Red Velvet’s enduring appeal comes from the group’s duality: the bright, experimental “red” and the smooth, R&B-leaning “velvet.” Since debuting in 2014 and expanding to five members in 2015, the quintet has built one of K-pop’s most distinctive discographies while each member cultivated strong individual careers in music, acting, and fashion. Below is a complete, easy-to-reference breakdown of the members covering profiles, ages, roles, notable facts, height order, and an unofficial fan-based popularity snapshot.

Full Profile of Red Velvet Members

Before diving into each profile, it’s worth noting that Red Velvet’s charm lies in how different each member is. From Irene’s elegant leadership to Yeri’s youthful energy, every personality adds a unique layer to the group’s chemistry. Their individuality has helped Red Velvet stand out as one of K-pop’s most versatile girl groups, capable of mastering both vibrant pop and sultry R&B concepts.

Irene (Bae Joo-hyun)

Birthday: March 29, 1991 (age 34)
Roles: Leader, Main Rapper, Lead Dancer, Sub Vocalist, Visual, Center
Quick Bio: Irene debuted with Red Velvet in August 2014 and later formed the first sub-unit with Seulgi. She’s also active as an MC and actress.
Facts:
1. Film/Acting: Lead role in the movie “Double Patty.”
2. Sub-Unit: Part of Red Velvet, Irene & Seulgi (released “Monster”).
3. Hosting: Notable stints include music and variety programs.
4. Reputation: Frequently cited as one of K-pop’s standout visuals and brand ambassadors.
5. Training: Was part of SM Rookies before debut.

Seulgi (Kang Seul-gi)

Birthday: February 10, 1994 (age 31)
Roles: Main Dancer, Lead Vocalist
Quick Bio: Renowned for elite performance skills and an artful stage persona, Seulgi also leads in solo music and creative collaborations.
Facts:
1. Solo Debut: Dropped the mini album “28 Reasons” with the title track of the same name.
2. Sub-Unit: Half of Red Velvet, Irene & Seulgi (“Monster,” “Naughty”).
3. Versatile Performer: Celebrated for crisp lines and musicality as a dancer.
4. Creative Range: Frequently explores darker pop and R&B concepts in solo work.
5. Early Trainee: Among the first revealed in SM Rookies.

Wendy (Shon Seung-wan)

Birthday: February 21, 1994 (age 31)
Roles: Main Vocalist
Quick Bio: The powerhouse voice of Red Velvet, Wendy balances emotive belts with pristine control. She’s also an active radio and TV personality.
Facts:
1. Solo Debut: Mini album “Like Water” highlighted her rich tone and ballad sensibilities.
2. Vocal Reputation: Known for range, stability, and OST features.
3. Multilingual and Global: Spent time in North America during her studies, aiding English-speaking schedules.
4. Resilience: Returned to the stage with impact after a significant 2019 injury hiatus.
5. Group and Unit Work: Performs in Red Velvet and special SM stages.

Joy (Park Soo-young)

Birthday: September 3, 1996 (age 29)
Roles: Lead Rapper, Sub Vocalist
Quick Bio: Joy’s bright tone, confident stage presence, and acting credits make her one of the group’s most visible all-rounders.
Facts:
1. Solo Release: Remake album “Hello” (2021) charted well with retro-pop warmth.
2. Actress: Starred in dramas like “The Liar and His Lover,” “Tempted,” and more.
3. Fashion and Beauty: A frequent guest at major fashion weeks and brand events.
4. Personality: Known for candid variety moments and a lively onstage charisma.
5. Not SM Rookies: The only member not unveiled as part of the pre-debut trainee team.

Yeri (Kim Ye-rim)

Birthday: March 5, 1999 (age 26)
Roles: Sub Vocalist, Sub Rapper, Maknae
Quick Bio: Joined Red Velvet in March 2015. Beyond music, she’s active in acting and beauty projects.
Facts:
1. Acting: Took the lead in the web drama “Blue Birthday” and continues to pursue screen roles.
2. Variety and Hosting: Has MC experience and strong on-camera ease.
3. Songwriting: Participates in lyrics and creative projects.
4. Gen Z Pull: Popular among younger fans for her relatable social media presence.
5. Growth Arc: Known for evolving vocals and stage confidence since joining.

Height of All Red Velvet Members

Joy – 167–168 cm (commonly listed as ~167 cm)
Seulgi – ~161 cm
Wendy – ~159–160 cm (some listings note ~160.3 cm)
Irene – ~158–160 cm
Yeri – ~158–160 cm

Note: Official and “real” figures can differ slightly by source, the ordering above reflects widely cited fan and media measurements.

