The Winning

The Winning is the sixth extended play by South Korean singer-songwriter IU, released on February 20, 2024, through Edam Entertainment. It is her first release since the EP Pieces in December 2021. The EP was preceded by the single "Love Wins All" on January 24, 2024. The follow-up "Holssi" was released on February 16, while "Shopper" was released alongside the EP on February 20, 2024.

Background
After the release of Lilac, IU began working on her next album. In February 2023, she said that the album would be about the feeling of wandering, but later in September she stated that the direction of the project had significantly changed and that the album's main theme would be desire.

IU appeared on BTS member Suga's talk show Suchwita in December 2023, where she hinted that her then-upcoming EP would contain songs about her age.

Promotion
The lead single "Love Wins All" was issued on January 24, 2024, along with its music video. IU officially announced the EP on January 29, 2024, posting a 21-second teaser clip containing close-ups of the singer "accompanied by sombre music", showing her with bleached blonde hair and wearing a red outfit. She is also shown spraying a red-colored spray at the camera before appearing in front of a green background. The track listing of The Winning was revealed on February 5, confirming "Shopper" and "Holssi" as the EP's second and third singles, and guest appearances from NewJeans' Hyein, Wonsun Joe, and an undisclosed narrator on the third track "Shh..".