''The Winning'' is the ninth extended play by South Korean singer-songwriter IU, released on February 20, 2024, through Edam Entertainment. It is her first release since the EP '' Pieces'' in December 2021. The EP was preceded by the single " Love Wins All" on January 24, 2024. The follow-up "Holssi" was released on February 16, while " Shopper" was released alongside the EP on February 20, 2024.

Background

After the release of ''Lilac'', IU began working on her next album. In February 2023, she said that the album would be about the feeling of wandering, but later in September she stated that the direction of the project had significantly changed and that the album's main theme would be desire. IU appeared on

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member

Suga Min Yoon-gi (; born March 9, 1993), known professionally by his stage names Suga (; stylized in all caps) and Agust D, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter and record producer. He debuted as a member of the South Korean boy band BTS in June ...

's talk show ''Suchwita'' in December 2023, where she hinted that her then-upcoming EP would contain songs about her age.

Promotion

The lead single " Love Wins All" was issued on January 24, 2024, along with its music video. IU officially announced the EP on January 29, 2024, posting a 21-second teaser clip containing close-ups of the singer "accompanied by sombre music", showing her with bleached blonde hair and wearing a red outfit. She is also shown spraying a red-colored spray at the camera before appearing in front of a green background. The track listing of ''The Winning'' was revealed on February 5, confirming "Shopper" and "Holssi" as the EP's second and third singles, and guest appearances from

NewJeans NewJeans (), also known as NJZ (), is a South Korean girl group formed by ADOR, a sub-label of Hybe Corporation, Hybe. The group is composed of five members: Minji (singer), Minji, Hanni (singer), Hanni, Danielle Marsh, Danielle, Haerin, and H ...

Hyein Lee Hye-in (, ; born April 21, 2008), known mononymously as Hyein, is a South Korean singer and former child model. She began her musical career at nine years old as a member of the South Korean children's groups U.sso Girl and Play with Me Cl ...

, Wonsun Joe, and an undisclosed narrator on the third track "Shh..".

Reception

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...

''s Rhian Daily wrote that, "Minor stylistic faults aside – and with a gigantic year ahead for one of Korea's foremost talents – on her first document of a new decade, IU soars high and free and stays winning.

Background

Promotion

Reception

Accolades

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References