IU returns after 10-day break as presenter at ‘5th Blue Dragon Series Awards’
IU returned to the stage as a presenter at the ‘5th Blue Dragon Series Awards’ after a roughly ten-day pause from public activities.
The ceremony was broadcast live on KBS 2TV on July 31 KST. IU joined Ju Ji Hoon onstage to hand out the Best Actor award.
Before presenting, IU said the moment brought back memories of the prior year.
She added that last year’s award had given her strength for the year that followed.
Park Jin Young explained:
“I thought I wouldn’t be nervous today, but standing here reminds me of last year, and my heart is pounding,”
“The strength I received from the award last year helped me work incredibly hard throughout the past year,”
This appearance was IU’s first official public engagement since she announced a temporary suspension of activities about ten days earlier.
On July 20, EDAM Entertainment said IU’s chronic patulous Eustachian tube condition had recently worsened. The agency stated that her concerts set for September at Goyang Stadium, later performances, and the release of her sixth full-length album were postponed.
IU also communicated directly with fans via a fan communication platform, saying she might have overexerted herself over recent years and did not sufficiently consider her physical condition.
She noted that medical experts advised her to refrain from performing for now and promised to focus on treatment so she could return in good health as soon as possible.
Despite still being on a temporary break, IU presented with a calm demeanor and a warm smile. Fans reacted with relief and happiness at seeing her and continued to wish her a full recovery.