IU has kicked off a new era with her sixth mini-album.

Titled The Winning, the project was launched at 6 PM KST on 20 February. It is the South Korean singer-songwriter's first mini-album since 2021's Pieces.

The five-track project comprises the previously released ballad 'Love wins all' along with 'Shopper', 'Holssi', a collaboration with NewJeans' HYEIN, WONSUN JOE, and special narrator Patti Kim, titled 'Shh..', and 'I stan U'.

The release was accompanied by a mystical DPR Ian-directed music video for 'The Shopper', which stars the Australian artist alongside IU.

In the lead-up to mini-album's unveiling, IU also shared a music video for 'Holssi' and gave fans a glimpse at the short film for 'Shh..'. Set to be released at 6 PM KST on 23 February, the latter will star Chinese actress Tang Wei.

The Winning's launch precedes IU's 2024 H.E.R. World Tour, which will take the 30-year-old to Singapore, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, London, and more.

Before her latest comeback, IU had teased The Winning via a mood film, in which she can be seen sporting blonde locks and wearing an all-red dress.

IU [The Winning] Mood Film

IU 6th Mini Album [The Winning]
➫ 2024.02.20 6PM (KST)#아이유 #IU#TheWinning pic.twitter.com/Lqu8l0wDI9

— 아이유(IU) (@_IUofficial) January 29, 2024

The news came on the heels of the release of 'Love wins all', the EDAM Entertainment artist's latest single and first release of 2024. 

Unveiled on 24 January, the pre-release track was accompanied by a post-apocalyptic music video that stars IU, whose real name is Lee Ji-eun, alongside BTS' V.

The singer also announced that The Winning would come in two physical versions — I WIN and U WIN — and would be available via online K-pop album retailers from 3 PM on 31 January. 

IU 6th Mini Album [The Winning]
예약 판매 안내

📍 예약 판매일 : 2024.01.31 (수) 3PM ~
📍 예약 판매처 : 각 온라인 음반 판매 사이트
* 상세 구성은 예약 판매일에 공지 예정입니다.#아이유 #IU#TheWinning pic.twitter.com/W3pi5spb0N

— 아이유(IU) (@_IUofficial) January 30, 2024

Stream The Winning here: