- For other people known as 'Irene', see Irene.
Irene (Korean: 아이린; Japanese: アイリーン) is a South Korean singer, rapper, and actress under SM Entertainment. She is the leader of the girl group Red Velvet and a member of its sub-unit Red Velvet - Irene & Seulgi.
She made her solo debut with the mini album Like A Flower on November 26, 2024.
Career
Pre-debut
In 2009, Irene went with her friend to a SM Entertainment audition when she was in High School. Later that day, she received a call from SM Entertainment telling her that they wanted her to join the company. Irene recalls that she was on her way to get ddeokbokki when she got the call.[2]
Irene made an appearance in fellow labelmate Henry's music video for his song "1-4-3".[3]
2013: SMROOKIES
On December 9, 2013, Irene was revealed as a trainee under SMROOKIES, alongside Lami and Jaehyun.[4]
2014–2017: Debut with Red Velvet, solo activities
On August 1, 2014, she debuted as a member of Red Velvet with the digital single "Happiness".
Irene was the MC for the KBS music show Music Bank alongside Park Bo Gum from May 2015 to June 2016.[5] The two are known for their chemistry with each other and as being one of the most popular MC duos.[6] Irene made her acting debut in the web drama, Women at a Game Company, where she played the female lead Ah Reum. The drama aired from July 25, 2016 to August 1, 2016.[7][8] She played a detective on, Hello! Our Language which is a comedy show to help teach people proper Korean.[9] It was announced on October 14, 2016 that Irene would be one of the MC's for the Onstyle TV fashion variety show, Laundry Day.[10] The show aired from October 22, 2016 until January 7, 2017.[11]
2020: Debut with Red Velvet - Irene & Seulgi
On April 21, 2020, SM Entertainment confirmed that Irene and fellow member Seulgi would be debuting in the group's first sub-unit.[12] On May 26, the name of the unit and its debut mini album, Monster, as well as their official logo was revealed across Red Velvet's social media accounts.[13] The sub-unit officially debuted on July 6 with their first mini album Monster.
On July 16, SM Entertainment confirmed that Irene would be making her movie debut with a lead role in the upcoming movie "Double Patty".[14] Irene is set to play an aspiring anchor named Lee Hyunji.[15] The movie started premiering in theaters on February 17, 2021.[16]
2022: Irene Work & Holiday
On July 25, 2022, it was announced that Irene would star in her own web variety show, Irene Work & Holiday. Episodes will be posted on Seezn every Thursday and Friday at 6pm KST starting on August 4.[17]
2024: Contract renewal, solo debut with Like A Flower
On February 7, 2024, SM Entertainment announced that Irene renewed her contract with them.[18]
On May 8, SM Entertainment announced that Irene would be releasing her debut solo mini album in the third quarter of that year.[19] However, in a more detailed plan, the release appeared to have been pushed back to the fourth quarter.[20] On November 4, she released a teaser for Like A Flower, set for release on November 26.[21]
Other ventures
Photography
On April 3, 2024, it was announced that Irene will be holding her first solo photo exhibition, 1 Page of Irene, between April 26 and May 5.[22]
Personal life
Attitude controversy
On October 20, 2020, editor and stylist Kang Kook Hwa published a lengthy post on Instagram on an incident in which a female idol verbally attacked her. It was speculated that it was either Red Velvet's Irene or Seulgi as the post finished with the hashtags "Psycho" and "Monster".[23][24] On the 22nd, Irene posted an apology on Instagram on her behavior while SM posted a statement confirming the news and stated that Irene had personally met with the stylist to apologize.[25]
Discography
Mini albums
- Like A Flower (2024)
Features
OSTs
- "Double Patty OST" ("A White Night") (2021)
Exhibitions
Photo exhibitions
- 1 Page of Irene (2024)
Filmography
Films
- SMTown: The Stage (2015)
- Trolls World Tour (2020)
- Double Patty (2021)
Television dramas
- Descendants of the Sun (KBS2, 2016) - cameo
Web dramas
- The Female Employees of a Game Company (Naver TV, 2016)
- Irene Work & Holiday (Seezn, 2022)
Variety shows
- Music Bank (MBC, 2015–2016) - MC
- Laundry Day (OnStyle, 2016–2017)
- Music Bank World Tour: Singapore (KBS2, 2017) - MC
- Music Bank World Tour: Jakarta (KBS2, 2017) - MC
- Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards (2017) - MC
- KBS Song Festival (KBS2, 2017) - MC
