IU has once again proven her unmatched ability in the remake genre with the release of 'Kkot-Galpi 3', the third installment in her acclaimed cover series.
Released at 6 PM on May 27th KST, the album quickly swept major Korean music charts within an hour of its release. Every track charted on platforms like Melon, Genie, and Bugs, with the title track 'Never Ending Story' taking the No. 1 spot on all three.
'Kkot-Galpi 3' is IU’s reinterpretation of beloved classics, combining her signature warmth and lyrical voice. This marks her return to the 'Kkot-Galpi' series nearly eight years after 'Kkot-Galpi 2' in 2017, and her first new release since her sixth mini-album The Winning in February 2024.
The Kkot-Galpi series has long been cherished for bridging generations through music, with previous hits like "Autumn Morning", "Meaning of You", and "Sleepless Rainy Night". This latest installment has also received praise for maintaining the essence of the original songs while adding IU’s unique emotional depth.
The title track Never Ending Story is a remake of the beloved ballad by legendary rock band Boohwal, reimagined with IU’s tender vocals and a refined arrangement by producer Seo Dong Hwan.
The album also includes a variety of tracks such as "Red Sneakers", "October 4th", "Last Scene (Feat. Wonstein)", "Mi-in (Feat. Balming Tiger)", and "Square’s Dream".
The music video for "Never Ending Story", released via YouTube, has also garnered strong attention—surpassing 1 million views within just 7 hours and ranking high on the platform’s “Trending Music” chart. The video is an official homage to the classic Korean film Christmas in August, with IU herself starring alongside actor Heo Nam Jun. The video was directed by Lee Rae Kyung, known for IU’s previous hits "Palette" and "Through the Night, "adding to the project’s emotional resonance and visual beauty.
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