Cha Eun-woo, Free Drinks, and Now This? IU’s Birthday Surprise Has Everyone Talking

When Life Gives You Tangerines star IU is once again showing just how big her heart is. Ahead of her birthday on May 16, the singer and actress is going all out for her fans with a heartwarming surprise: 8,300 cups of coffee, iced tea, and juice—all for free.

Birthday Café Event Across Korea

On May 14, IU’s agency EDAM Entertainment announced a special celebration for her birthday called ‘IU HBD CAFE’, inviting fans to enjoy complimentary drinks and gifts at select cafés in Seoul from May 15 to 18.

The event is open to official 8th-gen UAENA (IU’s fandom) members and will take place at three different locations:

Mapo-gu café: 400 drinks/day

Yongsan-gu café: 500 drinks/day

Seongdong-gu café: 300 drinks/day

Over four days, a total of 4,800 drinks will be given away. Fans will also receive IU-themed photo cards and bookmarks as part of the experience.

On May 16, fans can enjoy free beverages at 35 different cafés nationwide, with 100 drinks provided per location—regardless of fan club membership status. These locations span across the country, including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Changwon, Jeonju, and even Jeju Island, allowing fans from all corners of Korea to take part.

A Gift That Keeps on Giving: The Golden Hour Returns

To top it all off, IU will stream her iconic “The Golden Hour: Under the Orange Sun” concert—held at Seoul Olympic Stadium in 2022—on her official YouTube channel starting 7 PM KST on May 16. The concert drew massive attention at the time and will now be available again to celebrate her birthday and hitting 1 million YouTube subscribers.

“Let’s relive the heat and happiness of that day,” said her agency.

Comeback with ‘A Flower Bookmark 3’

IU isn’t just celebrating her birthday—she’s also preparing for her highly anticipated comeback. On May 27 at 6 PM KST, she’ll release her third remake album, Flower Bookmark 3. This marks her return to music after a year and three months since her mini-album The Winning in February 2024.

Flower Bookmark 3 continues IU’s beloved remake project, breathing new life into timeless classics with her signature warmth and lyrical voice. The first two albums, released in 2014 and 2017, were met with tremendous love—and fans are eager to see what she brings next after an 8-year hiatus from the series.

Cha Eun-woo Joins IU’s Music Video

Recently, IU’s agency also confirmed that Cha Eun-woo, one of Korea’s most beloved actors and idols, is starring in IU’s upcoming music video. Fans were stunned—and thrilled—at the news, which pairs two of K-pop’s most visually iconic stars. The video is expected to accompany a track from her highly anticipated third remake album, Flower Bookmark 3, which drops on May 27.

With Cha Eun-woo’s charming visuals and IU’s emotional storytelling, expectations are sky-high for what’s sure to be a stunning and sentimental piece.

IU Unboxes Her Diamond Play Button

IU also hit another huge milestone on her birthday—10 million subscribers on YouTube. To celebrate, she shared a special moment with fans by unboxing the coveted Diamond Play Button from YouTube, joining the elite club of Korean solo artists to achieve the feat.

The unboxing wasn’t just about numbers—it was about connection. IU thanked her fans (UAENA) for their unwavering support and promised to continue creating meaningful content, both musical and personal, on her channel.

A Birthday Full of Love, Legacy, and Loyalty

From fan events and global giveaways to emotional livestreams and musical collaborations, IU’s birthday was more than a celebration—it was a declaration of gratitude and growth.

Whether she’s pouring coffee for fans, teaming up with stars like Cha Eun-woo, or breaking YouTube records, one thing’s clear: IU isn’t just an artist. She’s a phenomenon.

And her story? Still just getting started.

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