An interview and photo of IU from 2009 have surfaced online.

IU, who was attending her first year of high school at the time, talked about her activities as a singer, how she was managing her health, and her difficulties making celebrity friends.

She confessed, "I'm not the type of person who can smile in front of people I don't know. There are times I return from a morning schedule, and when I get to school, I just stare blankly. I think people who see me for the first time may think I'm a cold person [because of that]. Please don't misunderstand."

IU also revealed, "Because I'm not an outgoing person, I don't have close celebrity friends. There are sunbae singers who look after me, but I mostly just greet them."

She ended the interview with: "I'm now finished promoting my first full-length album. [I'll return with another album soon.] Everyone, take care of your health, and third year sunbaes, be strong!"

Netizens commented, "IU looked so cute", "She looks so different from now", and "How long ago was this? This is the best".