IU is the inspiration for so many idols for a reason. The heart in her music is so palpable. And “Twenty-three” captures that heart beautifully. The video follows both an Alice-in-Wonderland concept and a more standard K-Pop idol reflective concept to make something that feels totally unique. It captures the anxiety of trying to strike the balance between growing into adulthood and staying “innocent”, often at the behest of competing expectations. And the visual effects are pleasantly cheesy, but in a way that doesn’t feel unnatural, but surreal.