IU renames new single ‘Love Wins All’ in response to queerbaiting allegations

K-pop artist IU has changed the title of her upcoming single from “Love Wins” to “Love Wins All” after a backlash from sexual minorities and fans alleging queerbaiting.

“We recognized that the original title of the single could blur the message of the song. We would like to respect and support everyone who loves and lives in various ways,” said Edam Entertainment, the agency representing IU, in a press release on Friday.

The agency revealed on Thursday the IU’s handwritten introduction of the upcoming single in which the singer-actor explained that “Love Wins” stems from her journey of overcoming hate directed at her with the love and support of her fans.

But the title, “Love Wins,” raised concerns about queerbaiting.

Queerbaiting is the practice of implying non-heterosexual relationships to engage or attract an LGBTQ+ audience without explicitly depicting such relationships or interactions, only to take advantage of and capitalize on the ambiguous possibility of LGBTQ+ representation.

“Love Wins,” is a hashtag that started trending in 2015 when the US Supreme Court announced its decision to guarantee the right of same-sex couples to marry.

The hashtag has since been used to commemorate the victory of marriage equality.

“If there is a word that is exactly the opposite to the message of the single, it would be ‘hatred.’ We sincerely hope that all love will win in a world without hate, and that the meaning of this song will be conveyed without hurting anyone,” the agency added.

“Love Wins All,” set for release on Jan. 24, is a much-anticipated single featuring V of BTS.

V also stars in the music video for the single.