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During the finale of IU's HEREH World Tour on September 22, 2024, she took a significant moment to honor the women who have shaped the Korean music industry. This tribute came during her performance of the song Shh, which she presented with a unique touch. Instead of singing the song as usual, a VCR was played on the big screen, showcasing photo frames of numerous female Korean music artists from various generations.
By doing so, she celebrated her achievement as the first female artist to perform at the Seoul World Cup Stadium while paying homage to the pioneering women in Korean music who paved the way for future generations. Fans were thrilled to identify the diverse range of artists in the video, from early legends to contemporary stars. They saw it as a moving tribute to the collective efforts of women in the industry.
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IU’s gesture demonstrated her sense of responsibility and gratitude as she took on this groundbreaking milestone. It was not just about her success but about recognizing the contributions of all women in K-pop and Korean music.
IU honors female Korean music artists
On September 22, 2024, IU concluded her HEREH world tour, which had taken her to several cities across the globe including Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, London, Berlin, and many locations throughout North America. This tour was a monumental achievement for her, cementing her status as a global icon. It marked the culmination of her career with her 100th concert, titled The Winning, held at the prestigious Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The surprise VCR played in the background was a heartfelt homage to female musicians from the 1st to the 5th generation of K-pop, and it included images of many prominent artists, both past and present. Some of the stars that fans were quick to recognize included:
- Seulgi
- VIVIZ
- GFRIEND
- MAMAMOO
- TWICE
- BLACKPINK
- Lovelyz
- AKMU’s Soohyun
- STAYC
- NMIXX
- ITZY
- LE SSERAFIM
- (G)I-DLE
- IVE
- Aespa
- Bol4
- Lee-hi
However, even more artists were featured, and fans continued to eagerly identify all the faces shown in the VCR.
IU's decision to honor these women was seen as a reflection of the song Shh, which she describes as,
"Shh is about women sharing their complicated emotions that can't be summarized simply as either love, friendship, obsession or something else."
The concert was a star-studded event, with many celebrities in attendance, including BTS members V and J-Hope. Their presence added even more excitement to the event, especially as V had previously collaborated with IU on the song Love Wins All earlier in 2024.
In her concerts, the star has played a version of the song where their characters, Jihye and Taejun, receive a happy ending, a departure from the original music video’s bittersweet conclusion. Fans were thrilled to witness V finally getting to see this alternate ending live, making his attendance even more significant.
Overall, IU’s final HEREH tour concert was a powerful moment for her and the entire Korean music industry. It celebrated her career, the legacy of female musicians, and the growth of K-pop as a global phenomenon.
