IU, also known as Lee Ji Eun, is reported to have earned over 30 billion KRW (approximately 22 million USD) last year according to a recent audit report from EDAM Entertainment. The total service fees paid to artists in 2023 amounted to 33.62 billion KRW, covering expenses such as appearance fees and performance settlements. The majority of these fees go directly to the artists themselves.

For instance, the label associated with NewJeans, ADOR, spent around 29 billion KRW on service fees in 2023, with 26.1 billion KRW believed to have been paid out to their artists after deducting other expenses. Considering EDAM Entertainment's total service fees, it is highly probable that IU received close to 30 billion KRW, being a significant contributor to the agency's income.

There are some additional costs like promotional and legal fees included in service fees, but they are usually minimal. It is suggested that agencies should be transparent about how much of the service fees actually go to the artists for better clarity in financial disclosures.

EDAM Entertainment, a subsidiary of Kakao Entertainment, saw total sales of 74.9 billion KRW and an operating profit of 6.1 billion KRW in 2023. IU, who holds a 22.5% share in the company, is a key figure in the agency's revenue, often being referred to as a "one-person agency."

Furthermore, IU is currently busy with her role in the Netflix series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines', solidifying her position as one of the most active artists in the industry. As part of her charitable efforts, IU has donated 200 million KRW (~136,254 USD) to support wildfire victims and firefighters.