Red Velvet

Red Velvet, a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment, has been a vibrant force in the K-pop industry since their debut on August 1, 2014. The group initially debuted with four members: Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Joy. Yeri was added to the lineup in March 2015, following the release of their first extended play (EP), "Ice Cream Cake." The group's music is a dynamic blend of K-pop, R&B, electropop, and dance-pop, reflecting their dual concept of "Red" and "Velvet." The "Red" side showcases their bright, bold pop sound, while the "Velvet" side delves into smoother, R&B-influenced tracks.

Formation and Early Career

The formation of Red Velvet began as early as 2007, with Seulgi being the first member to join SM Entertainment as a trainee. Irene, Yeri, Wendy, and Joy were cast in the following years through various auditions and scouting methods. The group's pre-debut activities included appearances in music videos and solo projects under SM Rookies, a pre-debut training team by SM Entertainment.

Debut and Rise to Prominence

Red Velvet made their official debut with the single "Happiness" in 2014, which was notable for its urban Europop sound mixed with a strong synth and African tribal beat. The group quickly gained attention for their unique sound and vibrant energy. Their second digital single, "Be Natural," featured a rap verse from then-SR14B member Taeyong and was a remake of a 2000 single by S.E.S., SM Entertainment's first girl group.

Breakthrough and Musical Evolution

The addition of Yeri in 2015 coincided with the release of their first EP, "Ice Cream Cake," marking a significant breakthrough for the group. The title track achieved commercial success, and the group began to solidify their place in the K-pop industry. Their first studio album, "The Red," released in September 2015, received critical acclaim and topped the Billboard World Albums Chart and South Korea's Gaon Album Chart.

Critical Acclaim and Awards

Red Velvet has received numerous accolades throughout their career, including the Golden Disc New Artist Award, the Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Female Group, and the Korean Music Award for Best Pop Song. They have been recognized both domestically and internationally for their influence and popularity, being named one of the most popular K-pop groups by Time and Billboard.

Recent Activities

In recent years, Red Velvet has continued to release successful albums and singles, including their "The ReVe Festival" trilogy and the EP "Queendom." Their music has consistently topped charts, and they have embarked on several tours, both in South Korea and internationally. Despite challenges, such as Wendy's hiatus due to injuries, the group has remained a beloved and influential figure in the K-pop scene.

Members

• Irene (Bae Joo-hyun): Leader, main rapper, lead dancer, vocalist, visual.
• Seulgi (Kang Seul-gi): Main dancer, lead vocalist.
• Wendy (Shon Seung-wan): Main vocalist.
• Joy (Park Soo-young): Lead rapper, vocalist.
• Yeri (Kim Ye-rim): Sub vocalist, sub rapper, maknae.

Discography

Korean Studio Albums

1. The Red (2015): Marking their first full-length release, this album showcases the vibrant and energetic "Red" side of Red Velvet with hits like "Dumb Dumb."
2. Perfect Velvet (2017): A deeper dive into their "Velvet" concept, featuring the hit single "Peek-A-Boo," blending R&B with their unique pop style.
3. The ReVe Festival: Finale (2019): A compilation that concludes the "The ReVe Festival" series, highlighted by the chart-topping single "Psycho."
4. The ReVe Festival 2022 - Feel My Rhythm (2022): Continuing the festival theme, this album mixes classical music elements with pop, led by the single "Feel My Rhythm."
5. Chill Kill (2023): The latest addition to their discography, "Chill Kill" further showcases Red Velvet's musical diversity and growth. The album debuted at number one in Korea, with significant chart positions globally, including Australia and Japan. It has sold over 607,326 copies in Korea, earning a 2× Platinum certification from KMCA.

Japanese Studio Albums

1. #Cookie Jar (2018): Red Velvet's debut Japanese EP, featuring a mix of new songs and Japanese versions of their Korean hits.
2. Sappy (2019): Their second Japanese EP, continuing to blend original Japanese tracks with versions of their Korean successes.
3. Bloom (2022): Their first full-length Japanese album, "Bloom" includes Japanese versions of Korean hits and new songs, showcasing their versatility and appeal in the Japanese market.

Notable Extended Plays (EPs)

• Ice Cream Cake (2015)
• The Velvet (2016)
• Russian Roulette (2016)
• Rookie (2017)
• The Red Summer (2017)
• Summer Magic (2018)
• RBB (Really Bad Boy) (2018)
• The ReVe Festival: Day 1 (2019)
• The ReVe Festival: Day 2 (2019)
• Queendom (2021)
• The ReVe Festival 2022 - Birthday (2022)