Irene’s Path from Trainee to Global Star
Photo: SM Entertainment
Irene is one of those rare K-Pop stars who seems to have it all. Best known as the leader of Red Velvet, she has carved out a space not just as a performer but as a creative force in the K-Pop industry. Over the years, Irene has grown from a trainee with big dreams to a multi-hyphenate artist respected for her music, acting, modeling, and personal storytelling.
Bae Joohyun, better known as Irene, is one of K-Pop’s most recognizable faces and a true icon. Hailing from Daegu, South Korea, she worked hard to perfect her Seoul accent before jumping into the intense world of K-Pop. Irene joined SM Entertainment back in 2009 and went through five action-packed years of training before finally getting introduced as part of SM Rookies in 2013. Just a year later, she debuted as the leader of Red Velvet with their debut single “Happiness,” setting off a career that would influence an entire generation of fans.
Red Velvet and the Sub-Unit with Seulgi
As the leader, main rapper, lead dancer, vocalist, visual, and center of Red Velvet (seriously, she does it all!), Irene has been a huge part of the group’s identity. Red Velvet is famous for their versatility, mixing bright, catchy pop tracks with darker, experimental concepts. Songs like “Peek-A-Boo,” “Red Flavor,” and “Russian Roulette” have shown off their playful side, while tracks like “Psycho” lean more dramatic and moody.
In 2020, Irene and Seulgi formed Red Velvet’s first sub-unit with the mini-album Monster - The 1st Mini Album, which turned heads with its mature, edgy vibe. Fans loved seeing a different side of Irene in that release.
They followed it up with the 2025 EP Tilt - The 2nd Mini Album, which Irene described as exploring “balance and growth.” She talked about how her dynamic with Seulgi was rooted in mutual support and understanding, making their partnership feel perfectly in sync.
Solo Projects and Artistic Growth
Outside of Red Velvet, Irene has really expanded her creative brand. She’s dabbled in acting, landing roles in the web drama Women at a Game Company and the film Double Patty, where she even contributed to the movie’s soundtrack. She’s also become a popular host on shows like Music Bank and Laundry Day, proving she can handle live TV just as well as she handles the stage.
On the musical side, Irene started releasing solo work that really reflects her personality. In 2024, she dropped the single “I Feel Pretty,” a confident yet introspective song that showed off her smoother vocal style and artistic maturity. Around that same time, she held her first photography exhibition and released a photobook titled “1 Page of Irene,” letting fans see the world through her eyes. Her photos focused on everyday beauty, nature, and calm moments — all themes that match her reflective personality.
Fans have noted how Irene’s solo projects give her space to show a more personal, vulnerable side compared to her Red Velvet work. Whether it’s through her music or her photography, she seems drawn to themes of self-growth, finding beauty in simplicity, and exploring inner peace.
Public Image, Influence, and Endorsements
Irene is basically a brand ambassador’s dream. She’s nicknamed the “CF Queen” thanks to her long list of endorsements, from luxury labels like Prada and Miu Miu to big beauty and lifestyle brands. Beyond her looks, people admire her for taking a stand on social issues, like when she read the feminist novel Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982 publicly, which sparked huge conversations in South Korea about women’s rights and gender roles. Even though it was controversial, it showed she’s willing to stand by what she believes.
Legacy and What’s Next
Now in 2025, Irene is still going strong. She’s balancing Red Velvet’s group activities, sub-unit comebacks with Seulgi, solo music projects, acting roles, and countless endorsements, a schedule that would make anyone dizzy. But what’s so impressive is how she continues to evolve, letting fans see new layers of her artistry over time.
From a determined teenager in Daegu to the leader of one of K-Pop’s most powerful girl groups, Irene’s story is all about resilience, growth, and staying true to herself. And whether she’s onstage performing, behind a camera capturing quiet moments, or in the studio working on her next track, you get the sense that Irene’s best chapters are still ahead.
Check Out These Songs
“Tilt”
“Naughty”
“Heaven”
“Bad Boy”
“BYE BYE”