- SBS Super Concert in Taipei (SBS, 2018) - MC
- KBS Song Festival (KBS2, 2019) - MC
Music video appearances
- Henry - "1-4-3 (I Love You)" (2013)
- SHINee - "Why So Serious" (2013)
- Kyuhyun - "At Gwanghwamun" (2014)
Endorsements
On August 28, 2023, 2ªN revealed Irene as the brand's newest muse.[26]
- NIKE Women Korea (2013)
- Burberry "Art of the Trench" Korea (2013)
- Ivy Club (with EXO) (2014)
- Swarovski Bracelets (with Seulgi) (2014)
- Rosemont Jewelry (with Seulgi and Yeri) (2016)
- Maxwell House Colombiana Coffee (2016–2018)
- NUOVO (2017–2019)
- Age Of Ring (2017)
- Hyundai Motors (2017)
- HAZZYS Accessories (2018)
- Cooper Vision (2018)
- Lemona Vitamin C (2018)
- Dongwon YangBan (with Wendy) (2018–present)
- Hite Jinro Chamisul Soju (2019–present)
- Miu Miu (2019–present)
- Damiani (2019–present)
- Clinique (2020)
- Prada (2020)
- 2ªN (2023)
Trivia
- She was a trainee for 5 years, joining SM Entertainment in 2009.[27]
- She is the most flexible out of the other members of Red Velvet.[28]
- She is the shortest member among all the members of Red Velvet.[29]
- Her favorite color is purple.[30]
- She can't eat chicken. She said whenever she eats chicken, she turns pale and her head starts hurting. She believes her body doesn't accept it.[31]
- She doesn't like coffee.[31]
- She was nominated for "The 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2020".[32]
- Irene donated 100 million won to Daegu Social Welfare Community Chest to help prevent and overcome the spread of COVID-19.[33]
- She is Red Velvet's fake maknae (she is very carefree, likes to create and make a mess and likes to talk in a baby voice with the other members of the group).[34][35]
Gallery
- Main article: Irene (Red Velvet)/Gallery
References
- ↑ 한류타임스: 레드벨벳 아이린
- ↑ Koreaboo: Here’s How Each Red Velvet Member Was Discovered, And Signed To SM
- ↑ Soompi: Henry Releases “1-4-3 (I Love You)” MV Featuring Amber of f(x)
- ↑ Soompi: SMRookies Reveals Three More SM Trainees, Lami, Irene, and Jaehyun
- ↑ (KR) Joongboo: 역대급 케미' 박보검·아이린, 뮤직뱅크 떠난다 24일 막방…후임은 누구? '관심 UP↑'
- ↑ Kbizoom: Park Bo Gum and Red Velvet’s Irene are called the legendary MC duo of weekly music show by netizens
- ↑ (KR) Naver: '컬투쇼' 아이린 "연기 재밌다..기회되면 계속 하고싶어"
- ↑ Soompi: Web Drama Starring Red Velvet’s Irene Surpasses 2M Views
- ↑ (KR) Naver: 레드벨벳 아이린, `안녕 우리말` 출격
- ↑ Koreaboo: Red Velvet’s Irene to MC fashion program “Laundry Day”
- ↑ (KR) Stoo Asiae: '런드리데이' 아이린 첫MC 도전, 엑소 시우민 옷장을 열까(종합)
- ↑ Soompi: Seulgi And Irene Confirmed To Debut As Red Velvet's 1st Unit Group
- ↑ @RVsmtown on Twitter (May 26, 2020)
- ↑ Soompi: Red Velvet’s Irene To Make Silver-Screen Debut In New Coming-Of-Age Film
- ↑ Soompi: Red Velvet’s Irene And Shin Seung Ho Share Thoughts As They Begin Filming For New Movie
- ↑ Soompi: Watch: Red Velvet’s Irene And Shin Seung Ho Head Toward Their Dreams Together In “Double Patty” Trailer
- ↑ (KR) Single List : 레드벨벳 아이린, 솔로 예능 워크앤홀리데이 25일 첫 공개
- ↑ Soompi: Red Velvet’s Irene Renews Contract With SM Entertainment
- ↑ Soompi: SM Entertainment Announces Comeback Plans For 2nd And 3rd Quarter Of 2024
- ↑ Soompi: SM Entertainment Details Plans For Upcoming Debuts And Music Releases In 2nd Half Of 2024
- ↑ Soompi: Red Velvet's Irene Announces Solo Debut Date With Gorgeous Teaser For "Like A Flower"
- ↑ (KR) Herald Pop: 레드벨벳 아이린, 데뷔 첫 단독 사진전 개최..화보집 출시까지(공식)
- ↑ Korea JoongAng Daily: Red Velvet's Irene, Seulgi embroiled in power abuse allegations
- ↑ Korea JoongAng Daily: Red Velvet's Irene, Seulgi embroiled in power abuse allegations
- ↑ Soompi: Red Velvet’s Irene Apologizes After Accusations About Her Behavior
- ↑ @2an_official_jp on Twitter (August 28, 2023)
- ↑ K-popped!: (Exclusive) Know More About SM Entertainment's Red Velvet!
- ↑ Koreaboo: Red Velvet Seulgi tried to mimic Irene’s flexibility and surprised herself with the result
- ↑ Koreaboo: 9+ K-Pop Idols With The Most Unexpected True Heights, According To Fans
- ↑ Koreaboo: The Touching Story Behind Why Red Velvet Irene’s Favorite Color Is Purple
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Koreaboo: Red Velvet’s Irene Hates Coffee and Fried Chicken, Does CF Anyways
- ↑ @tccandler on Instagram (April 26, 2020)
- ↑ (KR) Naver: (단독) 레드벨벳 아이린, 코로나19 성금 1억 쾌척…"힘내세요 대구!"
- ↑ KpopStarz: 20 K-Pop Idols Who Are The “Fake Maknaes” of Their Groups Due to Their Child-Like Aura
- ↑ Koreaboo: TOP 10 Female Fake Maknae Idols Voted By Fans
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