The 31-year-old was selected on Tuesday as the country's No. 1 artist as part of the American music magazine's inaugural "Global No. 1s Series," which highlights leading artists from around the world.
Billboard praised IU for her versatility. "From making music to acting on screen, IU can seemingly do it all — and she commands unparalleled love and support from K-pop fans and the broader Korean music community," it said.
The magazine also noted IU's widespread popularity, with her music beloved by both K-pop fans and other music enthusiasts, and her appeal spanning generations, as demonstrated by her musical achievements and live performances.
Billboard highlighted IU's recent success with her hit song "Love Wins All," which climbed to the top of the country's largest music-streaming site Melon's chart just an hour after its release, maintained a four-week streak at the top, and claimed the number one spot on the monthly chart for February.
Meanwhile, IU is set to star in Netflix' upcoming series "When Life Gives You Tangerines," which is expected to begin filming early next year. Its exact release date has not yet been decided.
She gained attention for supporting her fans during last week's rallies calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after his botched declaration of martial law earlier this month. She provided hand warmers, snacks, and other essentials at five locations near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
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