IU Drama Appearances: From "When the Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon" to "Hotel Del Luna" and "My Mister"

IU has established herself as a prominent figure in both the music and acting industries, consistently delivering impactful performances. Her recent appearance alongside Park Bo-gum in the Netflix drama "When the Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon" garnered significant attention, particularly regarding its reported 60 billion won production budget and the lead actors' fees.

IU's acting career began with "Dream High" in 2011, followed by notable roles in "You Are the Best!," "The Producers," "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo," "My Mister," and "Hotel Del Luna." "You Are the Best!" achieved a peak viewership rating of 30.8%, while her OST "Someday" for "Dream High" topped music charts. For "The Producers," her self-composed song "Heart" was featured in the drama and became widely popular. Although rumors circulated about IU receiving 500 million won per episode for "When the Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon," both her agency and the production company denied these claims. Industry reports, however, suggested that the combined fees for IU and Park Bo-gum were between 500 million and 1 billion won per episode.

Bloggers highlight IU's extensive career, noting her debut in 2008 and her 18 years as a singer and actress, showcasing diverse and memorable performances. They emphasize that for OTT productions like "When the Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon," actors of IU's caliber not only contribute through their acting but also serve as a significant marketing tool, which justifies substantial production investments.