Last weekend, IU was among a star-studded lineup—including BTS’s seniors, juniors, and close friends—who gathered at the Goyang concert to show their support for the group. She arrived early with her manager, dressed casually and wearing a mask and cap to avoid drawing attention. However, fans quickly recognized her.

Moments of her testing out an ARMY Bomb and chatting with her manager before the show began delighted fans, winning them over with her enthusiasm and support for the superstars.

Meanwhile, among female artists who have worked with BTS, IU is perhaps the most notable when considering both the number of collaborations and her friendships with more than one member of the group. First and foremost is her well-known close friendship with SUGA, as both were born in 1993. They first connected through music in their mid-20s, and SUGA has collaborated with her twice on major нιтs: “Eight” (2020) and “People Pt.2” (2023).

Next came the surprise appearances of j-hope and later V on the iconic talk show IU's Palette, where both BTS members displayed a warm and friendly dynamic with the singer. Notably, V shared that he and IU often keep in touch in real life, and fans have even spotted him at a fine dining restaurant with IU, 2AM’s Seulong, and actress Shin Se-kyung. Later, V also took on the role of the male lead in IU’s “Love Wins All” music video despite his tight schedule ahead of military enlistment.

Interestingly, despite her friendship with j-hope and multiple collaborations with SUGA and V, they were not the first BTS member IU thought of for a collaboration. RM was actually the first person IU wanted to work with—but it never came to fruition, as she revealed in a conversation with SUGA.

Specifically, before planning “Eight,” IU had the idea of collaborating with RM. She said: "I asked Yoongi if I could have RM's number. I think... It would've been soмєтнing really serious -Because mentally, at the time. I wasn't in the best place. I wanted to bring out those emotions in a song. So I asked you if I could have his number, and got it but I never called him".

IU explained that her hesitation stemmed from not having the courage to contact someone she had never spoken to before. “He's just a total stranger. I couldn't get up the courage to just call someone I didn't know at all. So anyway, in the end. I never called RM And after that, I just kind of ℓσѕт interest in doing that song,” she said.

As she continued developing the idea, IU felt it would be better to work with someone her own age, and she chose “the most suitable person”—SUGA, a talented producer and her close friend of many years. And that is how “Eight” was born!

Following IU’s revelation, ARMYs expressed regret over the missed opportunity for a collaboration between IU and RM, but also acknowledged that it paved the way for the now-legendary partnership between IU and SUGA. Some fans also pointed out that the original idea for the song remains unfinished, suggesting that perhaps in the future, when IU finds the inspiration and the courage, she might finally pick up the phone and call RM.

Even кσяєαn media outlets have published articles praising the remarkable compatibility that IU and RM could have if they were to collaborate musically. These analyses focus on their artistic synergy and shared aesthetic sensibilities. They describe IU and RM as artists who go against the trend of an “easy-listening era,” where "melo∂ιєs that are pleasant and unobtrusive have gradually grown larger than expansive, essay-like lyrics".

IU’s “Holssi” and RM’s “Wild Flower” are often cited as representative examples. A shared keyword between the two works is “dispersion.” When listeners follow IU’s latest album, they encounter another artist—RM. Meeting at the highest point, the two chose to abandon becoming flamboyant flowers, instead embracing dandelion seeds and wildflowers.

The long-delayed collaboration project between IU and RM is now receiving renewed support from both industry experts and fans. ARMYs have expressed high expectations, saying:

-  I'm just vibing to namjoon" wake up" rap & watching this tweet. definitely it would be superb if they Collab

- Would've been so amazing! But eight is genuinely one of my favorite songs ever, and I'll always be grateful for it

- Poor IU. we always see how namjoon is strong but a bit clumsy, giant, adorable koala. But i'm sure people who met him, saw a strong leader with clear understanding and virtues.

- Now i really want namjoon and iu Collab in 2026, SOTY please come on

- The more I think about it, the more IU and RM just make perfect sense together. Their music is so introspective and poetic—if they ever collaborate, it would be the kind of song that stays with you for a long time

- Namjoon is the best for such songs. Like his fave saying "true beauty is a true sadness". Kinda his brand(?) And his lyrics can make his listeners reflect on their lifes

- IU’s storytelling and RM’s lyrical depth feel like they’re on the same wavelength. A collaboration between them wouldn’t just be a нιт, it would be emotionally powerful and incredibly meaningful.

- We must get another collaboration in 2026, IU-ah, please, just get it