On Friday, July 19th at 7:30 p.m., the atmosphere at State Farm Arena was electric as fans eagerly anticipated IU‘s “2024 IU HEREH World Tour” stop in Atlanta.
Fans from all demographics— families, friends, couples, individuals young and old— came out to see the celebrated singer. This was IU’s first time performing in Atlanta!
IU released her sixth EP The Winning in February. The hype to hear the new songs mixed with old favorites from the veteran singer’s successful career spanning nearly two decades generated much enthusiasm to buy a ticket for her concert.
Randomly scattered throughout the arena were gift packages from IU to her fandom, Uaena! Inside a little pink metal tin were two photo cards of IU, a cute keychain, and a button pin with her face on it looking (you guessed it) as cute as a button!
Part 1: Hypnotic
IU appeared on stage in a stunning, light blue, bejeweled dress worthy of her status as a pop princess. She kicked off the set with “Holssi,” followed by “Jam Jam,” “Ah puh,” “BBIBBI,” and “Obliviate.”
Each section of the concert was well thought-out maintaining a theme. For Hypnotic, she chose to perform fan-favorite songs that all had repetitive lyrics or a dreamy instrumental.
Sure enough, her voice was nothing short of mesmerizing and more beautiful than her already stunning appearance. The simplicity of her makeup emphasized her natural beauty as well.
Throughout this section, IU’s playful interactions with the audience were a highlight. She engaged in a friendly competition, teasing that stage right was louder than stage left, and promised to test which side would be the most hyped throughout the night.
Part 2: Energetic
For the beginning of Energetic, a theatrical interlude featured a child actor from Atlanta to set the stage for IU’s next songs. In this segment, IU donned a semi-schoolgirl jersey and white skirt and performed “Celebrity” and “Blueming” before the next talking MENT.
The translator did a fantastic job matching IU’s energy and tone, ensuring the audience stayed connected. IU entertained fans with her knowledge of English slang and compliments, charmingly trying them out calling the audience “lit” and “the G.O.A.T.”
IU’s small frame belies her powerful voice, which filled the vast State Farm Arena effortlessly. After “Blueming”, she gave a lucky fan a flower that she had brought onstage with her. She then performed “eight,” “Coin,” and “I stan U.” Another lucky fan was gifted IU’s lucky coin right before “Coin.”
Usually, artists will take a photo of themselves on stage posing with the audience in the back. State Farm Arena is quite large so it was a clever and considerate decision of IU to take a photo with each section of the audience. This further endeared her to the crowd, demonstrating her fan-centric approach.
To close out Energetic, IU went backstage for her outfit change and let the audience sing an instrumental version of “Heart”. During this time, the cameras frequently turned to the audience, showing everyone singing along and fostering a communal singing experience.
Part 3: Romantic
Dressed in a golden, flowing gown and tiara, IU transitioned into a more romantic setting with “Havana” and “Meaning of You.”
Here, she introduced her talented band members, acknowledging their contributions. Their accompaniment added a rich, dynamic layer to the performance without overshadowing her. IU encouraged fans to sing along, with lyrics displayed in romanization for those unfamiliar with Hangul.
Her research on the local culture was evident as she mentioned both Georgia peaches and blueberries, much to the audience’s delight. “Blueberry Moon,” a special version of “Strawberry Moon” with lyrics changed to honor Atlanta’s blueberries, was a touching gesture. With the background looking like a peaceful forest, IU encouraged the audience to sing along to “Through the Night”.
Part 4: Ecstatic
After a rather edgy interlude, IU came back out dressed in a stylish white top and long white skirt with white bows in her hair. She performed “Shopper” complete with multiple rounds of colored confetti.
Through her translator, she complimented the crowd saying how happy she was to see everyone dancing with her. “Wow! A ‘Shopper’ where everyone was dancing with me! It was a ‘Shopper’ that I’ve dreamed of!”
She then sang the soulful ballad, “Above the Time” against a backdrop of swirling stars and paired it with the old fan favorite “YOU&I” as they are connected in a storyline though nearly a decade apart. The last song of Ecstatic was “Love wins all” from her most recent EP, The Winning. This WTK writer may or may not have shed a tear during that one.
Encore: Heroic
IU returned in a silver, metallic, corset dress with elbow gloves for the official encore, performing a jazzy “Shh..,” perky “Twenty-three,” and a rock version of “Holssi.” She also said her thank yous and “official” goodbyes before heading backstage.
Fan Sing-Along and Encore
IU invited the audience to sing a cappella to “Through the Night” again before joining on stage in a casual outfit of oversized jeans and a tour shirt.
She was so moved by the fans’ chanting her name that she thanked them with a formal and traditional Korean bow of gratitude. She concluded the night with “Hold My Hand,” “LILAC,” and an acoustic version of “Palette.” Her second encore had a relaxed, after-party vibe, reinforcing her strong connection with fans.
Despite everything being meticulously scripted and organized, IU’s performance felt spontaneous and driven by audience interaction—a testament to her prowess as a seasoned show-woman and entertainer.
She made each attendee feel special, turning the concert into an unforgettable experience and making us at WTK finally be able to understand why her concerts are so in demand and sell out in Korea year after year.
IU still has two shows left in the U.S., so don’t miss out! Before returning to Seoul for shows in September, she will be performing in Oakland on July 30th and in LA on August 2nd. Get your tickets today on Ticketmaster!
WTK thanks IU, EDAM Entertainment, Live Nation, and Wonderwall for the opportunity to review this amazing concert!
Did you go to IU’s concert in Atlanta or you planning to see IU on one of her other stops? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting to us @whatthekpop1 or leaving us a comment on Facebook and Instagram!
ANN was introduced to Kpop and became a Baby in 2015. In addition to forever loving B.A.P, she also has respect and admiration for other groups and artists in the industry; too many to name. Having lived in Asia for a few years, she would be overjoyed to grab a cup of tea and sit down with you to share her cherished adventures. Art is her Life.
MEDIA: EDAM Entertainment