IU's tragic past received attention on 'TMI News'.

The July 21st episode of Mnet's 'TMI News' featured stars who overcame difficulties to achieve success, and singer-songwriter IU came in at #4. According to the show, IU's family faced financial difficulties after her mother co-signed a loan for a relative, who took off and left her family to deal with the bill. Life got so difficult for her family that all the furniture in their home was marked up by loan collectors.

IU had to separate from her parents to live with her grandmother while her parents worked, and their place is said to have been infested by cockroaches. The singer, her sibling, and her grandmother are said to have gotten by on baked potatoes. Later on, she had to live with extended family members, who did not treat her very nicely according to 'TMI News'.

Before her rise to stardom, the singer is known to have faced fraudulent contracts with agencies as well. Despite her difficult past, however, IU achieved success, becoming one of the top singers of recent years. Not only that, but her real estate assets are reported to amount to a total of 22.9 billion Won ($19,879,334.28 USD).

Take a look at IU's 'TMI News' segment above.