8 Best K-Dramas Starring IU You Need to Watch

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - IU may be known around the world as a chart-topping singer, but she has also quietly built one of the most impressive acting careers in Korean entertainment. Through a wide range of K-dramas, from sweeping historical romances to quiet, emotional slice-of-life stories, she has shown a depth and versatility that few expected. Her natural screen presence and ability to disappear into every role she takes on have won the hearts of fans far beyond South Korea.

If you are ready to explore IU's acting career, this list is a great place to start. Here are eight K-dramas starring IU that are truly worth your time.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Rakuten Viki

The first on our list is one of IU's most iconic roles to date. Written by the renowned Hong Sisters and directed by Oh Choong-hwan, this fantasy drama follows Jang Man-wol, the sharp and mysterious owner of a hotel that only ghosts can check into. Cursed to run the hotel for centuries because of her past sins, Man-wol's world begins to change when a new human manager, Koo Chan-sung, played by Yeo Jin-goo, walks through its doors. IU's portrayal of Man-wol is magnetic, effortlessly blending coldness with deep emotion.

Where to Watch: Netflix, The Roku Channel, Rakuten Viki

Starring IU alongside the late Lee Sun-kyun, this quiet and deeply emotional drama follows Lee Ji-an, a sharp but guarded young woman struggling with debt and a troubled past. She crosses paths with Park Dong-hoon, a middle-aged engineer trapped in a loveless marriage and a dead-end job, and an unlikely bond slowly forms between them. Directed by Kim Won-seok, IU delivers what many consider her most powerful performance to date.

Where to Watch: Netflix

IU returns to Netflix in this beautiful and sweeping drama set on Jeju Island. She takes on a dual role: Ae-sun, a young woman with a dream of becoming a poet, and Geum-myeong, Ae-sun's daughter who looks just like her mother but carries a very different personality. The story follows the family's journey across decades, through love, loss, hardship, and resilience, with Park Bo-gum playing Ae-sun's devoted partner Gwan-sik. Directed by Kim Won-seok, the same director behind My Mister, this series became a global hit on Netflix shortly after it premiered in March 2025.

Where to Watch: Rakuten Viki

In this sweeping historical romance, IU takes on a dual role as Ha Jin, a modern woman who travels back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty and wakes up inside the body of a young girl named Hae Soo. Caught in the middle of a dangerous power struggle among princes fighting for the throne, she falls for the brooding fourth prince, played by Lee Joon-gi. IU handles the emotional weight of the story beautifully, portraying both the confusion of someone lost in time and the heartbreak of forbidden love.

Where to Watch: Rakuten Viki, Kocowa Amazon Channel, OnDemandKorea

This is where IU's acting journey began. In this feel-good music drama, she plays Kim Pil-sook, a shy and talented student at Kirin Arts High School who dreams of becoming a singer despite struggling with her self-confidence. Produced by Park Jin-young and Bae Yong-jun, the series features a star-studded cast that includes Kim Soo-hyun, Bae Suzy, and Ok Taec-yeon. IU's role may not be the lead, but her warmth and natural charm stand out, making Pil-sook one of the most lovable characters in the show.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Unlike anything else on this list, Persona is a collection of four short films, each directed by a different acclaimed Korean filmmaker. Every film presents a different version of IU as a character, allowing her to explore a wide range of personalities, emotions, and stories in just a handful of episodes. It is a unique and artistic project that highlights IU's versatility as a performer. If you want to see how much range she truly has as an actress, this anthology is well worth watching.

Where to Watch: Rakuten Viki, OnDemandKorea, Kocowa Amazon Channel

Directed by Lee Jae-sang, this warm and heartfelt family drama gave IU her first starring role on television. She plays Lee Soon-shin, the youngest daughter of a loving family who feels overshadowed by her more successful sisters. After her father's sudden death, Soon-shin faces one hardship after another, including being tricked by a swindler. Her luck changes when she meets Shin Joon-ho, an ambitious entertainment CEO played by Jo Jung-suk, who sees potential in her. IU's natural and endearing performance earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the 2013 KBS Drama Awards.

Where to Watch: OnDemandKorea, Kocowa Amazon Channel

Rounding out the list is this romantic comedy co-starring Jang Keun-suk. The story follows Dokgo Ma-te, a strikingly handsome but self-serving man who must date ten different women in order to uncover his father's identity. IU plays Kim Bo-tong, a bright and lovable girl who has had a long-standing crush on Ma-te since high school. Her role is light and fun, a refreshing contrast to some of her more serious work. Directed by Lee Jae-sang, Jung Jung-hwa, and Shin Yong-hwi, IU's charming performance in this series earned her a nomination at the 2014 Seoul International Drama Awards.