After topping Korea’s ten major music charts with the new remake album “Flower Bookmark” released at midnight May 15, IU, dubbed the “Queen of Tunes,” held her first small scale concert “Just One Step…That Much More” on May 22.

IU held the concert at Mary Hall, Sogang University, in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and gave a live performance of all seven songs on the album: the title track “My Old Story,” “Flower,” “Pierrot Smiles at Us,” “When Love Passes,” “The Meaning of You,” “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Kung Dari Shabara.” Thrilled by her perfectly delivered live performance, the audience erupted in loud cheers and applause. IU made the most of the small venue by engaging in direct conversations with her audience and preparing special events for them. The small but heartwarming stage allowed her to communicate her music to the audience at an intimate level. She performed various genres colored with her own musical tones and shone on the stage as a one-of-a-kind female songwriter and vocalist.

Jong-hyun of SHINee made a special appearance at IU’s first small scale concert. Close friends in the Korean pop scene, Jong-hyun and IU demonstrated their friendship through witty conversations and musical harmony. As difficult as it had been to get tickets that were sold out in ten minutes, the audience responded loudly to every word IU said and sang in unison from the beginning of the concert. When the quieter, more poignant numbers started, the fans held their breath, and some even shed tears as they listened.

Even after all the songs of “Flower Bookmark,” the remakes of previous songs, and the surprise events had come to an end, the audience members remained in their seats, soaking in the lingering ambience.
IU’s small scale concert series “Just One Step…That Much More” had a successful start on May 22. IU will continue to meet her fans every Thursday through to Sunday until June 1 at her small concerts that present a large impression.