plays the role of Kim Pil-sook, a timid student blessed with a sonorous singing voice, who battles an inferiority complex due to her physical appearance.

Dream High had its run from January 3, 2011, to February 28, 2011, on KBS2, and was co-directed by Lee Eung-bok, and Kim Seong-yoon. The high school K-drama won two Korean Drama Awards, two SKY PerfectTV! Awards, and five KBS Drama Awards, amongst others.

3. The Producers

The Romance-comedy, which stars Kim Soo-hyun, IU, Kong Hyo-jin, and Cha Tae-hyun, is focused on three employees in the entertainment section of the KBS TV network.

Seung-chan (Kim Soo-hyun), secretly admires music producer Ye-jin (Kong Hyo-jin), which motivates him to get a job at KBS. Surprisingly for Seung-chan, Ye-jin is already in a relationship with another colleague, Joon-mo (Cha Tae-hyun), who is a close friend of his.

The story explores the themes of unreciprocated affection, resilience, friendship, and ambition. IU plays the role of Cindy a.k.a Ice Princess (a popular singer known for being emotionless). The Producers aired from May 15, 2015, to June 20, 2015, on KBS2.

Some of the awards won by the Korean series include three Korean Drama Awards, and four KBS Drama Awards, amongst others.

4. You Are the Best!

You Are the Best! premiered on March 9, 2013, on KBS2 and ended on August 25, 2013. Directed by Yoon Sung-sik, the melodrama stars IU, Jo Jung-suk, Lee Mi-sook, and Go Doo-shim. The story follows Lee Soon-shin (IU), whose dream of becoming an actress is threatened by secrets from her past.

Themes include reconciliation and self-discovery. The series received two Korean Drama Award nominations, five KBS Drama Awards, and two Baeksang Art Award nominations, among other accolades.

5. Hotel Del Luna

Hotel Del Luna tells an intriguing story of a hotel made especially for ghosts with unresolved businesses in their past lives. Jang Man-wol (IU) is vested with the responsibility of managing the hotel for the rest of her life, to serve as atonement for her past sins.

As the story progresses, Man-wol breaks the curse, by making a deal with a deity. Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-go) takes the position of the new manager of the hotel, where he unravels hidden secrets surrounding Man-wol and the hotel.

This tvN drama series released on July 13, 2019, stars IU, Yeo Jin-go, and Kim Kang-hoon, and was directed by Oh Chung-hwan. This dark fantasy series received a Korea Drama Award, a Golden Disc Award, and a Baeksang Art Award nomination, amongst others.

6. Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo

Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo (Image via Spotify)

Starring IU, Lee Joon-gi, and Kang Ha-neul, and directed by Kim Kyu-tae, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo was released on August 29, 2016, on SBS TV. The historical drama follows Go Ha-jin (IU), who is transported back to the year 941 during a solar eclipse. She becomes Hae-Soo and finds herself in a love triangle with two princes, Wang Wook (Kang Ha-neul) and Wang So (Lee Joon-gi).

Hae-Soo will eventually have to decide her fate amidst the political battle between the two princes for the crown. Some of the awards won by the K-drama include a Korea Brand Award, and seven SBS Drama Awards, amongst others.

7. My Mister

My Mister stars IU, and Lee Sun-kyun, and aired on tvN from March 21, 2018, to May 17, 2018. The Korean drama tells the love story between two individuals, Lee Ji-han (IU), an impoverished young lady faced with the burdens of catering for her mum and her deaf grandma, and Park Dong-hoon (Lee Sun-kyun), who has to deal with deceit, and manipulation from his family, friends, and colleagues.

The two lovers will do everything they can to prevent their personal life issues from defining the love they share for each other.

My Mister, directed by Kim Won-seok, has won 4 APAN Star Awards, one Seoul Award, and two Baeksang Art Awards, amongst others.

IU's impressive filmography depicts her versatility as an artist and has delivered performances while embodying different characters.

Edited by Divya Singh