Through sales of IU's 2nd album 'Last Fantasy' on iTunes, IU was ranked 3rd on the iTunes World Album chart. Upon receiving inquiries about promoting in the US, LOEN replies, "The US? We're still going to start from Japan..."
"While you're at it, would you consider debuting in the states as well?"
IU, who is preparing to debut in Japan next year, is receiving a lot of attention from the North American region. After releasing her 2nd regular album, without any special promotional activities and only through Youtube and other online media, it is extraordinary how Kpop fans in US and Canada have become acquainted with her music.
IU's music video for 'You and I', the title track of her album, was released on Nov 29th on Youtube and has garnered an exceptionally high number of hits in the US and Canada.
On Dec 4th, IU's "Last Fantasy" album was at 3rd position on the iTunes world album chart. Such popularity was unexpected. Over a phone conversation with IU's agency, LOEN Entertainment, it was revealed that they have been receiving persistent offers from both Korean and US concert companies that wish for IU to hold concerts or fanmeetings. Immediately after the release of her 2nd album, 4 American companies approached LOEN with such offers.
However, on LOEN's side, rather than expanding to debut elsewhere overseas, they intend to stick to their initial plan to focus on IU's Japan debut. In a phone conversation with Sports Donga on Dec 3rd, "Despite not having done any promotional activities there, the response from the US and Canada is beyond our expectations, leaving us both amazed and simply thankful". "However, IU will be taking her first step outside of Korea in January 2012 during her showcase in Japan. It still seems too early to have ambitions of debuting in the States from where we are here now."
IU will be holding her first showcase in Japan in January, hand in hand with EMI Music Japan, and also releasing her Japanese debut single in February. Currently, IU is studying Japanese diligently for her upcoming activities.
Translation: squishyblob @ weheartiu
Source: Sports Donga
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