“Nation’s Little Sister”, “Nation’s Sweetheart”, “Nation’s Daughter” — the South Korean singer and actress IU has been dubbed these heartwarming titles over her 18-year profession not with out purpose. Her nightingale voice and her versatile, masterful character portrayals have received over not simply generations of South Koreans, finally additionally catching the hearts of followers abroad — which solely begins to clarify why her influence as a number one inventive power of sincerity and authenticity is widespread and deeply affecting.
At present, she is formally including a brand new title to her listing of accolades as the latest world model ambassador of watch maison Jaeger-LeCoultre, becoming a member of a household that presently consists of trailblazers like Anya Taylor Pleasure, Jackson Yee, Kim Woo Bin, Zhang Ziyi and Lenny Kravitz. Learn beneath for an unique interview which may reveal simply why is the right addition to this distinguished listing.
When transferring between music, performing and storytelling, do you discover that every inventive house brings out a unique facet of you?
Sure, completely. On the core, each music and performing start with the identical factor: expressing one thing that comes from inside me. The distinction lies in how that expression takes form. With music, I have a tendency to attract extra immediately from my private experiences and feelings, whereas performing requires me to look past myself and totally inhabit a personality. Even so, each types of expression are rooted in who I’m.
Wanting again in your early years, what do you suppose has modified most in you, each as an artist and as an individual?
I’ve develop into extra relaxed. Over time, I’ve tried to be extra beneficiant to each myself and others, and I consider I’ve develop into higher at doing that.
After a venture like ‘When Life Offers You Tangerines,’ which carries a lot emotional depth, how do you create house earlier than deciding what comes subsequent?
I have a tendency to not take a lot time between tasks. I’ve at all times been somebody who likes to work, and I’m not superb at having fun with lengthy breaks. Whether or not it’s music or performing, I already take into consideration the subsequent transfer. I believe that’s why there are at all times feelings and lingering emotions that by no means totally depart me.
That function felt particularly intimate and grounded. Did the expertise stick with you personally after filming ended?
I believe it was a venture that helped me see life just a little extra fantastically. After spending a lot time as Ae-sun, I grew to become extra emotional, and even now, listening to the soundtrack brings again pictures of the village the place she lived. It was a very significant venture for me, which might be why it stayed with me for thus lengthy.
‘Good Crown’ appears to discover a really totally different tone and ambiance. What drew you to this new venture?
As ‘When Life Offers You Tangerines’ was such an extended venture that explored an individual’s total life in nice depth (two if you happen to rely the lifetime of Geum Myung), I believe I used to be craving one thing comparatively lighter and funnier. I additionally knew there have been many followers who wished to see me in a romantic comedy sequence once more.
From the lady who first stood in entrance of the general public to the lady you might be at the moment, do you’re feeling you have got modified steadily, or in deeper turning factors? How did you be taught to embrace these totally different variations of your self?
I believe it’s each. By way of my very own achievements, significant experiences, and durations of reflection, I’ve steadily develop into who I’m at the moment. Like most individuals, there are totally different sides of myself. Generally that may be exhausting, and typically it’s amusing. I believe these totally different sides are what retains life fascinating.
Have there been moments in your profession when uncertainty pushed you to develop in surprising methods?
Many occasions. Wanting again, certainty has been fairly uncommon for me. If I had stopped each time one thing felt unsure, I most likely wouldn’t have achieved a lot in any respect. Each time I really feel uncertainty, I merely take it as an indication that I’m making an attempt one thing new. Consolation brings peace, however uncertainty leaves tales behind. I believe concern that stems from uncertainty is a good supply of development.
What has success taught you about your self over time?
I’ve realised that I’m not somebody who naturally feels snug with success. Each time I obtain a aim, I instantly discover one thing else to fret about. I suppose that’s simply a part of my character. Success hasn’t essentially made me extra assured. I’ve merely continued doing my greatest whereas carrying a specific amount of stress with me. I’ve come to simply accept that that is merely how I’m.
Are there values or habits out of your early years that also information you at the moment?
I’ve at all times been an anxious particular person, so I want a number of effort and time earlier than feeling sure about one thing. I attempt to belief myself, however not an excessive amount of. As a substitute, I belief the time I’ve invested into one thing.
In the event you might communicate to your self on the very starting of your journey, what would you say?
“You’ll be cherished for all of the onerous work you’ve put in. However if you happen to ever start to suppose that you just deserve that love merely since you’ve labored onerous, it received’t final. At all times bear in mind how lucky you’ve been. In the event you do, you’ll proceed to work onerous.”
