Let's talk about Chat-Shire, IU's Hidden Message album

Let's talk about Chat-Shire, IU's Hidden Message about the dark side of a Kpop idol life. Chat-Shire (stylized as CHAT-SHIRE) is the fourth Korean-language extended play by South Korean singer-songwriter IU. The self-produced EP was released digitally on October 23, 2015, and physically four days later by LOEN Entertainment under its imprint LOEN Tree.

It was her first original material release since Modern Times (2013). Following its release, the album was heavily controversial for the alleged use of Britney Spears' voice without permission in the bonus track "Twenty Three". IU embroiled in a lot of controversy. Although she did not compose the music for the song, IU issued an apology for not checking the samples' sources as the album's producer.

Furthermore, the lyrics for "Zezé" and its illustration on the album cover were criticized by the Korean publisher of the novel My Sweet Orange Tree for its reinterpretation of its five-year-old protagonist, Zezé. Amidst growing debate in the music community, the book's publisher later apologized for its failure to acknowledge the "diversity of interpretation"

Those who have read Brazilian writer José Mauro de Vasconcelos‘s book My Sweet Orange Tree (translated into English from the original Portuguese O Meu Pé de Laranja Lima) would already be familiar with the references to the story that appear in “Zeze.” The book is an autobiographical tale, in which the author conveys his own childhood experiences through the character of five year-old Zeze.

The story:

Coming from a poor family, Zeze grows up in stressful environment that deprives him of the level of affection and attention he craves. Zeze is also described as a prankster, which also leads to him receiving physically and verbally abusive treatment from his family, particularly his father. However, moving to a new house enables Zeze to find solace in the titular orange tree in his backyard (which he names Minguinho), before making a new friend. The owner of a very active imagination, Zeze believes the tree can talk to him. It is this aspect of the book IU used when she penned the lyrics for “Zeze.”

IU seems so lonely sometimes. I've been watching interviews of hers and I recently watched her performance on Gayo Daejun, and they've all changed my opinion about her. She seems to be going through a lot of internal turmoil, and Chat-shire was her way of expressing all of that. The industry has taken a huge toll on her, so she puts all that hurt into her songs. However, people have turned what was meaningful to her into something else, and I think that's the worst part of it. Her songs were her way of saying how she feels about her image and all the talk about her. And she can't fully explain what she meant in her songs because she doesn't want to sound like she's blaming or indicting anyone. She just wanted an outlet. I can tell she's more than upset over how Chat-shire was received, I mean, watch her performance on Gayo Daejun. She did wonderfully there, but she performed with rage. And that's not a bad thing. I think it's pretty hardcore. But I also think it's sad how angry she is. She has grown into such an expressive artist and a lot of people don't understand. I wish I could actually go up to her and say how sorry I am for misunderstanding her. Hopefully this year will be a better year for her

IU gave a similar answer regarding “Zeze” during the showcase for her album. But she used the word “sexy” in her answer, which created an uproar. The understanding became that IU was referring to Zeze as sexy; and referring to a child as sexy is a condemnable action. Many criticised IU’s choice of words, as well as her depiction of Zeze’s relationship with the orange tree. The lolita-inspired concept of Chat-shire was also connected to “Zeze,” via the lyrics and the depiction of Zeze on the album cover in a pin up pose and fishnets. Before you knew it, IU was being called a pedophile.

Read IU's respond below:
Hello. This is IU.

I was aware that there is a controversy surrounding my lyrics but it took me a long time to work up the courage to make my response. I am sorry that I am late in this.

First, I would like to apologize with the deepest sincerity to those that I hurt through my lyrics .

My Sweet Orange Tree is a very precious novel to me and I swear that I had no intention to portray a 5 year old child as a symbol of sexuality. The ‘Zezé’ in my lyrics is a completely different character that is only based on the content of the novel. However, I realized from the responses to my music that my lyrics could be offensive to some, and I also realize that I have hurt many people. This is all due to the fact that I was not adapt as a lyricist.

I realize that what I have said in an interview came as a shock to many. During the interview, I intended to say that Zezé’s core qualities, not young Zezé, is sexy. I was talking about the quality of his duality, not the 5 year old child himself. However, I understand and admit my fault in using the word ‘sexy’ when talking about a 5 year old child.

Also, as a producer of the bonus track ‘Twenty Three,’ I am to blame in not carefully checking the sample sources in mixing the song. Currently, we have requested that Britney Spears’s side confirm this track and plan to take action to clear the use of this sample.

I was very excited in producing my first album and I became greedy with the desire to be complimented. This gave rise to many mistakes and I would like to bow my head and apologize to those who I disappointed and hurt through this.