The ongoing backlash against IU has resurfaced due to the controversy surrounding her song “Zeze” from the 2015 album Chat-shire, intensifying in the wake of criticism over the historical inaccuracies in the drama Perfect Crown. International forums have once again brought up IU’s past, revisiting sensitive topics that were initially addressed years ago but have now become hotly debated, fueled by newly surfaced evidence and impassioned arguments among fans and critics. This renewed attention has led to a complex situation where the singer’s past artistic choices are being reinterpreted, sometimes in a way that diverges significantly from her original intentions.

The central point of contention is the song “Zeze,” inspired by the character Zeze from the Brazilian novel My Sweet Orange Tree by José Mauro de Vasconcelos. In the novel, Zeze is a five-year-old boy enduring abuse from his family, who forms a close bond with an orange tree. IU wrote the song from the perspective of the orange tree, including lyrics such as “Zeze, climb up the tree / Kiss the leaves / Don’t fool around / Don’t hurt the tree, bad, bad” and “Look at those blushing cheeks / Like bloomed flowers / You’re innocent, but so clever / So naive like a child / But so dirty.” At the time of the release, the combination of these lyrics with album artwork depicting Zeze in fishnet stockings and suggestive poses prompted immediate outrage, as many perceived these elements to sexualize a child.

IU, who was 22 when Chat-shire was released, clarified that her artistic intention was to explore the paradoxes of Zeze’s character, who is simultaneously innocent and capable of cruelty. Her use of the word “sexy” to describe the character, however, contributed to further misinterpretation and fueled public scrutiny. The controversy escalated when Dongyok Publishing, which had produced the Korean translation of My Sweet Orange Tree, criticized IU’s interpretation and expressed concern about the potential sexualization of the child character. In response, IU issued a public apology, emphasizing that she had never intended to sexualize a minor and accepting responsibility for any misunderstanding, especially regarding her use of the word “sexy” in relation to the character.

Despite this clarification, the resurfacing of the controversy alongside the Perfect Crown debate has reignited public outrage. Netizens are revisiting the issue, often without considering IU’s explanation or the context in which the song was written. Social media screenshots show polarized reactions: some individuals express disgust and condemnation, citing the music video imagery and lyrics as evidence of inappropriate content, while others defend IU, arguing that “Zeze” is a metaphorical reflection of her personal experiences as a young woman in the entertainment industry, highlighting her early exposure to predatory behavior and the trauma she endured.

Fans who defend IU stress that the song conveys her own experiences of being sexualized and infantilized, rather than an actual sexualization of a child. They argue that the deeper themes and symbolic interpretation of Chat-shire were misunderstood or deliberately misconstrued by critics who were unaware of her history. Some emphasize that IU’s artistic expression was an exploration of personal pain, identity, and the complexities of growing up in an industry where minors are often preyed upon by adults. Supporters underscore that the backlash she now faces is disproportionate, as it misrepresents the intent behind her work and overlooks the fact that she publicly apologized and addressed the controversy at the time.

Moreover, fans have voiced concern about the intensity of the online harassment, including death threats and extreme accusations, which they describe as a disturbing escalation fueled by a mixture of misinformation and opportunistic criticism. Many point out that critics are exploiting IU’s past for sensationalist purposes, turning her previous apology into a reason to dehumanize her, rather than engaging with the actual context of her artistic expression. They argue that the negative response to Perfect Crown has been conflated with the Chat-shire controversy, creating a compounded public backlash that unfairly targets IU as both an artist and a person.

In this environment, supporters emphasize the importance of recognizing the nuances in IU’s work and experiences. They call for critical reflection and caution before jumping to conclusions based on selective interpretations, urging the public to consider both her artistic intent and the context of her personal history. While IU’s song “Zeze” sparked controversy a decade ago, the renewed focus on it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by artists whose personal experiences are deeply intertwined with their creative output. Many argue that the situation demonstrates how quickly public discourse can spiral into character assassination, and how essential it is to separate malicious narratives from genuine artistic exploration, particularly when the artist has already confronted and clarified their intentions publicly.

Ultimately, the renewed scrutiny of IU’s past work reflects a broader tension between artistic freedom, public perception, and the persistent influence of online discourse. While some continue to view the song “Zeze” as inappropriate, a significant portion of the fandom and cultural commentators stress that it represents a complex and metaphorical engagement with trauma, highlighting IU’s vulnerability, courage, and personal narrative as a young artist navigating an often exploitative industry. The controversy underscores the delicate balance between creative expression and public interpretation, as well as the need for nuanced discussion that acknowledges both the context and the lived realities behind controversial artistic works.