What does ‘The Hour Earlier than’ imply to you, the second when nobody is watching, however every part you have got labored for is about to return to life?
The lights haven’t come on but, there isn’t any applause, and I don’t know what the result shall be. It’s a second after I’m fully alone in my very own world. It may be uncomfortable and stuffed with uncertainty, however it’s additionally extremely thrilling: so long as I’ve no regrets in regards to the effort and time I’ve put in.
What first attracted you to Jaeger-LeCoultre?
As Jaeger-LeCoultre is a prestigious model, I had at all times recognized the Maison as a outstanding watchmaker even after I wasn’t notably acquainted with watches myself. As I grew to become extra occupied with watches, I discovered myself pondering of them at any time when I wished to offer a really significant reward to somebody I used to be particularly grateful for. And after a lot consideration, the model I selected most frequently was Jaeger-LeCoultre. What I discover most tasty is the best way Jaeger-LeCoultre expresses its values with confidence, with out ever feeling extreme.
Jaeger-LeCoultre locations nice significance on craftsmanship, precision and timeless model. What points of the Maison resonate most with you personally?
What resonates with me most is the thought of constructing one thing that lasts, slightly than chasing developments.
Like music or performing, watchmaking requires endurance and a spotlight to element. Do you’re feeling linked to that process-oriented means of making?
Talking for myself, there are definitely occasions after I want issues might be less complicated, or after I hope for a better path. However wanting again on my work, I can’t deny that the time, thought, and energy behind a chunk inevitably reveal themselves within the closing outcome. And greater than anybody else, the one who is aware of precisely how a lot effort went into one thing is the creator or performer themselves. Due to that, I perceive how vital endurance is in any inventive course of. In that sense, I love the best way Jaeger-LeCoultre approaches its craft with such dedication and craftsmanship.
Has your relationship with time modified through the years?
To some extent, sure. Prior to now, I felt pressured to make each second productive and significant. That always left me feeling stressed. Now, I attempt to settle for the time I’m dwelling by as it’s and be extra current. In some methods, I believe I’ve realized to get pleasure from life just a little extra.
Is there a specific Jaeger-LeCoultre watch that you just really feel particularly drawn to?
Positively the Reverso. I’ve at all times cherished its traditional design and distinctive magnificence, which is why it’s my favorite Jaeger-LeCoultre watch. Sporting it for this marketing campaign made me understand that it fits me slightly effectively, which made me comfortable. Anybody who appears good in a Reverso, is cool! Isn’t it?
What makes a collaboration really feel real and significant to you?
I believe the very best collaborations come from a spot of admiration and respect. I occurred to be at some extent the place I genuinely appreciated Jaeger-LeCoultre and wished to be taught extra in regards to the Maison. When the proposal for a collaboration arrived, the timing made the partnership really feel like destiny.
Do you bear in mind your first watch and what it represented to you at that second in your life?
I purchased my first watch in my twenties at a small vintage store within the Netherlands. It was an outdated watch with a skinny black leather-based strap, and I used to be drawn to it for some purpose. I wore it for years earlier than finally gifting it to somebody I cherished.
Your model usually feels elegant but easy. How would you describe your private method to model at the moment?
I worth wanting pure above all else. After all, there are events after I put on extra dramatic appears on stage. However personally, I favor styling that highlights the issues I like about myself slightly than reworking myself into somebody totally different.
Does your relationship with model change relying on whether or not you might be performing, performing or just dwelling each day?
Very a lot so. After I’m acting on stage, I costume in a means that greatest matches the music. For larger phases, that may typically imply styling that’s fairly daring and dramatic. After I’m performing, I believe completely from the attitude of the character. If the character wouldn’t care a lot about garments, jewelry, or magnificence, I’ll put on the identical outfit repeatedly, put on garments that look worn, and even select items that aren’t fairly my dimension. In on a regular basis life, I favor consolation. I like wanting neat but snug.
How do you often put on a watch: as a press release piece or one thing extra private and understated?
I often put on a watch as a refined assertion piece when the event feels particular or after I’m assembly somebody vital. For me, it’s an indication that I’ve put just a little additional thought into how I current myself.
When selecting a watch, what particulars naturally catch your consideration first?
Whether or not it’s a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch.
Past its sensible operate, what function do you suppose a watch performs emotionally or stylistically?
To me, a watch has develop into an emblem of ease and composure. I consider within the saying {that a} good watch leads its proprietor towards higher occasions and recollections. Even when it’s not costly, a well-chosen traditional and exquisite watch naturally attracts my consideration. A watch can reveal loads about an individual’s style and character.
This story first appeared on Mens Folio Singapore.
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