Singer and actress IU has sparked a wave of excitement among fans after sharing a new set of Instagram selfies, one of which appears to be taken inside a recording studio — hinting at the possibility of a long-awaited musical comeback.

On April 29, IU posted 17 photos to her personal account with the caption, “May is coming.” The gallery featured a mix of behind-the-scenes snapshots, candid moments, and radiant barefaced selfies. But it was one specific photo — IU wearing a headset and looking focused in what resembles a recording studio — that immediately set social media abuzz. Fans quickly speculated that the image signals new music on the horizon.

The timing adds fuel to the fire, as IU has been riding high on the success of her recent acting projects. She currently stars in the Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, portraying Ae-sun, a spirited young woman from Jeju Island who dreams of becoming a writer. Her nuanced performance has earned widespread praise and positioned her as a serious contender at the upcoming 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, where she’s nominated for Best Actress. The ceremony takes place on May 5.

While IU has not confirmed any comeback plans, fans are hopeful that the cryptic “May is coming” message hints at a new release this month — possibly a single or even a full album.