Red Velvet’s Irene renews contract with SM Entertainment

Irene of Red Velvet. Image: Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Bae Joo-hyun, best known as Red Velvet’s Irene, has once again solidified her commitment to SM Entertainment as she renewed her contract with the South Korean music label.

Irene’s contract renewal was confirmed by SM in an official statement, per Korean media outlet Daum on Wednesday, Feb. 7, saying it was done with “mutual trust and partnership.”

“We renewed our contract with Irene following the contract renewal with Seulgi based on mutual trust and partnership,” said the agency, per a Soompi translation. “We will support her in various directions so that she can promote even more actively as a global artist, so please show lots of love and interest going forward.”

The K-pop star, on the other hand, said SM “made [her]” into the artist she is now, saying its staff had also been supportive since starting in the industry.

“I renewed out of trust for SM Entertainment, who made me who I am now, and the company staff with whom I worked together since my debut,” she said.

Irene also hinted that she will have “diverse activities” with her Red Velvet bandmates sometime this year although she didn’t disclose any details.

“I will impress with diverse activities with the members this year while having a grateful heart toward fans who always support Red Velvet,” she said.

Irene made her debut as the leader, visual, center, lead dancer, and vocalist of Red Velvet in August 2014. The five-piece act is also composed of Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri.

She also debuted with Seulgi in the group’s first sub-unit Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi in July 2020.