IU releases new song 'From This Star' in Shanghai...J company's moves and fan greetings draw attention

Singer and actor IU was recently spotted on Nanjing East Road, a bustling street in Shanghai, China, drawing attention online. Videos and photos showing IU walking along Nanjing East Road with bodyguards and staff quickly spread through SNS and online communities. IU showcased a distinctive style wearing a burgundy ball cap, gray top, denim shorts, burgundy shoes, a shoulder bag, a white mask, and a colorful scarf. Fans and citizens who recognized IU at the scene were also seen taking photos with their cameras. It is known that IU visited Shanghai that day to attend a local brand event. IU participated in an event for the Swiss luxury watch brand J, where they serve as a global ambassador, and photos were released showing IU posing in front of a building with their large billboard. IU waved and greeted fans, and when asked for autographs, they put their hands together and showed an apologetic expression, demonstrating fan service, according to eyewitness accounts. One netizen said, ″I actually met IU on Nanjing East Road in Shanghai. I thought it couldn’t be IU, but it really was. It was like a scene from a movie.″ Another witness expressed surprise, saying, ″I never thought something like this would happen in Shanghai.″ Regarding IU’s appearance, some online communities spread baseless rumors and malicious comments related to IU’s nationality. Claims that IU is Chinese, that they are an ’agent of Chinese capital,’ or rumors that they returned to their home country for a break circulated. IU has consistently taken a strong stance against these malicious rumors and comments, and in 2024, won a defamation lawsuit against a malicious commenter who raised plagiarism allegations, receiving a damages award of 30 million won. Last year, IU filed criminal charges and civil lawsuits against 96 malicious commenters, resulting in fines, orders to complete sexual violence treatment programs, conditional suspension of indictment with education requirements, suspended prison sentences, and probation. Meanwhile, on the 10th at 6 p.m., IU released a new digital single titled ″From This Star″ on various music platforms. The new release includes the double title tracks ″From This Star,″ written by IU themselves, and ″Dear My Crazy Soulmate.″ The overseas composers who previously worked on songs like ″Flu″ and ″Celebrity″ participated again in ″Dear My Crazy Soulmate.″