IU perfected her smile by practising in front of mirror

South Korean star IU is a firm believer in “useumyeon bogi onda”, a Korean saying that means “when you smile, good fortune comes your way”.

- Joanne Soh Lifestyle Correspondent

“I feel my life has flowed in a better direction ever since I started smiling more,” the 32-year-old singer-actress tells The Straits Times via email.

IU, whose real name is Lee Ji-eun, adds that smiling in public was something she had to practise a lot.

“I tend to smile in my everyday life, but smiling in front of a camera or onstage is a different matter,” she says.

“When I debuted, I remember practising my smile in front of the mirror because it felt awkward. I think it was also because I lacked confidence back then.”

The K-idol, who made her debut in 2008, is famed for her bright, genuine smile. That has led to her being the first South Korean celebrity to front American personal care brand Colgate-Palmolive’s Asia-Pacific campaign for the Colgate Optic White Purple toothpaste.

The campaign, which launched in September, features IU promoting oral care as one of her beauty hacks.