[Edaily Starin Gim Ga Yeong Reporter] Singer and actress IU made her first public appearance since her symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction worsened.

At the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards held at Paradise City in Incheon on the afternoon of the 31st, last year’s winners Joo Ji-hoon and IU served as presenters for the Best Lead Actor and Actress awards.
IU said, “I thought I wouldn’t be nervous today, but standing here reminds me of last year, and my heart is pounding,” adding, “Last year, you became a hot topic for stomping your feet in joy—how do you feel about that?” Joo Ji-hoon replied, “I’m here to present the award today, so there’s no need to stomp my feet. I suppose that’s how great the joy of receiving this award was.”
IU continued, “Thanks to the award I received last year, I was able to live this past year with dedication. It’s an honor to be able to share this precious memory with others.” She added, “Over the past year, many actors have presented countless stories of life through their works. I laughed and cried a lot while watching them, so there are many productions that have left a lasting impression on me.”
Joo Ji-hoon highlighted the significance of the award, saying, “I believe good acting is the power to move people’s hearts with just a brief glance or a single breath. This occasion is meaningful to me because I can see just how much time and thought the actors have put into their work.”
Earlier, IU canceled her concert in Goyang scheduled for September due to a worsening of her eustachian tube dysfunction and also postponed the release of her new album. Subsequently, rumors of her breakup with Lee Jong-suk also surfaced.
Meanwhile, the Best Lead Actor and Actress awards went to Park Hae-soo for *The Scarecrow* and Shin Hye-sun for *Lady Dua*, respectively.
The Blue Dragon Series Awards is Korea’s first awards ceremony dedicated to streaming series content. The nominees, announced earlier, were selected from dramas and variety shows released on domestic and international streaming platforms between June 1 of last year and May 31 of this year.