After starring in the Netflix hit When Life Gives You Tangerines, beloved K-soloist IU is returning to the music scene with her latest album, A Flower Bookmark, Pt. 3. In this project, the singer breathes new life into Korea’s iconic tracks. From the nostalgic Never Ending Story to the captivating A Beautiful Person — which comes with a music video featuring ASTRO's Cha Eun Woo — IU is carefully weaving the past and present. Read on to explore the stories behind these reinterpreted songs.
The queen is letting us into her K-classics playlist. (Photo from: facebook.com/iu.loen)
IU’s A Flower Bookmark: album instalments, hit songs, and more
A Flower Bookmark Pt. 3 is IU’s first cover album in eight years. The series started with Flower Bookmark (2014), where she reinterpreted nostalgic K-pop songs from the 1980s and 1990s. That album gifted fans with wonderful renditions of classics such as My Old Story and The Meaning of You. She followed up with Flower Bookmark 2 (2017), curating timeless hits spanning from the 1960s to the early 2000s. That project brought us the gentle and soul-soothing Autumn Morning and the retro-inspired Last Night Story.
IU singing ‘My Old Story’ with co-star Park Bo Gum.
Now, with Flower Bookmark Pt. 3, she continues the tradition, with a little twist. According to music critic Kim Do Heon, “While her earlier A Flower Bookmark albums focused on connecting with older generations, this one reflects IU’s personal tastes in both song selection and arrangement.”
IU’s concept photos paid tribute to the OG songs.
IU and her team took thoughtful steps to honour the original artists behind each song. They respectfully sought copyright approval and shared their plans to pay tribute to the original album visuals.
Ready to journey to the past with IU by your side? Let’s dive into the songs of Flower Bookmark 3 now.
A Flower Bookmark, Pt. 3: tracks, original artists, and meanings
IU’s Never Ending Story
The title track Never Ending Story is a reimagining of the 2002 classic by rock band Boohwal. IU once again partnered with composer Seo Dong-hwan — who was also involved in the hit Love Wins All — to deliver a tender and heartfelt rendition.
The music video has been creating buzz online for its homage to director Hur Jin-ho’s film Christmas in August (1998) which starred Han Suk-kyu (Dr. Romantic) and Shim Eun-ha. It centres on a quiet romance which takes place in a comic book shop. Heo Nam Jun (When the Phone Rings) is IU’s main lead in the video.
Add this to your playlist: when you’re reminiscing about someone you never got closure with. Following the original, the track opens with the instrumental tune of Some Day My Prince Will Come, but its message is no fairytale. Instead, it’s about a persona longing for something that ended too quickly.
IU’s A Beautiful Person (feat. Balming Tiger)
A Beautiful Person (feat. Balming Tiger) is IU’s remake of the 1974 song Beautiful Woman by Shin Joong-hyun & Yup Juns.
The music video brings the song to life with its surreal vibe. It depicts someone so beautiful, that his face is (literally) too bright to look at. Meanwhile, IU portrays someone in the background who admires him from afar. None other than visual king Cha Eun Woo appeared in the music video, whose face was only revealed towards the end, but it was enough to thrill the fans. The two also recently broke the internet by starring in a Chaumet campaign.
Fun fact: Cha Eun Woo and his group ASTRO also performed their own playful rendition of the song in 2017.
Add this to your playlist: when you’re admiring someone who seems to charm everyone, but you don’t want to admit it out loud. The song also has a whimsical and melodic vibe that suits IU’s voice so well and will have you humming it at random times during the day.
IU’s Red Sneakers
Red Sneakers feels as if it is something IU herself would have written and released during her teen years. Originally released in 2002 by Park Hye Kyung, it’s a cheerful and lighthearted track that feels like an opening song of a high school-themed anime.
Add this to your playlist: when you need an upbeat song to start your day or when you’re getting ready for a fun day out.
IU’s October 4th
October 4th was originally released by K-pop pioneer Seo Taiji in 2004. IU shared with the press that she interpreted “that girl” in the intro as a distant version of her younger self, and she sang it as if she were talking to her from where she is now.
Add this to your playlist: when you’re writing a letter to your younger self. It has a calming vibe and feels like a reminder that it will be all right.
IU’s Last Scene
IU’s new version of Last Scene features Wonstein and a fresh performance from the guitarist of Roller Coaster — the original South Korean modern rock and jazz band that released the song.
Add this to your playlist: when you’re unwinding and need a feel-good song
IU’s Square’s Dream
IU speaks to a new generation of fans with her joyful rendition of Square’s Dream, which feels as if it’s something a main character of a musical play would sing. It was originally sung by White in 1996. IU also released a cute teaser which features the block-building game Minecraft and a purple room designed by YouTube creator SleepGround.
Add this to your playlist: for a warm hug at the end of a mundane day.
Which song has stolen your heart?
(Cover photos from: facebook.com/iu.loen)
Speaking of Korean music stars, dive into the latest updates from BLACKPINK.
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