IU seems to be in trouble eyet again. The Perfect Crown star recently got embroiled in a backlash despite the success of the show. The singer-actress has now found herself in the middle of yet another online controversy, following the recent local elections in the country. She has not made any political statement on the issue but her social media accounts have become a battleground over online discussions after some internet users called on her to provide food and drinks for the demonstrators. This comes after her recent hit Perfect Crown, also starring Byeon Woo-Seok, faced rought weather over historical inacuracy leading to a petition to remove the show from the OTT all together.
How did IU become involved?
The controversy was sparked by the revelation that a number of polling stations ran out of ballot papers during the June 3 local elections. Some voters and groups questioning the election process staged protests.
Amid this, IU was on the radar of some social media users. On her Instagram posts she was getting hundreds of comments asking her to give coffee, snacks, bread and other goodies to people taking part in the protests.
Many of these comments made reference to a previous time when IU helped fans in 2024 that attended a public rally by providing pre-paid food and drinks. It included 700 meals, 200 loaves of bread, 200 beverages, 100 rice cakes, and 200 bowls of gukbap (soup with rice). That gesture back then led some users to say she should do the same thing for the current protesters.
Why is everyone talking about her past donation?
The requests come after a well-known act of support by IU at a rally attended by many of her fans. Her agency handled out food and drinks to those outside all day in cold weather.
The move was broadly welcomed as a gesture of concern to fans, not a political statement. But some internet users are now drawing parallels with the current protests, and questioning why similar support has not been provided. The comparison has sparked a torrent of comments on IU’s social media accounts, with some posts gaining thousands of likes and shares.
Fans defend IU
IU’s massive fanbase came out to support, calling the flood of comments online harassment. They claimed that IU is being unfairly dragged into a situation that has nothing to do with her. Many pointed out that her past behaviour was directed at her fans, and they should not make her get involved in other unrelated controversies.
As the conversation carries on, IU and her agency have yet to make an official statement regarding the demands appearing on her social media pages.