Popularity of Red Velvet Members

Member popularity in Red Velvet naturally shifts by era, release cycle, and solo schedules. However, looking across long-running fan polls and community data, a pattern often emerges:

Seulgi and Joy frequently trade the top two spots thanks to Seulgi’s performance reputation and Joy’s high visibility in dramas and fashion.
Irene and Wendy commonly sit mid-top tier, buoyed by Irene’s leadership and visual fame and Wendy’s acclaimed vocals and solo discography.
Yeri consistently draws strong support, especially among Gen Z fans and casual viewers who discover her through acting and variety.

A more data-driven snapshot (as of October 2025)
To give the fan trends more context, here are broad indicators that often correlate with member buzz. These are not definitive, but they help illustrate how interest ebbs and flows over time.

Social Following (Instagram): Joy (~14M), Seulgi (~12M), Irene (~11.3M), Yeri (~10.7M), Wendy (~8M). Social counts move with comeback activity, fashion weeks, drama releases, and variety exposure.
Brand Reputation Headlines: Individual member placements in Korean Business Research Institute monthly lists tend to spike around solo releases, drama leads, or viral stages. Group-level brand index also rises during comeback months.
Streaming and Search Spikes: Red Velvet’s group Spotify monthly listeners sit in the multi-million range, and member-name search interest tends to jump around major comebacks, sub-unit drops, and high-visibility solo schedules.
Fan Polls and Communities: International polls on forums and social platforms often mirror the above, with Seulgi and Joy vying for #1, Irene and Wendy holding strong mid-top positions, and Yeri surging during acting or brand moments.

Indicative Unofficial Popularity Ranking (global, multi-signal blend):

Seulgi or Joy (often interchangeable at #1–#2)
Irene
Wendy
Yeri

Popularity can change quickly as viral fancams, hit OSTs, or lead drama roles often shift the rankings for weeks. Popularity is dynamic and reflects the current direction of fan attention rather than a permanent hierarchy.

Roles of Red Velvet Members

Irene – Leader, Main Rapper, Lead Dancer, Sub Vocalist, Visual, Center
- On stage: Commands center during intros and outros, crisp and elegant movement style.
- In songs: Delivers rhythm-locking rap lines and low-to-mid harmonies, often opens tracks or bridges concepts between “red” and “velvet.”
- Concept fit: Polished, refined presence that elevates high-fashion or minimalist visuals.
Seulgi – Main Dancer, Lead Vocalist
- On stage: Choreo driver, clean textures, strong lines, and versatility across playful funk and moody R&B.
- In songs: Frequently handles pre-chorus lifts and ad-libs, reliable for tight harmonies and hook reinforcement.
- Concept fit: Darker pop and R&B, performance-heavy stages, sub-unit center of gravity.
Wendy – Main Vocalist
- On stage: Powerhouse belts with stable live technique, known for control, resonance, and empathetic delivery.
- In songs: Takes climactic chorus peaks, high harmonies, and emotional bridges, often the vocal spine of ballads and velvet-leaning tracks.
- Concept fit: OSTs, acoustic stages, and any arrangement that needs dynamic range.
Joy – Lead Rapper, Sub Vocalist
- On stage: Confident, camera-aware performer with a bright tone and strong presence, excels in trendy and retro concepts.
- In songs: Colorful rap verses and lighter vocal textures that brighten choruses, effective in call-and-response hooks.
- Concept fit: Fashion-forward, feel-good pop, and 90s or 00s-inspired remakes.
Yeri – Sub Vocalist, Sub Rapper, Maknae
- On stage: Agile, expressive performer who complements formations and adds playful energy.
- In songs: Harmonies, post-chorus tags, and rap inserts contribute to youthful tone and catchy codas.
- Concept fit: Web dramas, variety tie-ins, and Gen Z-friendly pop aesthetics.

How the roles work together

Red Velvet’s arrangement strategy layers Wendy’s high-register anchors over Seulgi’s steady mids, then textures Irene, Joy, and Yeri for color and character. Live, Seulgi leads the choreo engine while Irene stabilizes center focus, Joy and Yeri add brightness and movement, and Wendy powers the emotional crest. This balance is what lets Red Velvet switch from exuberant red hits to sultry velvet cuts without losing coherence.

Red Velvet’s Legacy In Brief A decade in, Red Velvet stands out for concept range, vocal layering, and consistently strong b-sides. The members’ solo and sub-unit ventures (Irene & Seulgi’s “Monster,” Wendy’s “Like Water,” Joy’s “Hello,” Seulgi’s “28 Reasons,” and Yeri’s acting path) reinforce the group’s influence in both music and pop culture.

That dynamism is why Red Velvet remains a gateway K-pop act for new listeners and a long-term favorite for seasoned fans. Whether you’re here for the red sparkle or the velvet sheen, this group and these five distinct artists deliver both.