Irene (birth name: Bae Joo-hyeon) is the leader, rapper, singer, and actress of the South Korean girl group Red Velvet under SM Entertainment. A member of the sub-unit IRENE & SEULGI, she is also active as an actress and presenter. On November 26, 2024, Irene made her solo debut with her first mini-album, Like A Flower. p> h2>Introducing Irene ul> li> Stage Name: Irene (아이린) Full Name: Bae Joo-hyeon (배주현) Date of Birth: March 29, 1991 Place of Birth: Daegu, South Korea Zodiac Sign: Aries — Chinese Zodiac Sign: Goat Height: 160 cm (off.) / 158 cm (approx. actual)
Biography and Career
Irene was recruited in 2009 through a public audition by SM Entertainment and was part of the pre-debut team SM Rookies. She made her official debut with Red Velvet on August 1, 2014 with the single Happiness.
Outside of the group, she has distinguished herself as a host (Music Bank alongside Park Bogum in 2015-2016, Laundry Day, Trick & True) and an actress (web drama The Female Employees of a Game Company). In 2024, she made her solo debut with Like A Flower. p>
Interesting Facts
Family and Early Life
- Family: Parents + one younger sibling.
- She came to Seoul in her third year of high school to become an artist.
- Graduated from Haknam High School.
Personality and Nicknames
- Nicknames: Baechu (Cabbage), Hyun-ah, Grandma, Eomma (Band Mom).
- Known for her shyness and seriousness; Some trainees found her difficult to approach because of her Daegu dialect and her beauty.
- Close friends with Solar (MAMAMOO) and Sehun (EXO).
Likes and Habits
- Loves to cook seaweed soup for the members' birthdays.
- Doesn't like chicken (she gets sick from eating it) or coffee.
- Likes soft, relaxing music, rock, and ballads.
- Favorite color: purple 💜.
- Favorite number: 43 (for "I love you" → 143).
- She likes to organize her thoughts using mind maps and collects journals/notes. purple.
Career & Collaborations
- Starred in the MVs: Henry "143", SHINee "Why So Serious".
- Hosted Music Bank with Park Bogum (2015-2016).
- Main actress in the web drama The Female Employees of a Game Company.
Special Features
- Very flexible (the most flexible of Red Velvet).
- Able to imitate Doraemon's voice.
- Suffers from acrophobia (fear of heights/acrophobia).
- She is a perfectionist, strict about grammar and spelling.
- Favorite clothing style: Loose shirts and outfits simple/comfortable.
Awards & Rankings
- Ranked 71st in "The 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2016" (TC Candler).
- Ranked 55th in 2017.
- Ranked 41st in 2018.
Dorm Life
Irene previously shared a room with Seulgi and Wendy. She currently has her own room in the new dorm.
Ideal Type
Irene has stated that her ideal type is a warm person who can make her feel comfortable.
Discography & Solo Projects
- Like A Flower — 1st solo mini-album (November 26, 2024).
