Ship

G-Dragon & IU

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G-Dragon

About G-Dragon & IU

G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong, leader and main rapper of BIGBANG) and IU (Lee Ji-eun, solo artist) are two of South Korea's most acclaimed and influential musicians, and their cross-group friendship has fascinated fans since they appeared together on the MBC variety show Infinite Challenge in August 2015 for the Yeongdong Highway Music Festival. Their most significant public collaboration came in April 2017, when G-Dragon was featured on the title track of IU's critically acclaimed album Palette, writing and delivering a rap verse. IU has said she asked G-Dragon for the feature because he is 'laid back and kind-hearted,' and that his rap exceeded her expectations. The collaboration was a massive hit, debuting atop the Gaon Digital Chart, and is considered one of IU's signature career moments. Both artists are known for having small, close-knit social circles. They reconnected at IU's concert in 2024, their first meeting in roughly seven years, and in March 2025, G-Dragon appeared on IU's YouTube talk show 'IU's Palette.' During the episode, IU brought up a pre-interview in which G-Dragon had mentioned feeling 'awkward,' and he immediately clarified he did not, saying their dynamic had only grown closer. The two performed a special 2025 rewritten version of 'Palette' together. Fans who follow this pairing celebrate it as one of K-pop's most genuine industry-friendship stories.

This is primarily an industry-friendship ship admired for the caliber of both artists. Fans appreciate the authenticity of their low-key, mutual-respect dynamic rather than frequent public interaction. The ship gained renewed attention following the 2025 IU's Palette reunion episode and the special 2025 version of the song.

Fun facts

✦ G-Dragon and IU appeared together on MBC's Infinite Challenge in August 2015, as part of the Yeongdong Highway Music Festival.
✦ G-Dragon was featured on IU's April 2017 album Palette title track, one of IU's biggest career milestones, debuting at number one on the Gaon Digital Chart.
✦ IU said she invited G-Dragon to feature because he is 'laid back and kind-hearted,' and that his rap exceeded her expectations.
✦ Both are known for having small, close-knit social circles, which fans say makes their documented friendship more meaningful.
✦ In March 2025, G-Dragon appeared on IU's YouTube talk show 'IU's Palette,' and the two performed a special 2025 rewritten version of their hit song together.

Moments

2025-03

IU's Palette Reunion

G-Dragon filmed an episode of IU's YouTube talk show 'IU's Palette,' their first shared screen time after roughly seven years. IU brought up G-Dragon having mentioned 'awkwardness,' and he clarified warmly that he did not feel that way. The episode concluded with a special 2025 rewritten version of 'Palette' performed together.
2017-04

Palette Album Feature

G-Dragon was featured on the title track of IU's album Palette, released April 21, 2017, delivering a written rap verse. The song debuted atop the Gaon Digital Chart and is considered one of IU's signature works.
2015-08

Infinite Challenge Music Festival

G-Dragon and IU appeared together on MBC's Infinite Challenge as part of the Yeongdong Highway Music Festival, held on August 13, 2015. IU later said this encounter influenced her decision to approach G-Dragon for her album Palette.