"Love Wins All" is a song by South Korean singer-songwriter IU, released on January 24, 2024, through Edam Entertainment as the lead single from her sixth Korean EP The Winning. It was written by IU and composed by Seo Dong-hwan, and is her first single as a lead artist since "Winter Sleep", released in December 2021. The music video, starring IU alongside BTS member V, was released on the same date. The song achieved a perfect all-kill on the South Korean charts and debuted atop the Circle Digital Chart.
Background
The song's title was initially announced as "Love Wins" on January 15, 2024,[1] before being changed by IU's label Edam to "Love Wins All" before release due to criticism that the title was already in use as a slogan to commemorate the United States legalizing same-sex marriage in 2015.[2]
Music video
The music video was released in conjunction with the song on January 24, 2024, and was directed by Um Tae-hwa.[3] It stars IU and BTS member V as a married couple in a post-apocalyptic world,[4] trying to survive as they recall memories from happier times.[3] IU explained that she first sent V the music, which he enjoyed, and as she had been in contact with him and was also looking for somebody to cast opposite her, asked him to star in the video after realizing he might suit the role.[3]
The video was criticized online for its depiction of disabilities, as IU is shown as having a hearing impairment and V as having a visual impairment. The pair find a camcorder through which they are able to view the other without their respective disabilities, which was considered to be "discriminatory" as it implies disabled people "admire and fantasize" about not having their disabilities.[5]
^Jeong, Won-hee (February 25, 2024). 아이유, 방송 출연 없이 '인기가요' 1위...트리플크라운 달성 [IU takes first place on ‘Inkigayo’ without appearing on TV...Triple Crown achieved] (in Korean). Celuv Media. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024 – via Nate.
^Yeon, Hui-sun (February 4, 2024). 아이유 출연 없이 '인가' 1위, (여자)아이들 완전체 컴백='슈퍼 레이디' [종합] [IU 'Inki' 1st place without appearance, (G)I-dle Complete Comeback='Super Lady' [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-yeon (February 18, 2024). 아이유, '인기가요' 출연 없이 1위..NCT 텐, 8년만 솔로데뷔[종합] [IU takes first place without appearing on 'Inkigayo'... NCT Ten, makes solo debut after 8 years [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024 – via Naver.
^Yoo, Soo-yeon (February 25, 2024). ‘인기가요’ 아이유 1위 차지...트라이비, 故 신사동호랭이 추모 '하얀 리본' 등장 [종합] [‘Inkigayo’ IU takes first place...Tri.be, appeared with ‘white ribbon’ in memory of the late Shinsa-dong Tiger [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Sung-yeol (February 1, 2024). '뷔 지원사격' 아이유 '엠카' 정상..(여자)아이들 '완전체' 컴백 [★밤TView] ['V Support Shooting' IU Tops M Countdown..(G)I-dle' 'Complete' Comeback [★StarTView]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024 – via Naver.
^2월 2주 <K-차트> 순위 [February 2nd week <K-Chart> rankings] (in Korean). February 9, 2024. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^Jung, Jin-young (February 4, 2024). "아이유, 선공개곡 '러브 윈즈 올'로 '쇼! 음악중심' 1위[TVis]" [IU, pre-release song 'Love Wins All' wins 1st place on Show! Music Core [TVis]]. Edaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Naver.
^Yoo, Ji-hee (February 17, 2024). 아이유, 출연 없이도 ‘러브 윈즈 올’로 ‘음중’ 1위 [IU takes first place in 'Music Core' with 'Love Winds All' even without appearing on the show] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lee, Ha-na (February 24, 2024). '음악중심' 아이유 부동의 1위, NCT 텐 솔로 데뷔→르세라핌 컴백[종합] ['Music Core' IU undisputed 1st place, NCT Ten solo debut→Lesserafim comeback[Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024 – via Naver.