IU is truly winning in life! From being the "Nation's Sweetheart" to dating K-drama heartthrob Lee Jong Suk, the female idol also ranked in the richest female idols in 2021.

But did you know her story before achieving everything? Keep reading!

IU Net Worth 2023 Revealed Amid Dating News With Lee Jong Suk

On December 31 last year, it was announced that IU is officially dating actor Lee Jong Suk.

Amid this, their similar interest in real estate investment drew attention.

According to the Korean media outlet Money Today, the stars combined wealth surpassed 100 billion KRW, about 78.6 million USD.

Among the aforementioned amount, Lee Ji Eun, popularly known as IU owned 52.7 billion won alone (41.4 million USD) from properties.

In 2023, IU's estimated net worth ranges from 40 million USD to 45 million USD, including her revenues from music and acting.

With this amount of assets, SCMP hailed IU as the richest K-pop female singer as of September 2021. She bested former Fin.K.L Lee Hyori with about 46 billion won ($36.2 million), former 2NE1 Sandara Park ($28 million) as well as BoA and former Miss A Bae Suzy who both have $23 million.

According to recent reports, IU spent 13 billion won ($10.2 million) to buy a luxury villa in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul in CASH without a loan!

In her vlog, she unveiled her simple room from this villa for the first time, yet she truly surprised everyone after it was revealed that her bed alone costs 175 million KRW ($135,000)!

IU also has a studio in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, for 4.6 billion won (3.6 million USD).

Aside from the 13-B KRW villa, IU owns a second house in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, which is famous for actress Lee Young Ae's residence. The house was purchased for a total of 2.2 billion won (1.7 million USD) as a two-story rural house with a land area of 170 pyeong, and IU spent 800 million won ($630k) on it to purchase additional land around it. In other words, the second house alone cost a total of 3 billio$2.4 billion ($2.4 million).

From Cockroach-Infested House To Luxury Villa – IU's Life Before Being a Self-Made Millionaire

IU may be living a most-sought "queen-like" life, but the female idol truly suffered enough prior to achieving everything she had now.

Although IU's family wasn't really poor at the beginning, they suddenly fell into debt after facing unexpected financial difficulty.

Due to this, IU and her younger brother moved to their grandmother while their parents were working. The house was infested by cockroaches that's why they moved to a relative's house. Unfortunately, she suffered verbal abuse wherein she was criticized for her dream of becoming a singer.

Due to this, IU became more decisive to prove then she can debut and audition for multiple agencies, only to be scammed a few times.

With her passion and endurance, she finally debuted in 2008, but it was only after 3 years that she became widely known in the music industry for her song "Good Day," released in 2010. Finally, she was also able to pay all of their debts.

With all of her fame and wealth, IU remained down to Earth and is giving back to society through goodwill.

Such an inspiration!

For more K-Pop news, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson.