Real (IU EP)

Real
EP by IU
Released December 9, 2010
(see release history)
Recorded 2010
LOEN Studio, Seoul, South Korea
T Studio, Seoul, South Korea
Booming Studio, Seoul, South Korea
Music Cabal Studio, Seoul, South Korea
K-Note Studio, Seoul, South Korea
Vitamin Studio, Seoul, South Korea
W Sound Studio, Seoul, South Korea
Sonic Korea Studio, Seoul, South Korea
Genre K-pop, ballad, dance-pop, electronic
Length 26:38
Language Korean
Label LOEN Entertainment
Producer Jo Yeong-cheol, Choi Gap-won
IU chronology
IU...IM
(2009)		 Real
(2010)		 Real+
(2011)
Singles from Real
  1. "Good Day"
    Released: December 9, 2010
Music video
"Good Day" on YouTube

Real (stylized as REAL) is the third Korean-language extended play (EP) by South Korean singer-songwriter and actress IU. It was released and distributed by LOEN Entertainment on December 9, 2010. The special edition of the album was sold out during pre-order, which revealed the high anticipation for the album. IU collaborated with some of top vocalists and producers in South Korea such as Yoon Jong-shin, Kim Hyeong-seok, Lee Min-soo, Kim Eana, Shinsadong Tiger, and Choi Gap-won to work on the album.[1] The album's success strengthened the singer's position as the "Nation's Sweetheart" in her native country.

Background and release

Real consists of six songs and an instrumental of the title track, "Good Day" (Hangul: 좋은 날; RR: Joeun Nal). The album came in two different versions, normal and special edition. IU had worked with composers of hit songs such as "Abracadabra", "Nagging", and "Irreversible" to develop this album.

The album reflected the natural image of IU, as described by the album title. The title track is "Good Day" includes a musical combination of violin, wind instruments, guitar, and piano. It also displays her powerful vocals. The lyrics describe a story of a girl who doesn't have the courage to confess to her crush, the sweetness and tension of a first love.

IU also tried out a new music genre, electronic, in this album ("This Is Not What I Thought"). Other songs in this album includes "The Night of the First Breakup" (Hangul: 첫 이별 그날 밤; RR: Cheot Ibyeol Geunal Bam), a story about the day of a panicking girl who just broke up with her boyfriend; "Alone in the Room" (Hangul: 혼자 있는 방; RR: Honja Itneun Bang), lets you feel a mature side of IU and is filled with the emotions of an 18-year-old girl as IU co-wrote the lyrics to this song; "The Thing I Do Slowly" (Hangul: 느리게 하는 일; RR: Neurige Haneun Il), a ballad that describes a girl trying to forget her love after a breakup; and "Merry Christmas in Advance" (Hangul: 미리 메리 크리스마스; RR: Miri Meri Kriseumaseu), a confession from IU to the fans, which was composed by Shinsadong Tiger. It features rapping from Thunder, who has been friends with IU since pre-debut, and the tune is a love song which brings everyone love during Christmas.[2]

IU made her official comeback through KBS's Music Bank on December 10, 2010.

As of 2012, the album has sold more than 85,000 copies.[upper-alpha 1]

Track listing

※ Bolded tracks identify singles from the album.

CD/Digital download[4]
No. TitleLyricsMusic Length
1. "This Is Not What I Thought" (이게 아닌데; Ige Aninde)Kim EanaKim Hyeong-seok 3:07
2. "The Thing I Do Slowly" (느리게 하는 일; Neurige Haneun Il)Choi Gap-wonPeejay, Min Woong-shik 4:13
3. "Good Day" (좋은 날; Joeun Nal)Kim EanaLee Min-soo 3:53
4. "The Night of the First Breakup" (첫 이별 그날 밤; Cheot Ibyeol Geunal Bam)Yoon Jong-shinYoon Jong-shin 4:26
5. "Alone in the Room" (혼자 있는 방; Honja Itneun Bang)Choi Gap-won, IUJeon Seung-woo 3:58
6. "Merry Christmas in Advance" (미리 메리 크리스마스; Miri Meri Keuriseumaseu, featuring Thunder)Choi Gap-wonShinsadong Tiger, Choi Gyu-seong 4:28
7. "Good Day (Instrumental)"  Kim EanaLee Min-soo 3:53
Total length:
 26:38

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[5] 2

Monthly charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[6] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[7] 33

Awards and nominations

Annual music awards

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2010
5th Cyworld Digital Music Awards
Song of the Month – December "Good Day" Won
2011
20th Seoul Music Awards
Bonsang Award (Main Prize) Won
Record of the Year in Digital Release Won
3rd MelOn Music Awards
Song of the Year "Good Day" Won
Top 10 Artists IU Won
13th Mnet Asian Music Awards
Best Female Artist Nominated
Best Vocal Performance – Solo "Good Day" Won
2012
9th Korean Music Awards
Song of the Year Won
Best Pop Song Won
Female Musician of the Year (Netizen Vote) IU Won

Music program awards

Song Program Date
"Good Day" Music Bank (KBS) December 24, 2010
December 31, 2010
January 7, 2011
The Music Trend (SBS) December 19, 2010
December 26, 2010
January 2, 2011
M! Countdown (Mnet) December 23, 2010

Release history

Region Date Format Edition Label
South Korea December 9, 2010 CD, digital download Standard Edition LOEN Entertainment
CD+DVD Special Limited Edition
Worldwide[8] Digital download

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Sales for both standard and special limited editions are combined.[3]

References

  1. ↑ IU releases her new album, “REAL”. Allkpop. Retrieved on 2012-3-13.
  2. ↑ Update: IU to release 3rd mini album "Real" on December 9th. koreaboo. Retrieved on 2012-3-13.
  3. ↑ Sales references for Real:
  4. ↑ (Korean)
  5. ↑ "South Korean Gaon Chart: Album – December 19, 2010 to December 25, 2010". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  6. ↑ "South Korean Gaon Chart: Album – December 2010". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "South Korean Gaon Chart: Album – 2011". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Real by IU". iTunes Store. Retrieved 24 November 2013.

External links

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