Biography of Irene
Bae Joo-hyun is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actress who is best known by her stage name, Irene. She was born on March 29, 1991, in Daegu, South Korea. She is the leader and main rapper of the popular K-pop girl group ‘Red Velvet’, which debuted in 2014 under SM Entertainment. She made her solo debut in 2021 with the mini-album ‘Monster’.
Early Life and Education
Irene was born on 29 March 1991, in Daegu, South Korea. She spent her childhood in Buk-gu with her parents and a younger sister. She attended Haknam High School in Daegu before joining SM Entertainment in 2009, where she underwent five years of training. While still in training, she made an appearance in a music video for Henry Lau’s song ‘1-4-3’ in August 2013, alongside her fellow labelmate.
Career
In 2009, Bae Joo-hyun joined SM Entertainment as a trainee, where she underwent intensive training in singing, dancing, and other skills required for a successful career in the entertainment industry. She trained for five years before making her debut as a member of ‘Red Velvet’, a five-member girl group that debuted in 2014.
‘Red Velvet’s’ debut single ‘Happiness’ received a lot of attention and helped the group gain a loyal fan base. Over the years, ‘Red Velvet’ has become one of the most popular and successful K-pop girl groups, known for their unique sound and concept. Bae Joo-hyun, who goes by the stage name Irene, is the group’s leader and main rapper, known for her powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence.
After debuting with ‘Red Velvet’ in 2014, Irene began to participate in various solo activities and sub-units. Between May 2015 and June 2016, she co-hosted the popular music show ‘Music Bank’ along with the actor Park Bo-gum. During their time as co-hosts, Irene and Park Bo-gum received significant attention for their great chemistry, as well as their impressive singing and hosting abilities. They were highly praised by the press, who referred to them as one of the best partnerships in the show’s history.
In 2016, she formed a sub-unit with fellow ‘Red Velvet’ member Seulgi, called ‘Irene & Seulgi’. The duo released their debut single ‘Monster’ in 2020, which was well-received by fans and critics.
In addition to her music career, Irene has also acted in several television dramas. In 2016, she made her acting debut in the web drama ‘The Female Employees of a Game Company’ and she has since appeared in other dramas such as ‘Fashion King’ and ‘Double Patty’.
She is also known for her fashion sense and has been recognized as a style icon in the Korean entertainment industry. She has been the face of various fashion brands and has been featured in several fashion magazines.
Overall, Irene’s solo activities and sub-unit work have showcased her versatility as an artist and have further solidified her position as one of the leading figures in K-pop.
Achievements
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With ‘Red Velvet’, she has won numerous awards including multiple Mnet Asian Music Awards, Seoul Music Awards, and Golden Disc Awards.
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As a member of ‘Irene & Seulgi’, the sub-unit debuted at No. 1 on the Gaon Album Chart with their mini-album “Monster” in 2020.
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In 2020, Irene became the first Korean female celebrity to reach 1 million followers on Instagram in just four hours and one minute, breaking the previous record held by actress Kang So-ra.
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She has been named one of the most beautiful and stylish idols in K-pop by various media outlets, including Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
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She has also been recognized for her acting skills, receiving the Best Rookie Actress award at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards for her role in the film “Double Patty”.
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She was selected as the face of Nuovo Shoes in January 2017, and later that year in August, she was chosen as the promotional model for the MMORPG Age of Ring. She also became the official endorser of the Hyundai Auto Advantage program in the same year.
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Irene was chosen to be the brand ambassador for Cooper Vision, a contact lens brand, on February 26, 2018.
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On May 3, Irene was appointed as the face of the renowned vitamin brand, LEMONA Vitamin C, and was honoured with the title of ‘human vitamin’.
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On August 9, it was revealed that Irene would be the exclusive model for the French sportswear brand Eider for the fall/winter 2018 and spring/summer 2019 seasons.
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In March 2020, she was appointed as the new ambassador for Clinique, a mid-range beauty brand, in the Asia Pacific region, as her global influence continued to expand.
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She became the latest brand ambassador for Prada on 17 September 2020.
Controversies
On 21 October 2020, Irene faced backlash for allegedly mistreating and verbally attacking a fashion editor, as claimed in a now-deleted Instagram post by the editor. Following this, Irene issued a public apology on her social media platform for her actions and words. SM Entertainment also released an apology statement addressing the incident and the concerns it caused.
This controversy sparked a larger conversation about the prevalent culture of abusive conduct and bullying by people in positions of power or seniority in South Korean society, commonly known as ‘gapjil’. The incident shed light on the higher standards and scrutiny placed on female artists, especially those in idol groups, compared to their male counterparts.
Several staff members who had previously worked with Irene came forward to defend her following the speculations and accusations about her mistreatment of a fashion editor. Some stylists, dancers, and make-up artists who had worked with her in the past posted on their Instagram accounts, stating that they had never experienced such behaviour from Irene.
They shared that she has a clear understanding of her vision and is talented in delivering her opinions, while also showing appreciation to her staff through handwritten cards and gifts. Former SM stylist and visual director, Ellena Yim also claimed that there are always two sides to every story and expressed disappointment that people only concentrated on one side of the story.
Personal Life
There is currently no public information available about Irene’s dating life. As a public figure, she has maintained a private personal life, so it is not known whether she is dating anyone or is currently single. She has not confirmed any romantic relationships publicly.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Irene’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $1.3 million USD.
Irene has a close relationship with her family, especially her younger sister. She mentioned in interviews that her family has always been supportive of her career. She is known to be close friends with other K-pop idols, including Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and BLACKPINK’s Jennie. In October 2020, she apologized for her past behaviour towards a stylist who worked with her during a photo shoot in 2016.
She expressed regret for her actions and acknowledged the hurt she caused. She has been open about her struggles with mental health and has encouraged fans to seek help if they are also struggling. She has shared her own experiences with anxiety and depression and has advocated mental health awareness.
When comes to her private life, Irene is known for her glamorous and stylish lifestyle. She is often seen wearing fashionable outfits and attending high-profile events. She enjoys reading and listening to music in her free time.
She has mentioned in interviews that she enjoys reading novels, especially mystery and suspense genres. She has also mentioned that she enjoys listening to a variety of music genres, including hip-hop, R&B, and rock.
When it comes to food, she has mentioned that she enjoys Korean cuisine, especially spicy food. She has also mentioned that she likes to cook and has shared some of her favourite recipes with fans.
Awards
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KBS Entertainment Awards 2015
Best Newcomer (Variety) – Nominated
Interesting Facts about Irene
- Irene’s real name is Bae Joo-hyun.
- She is the oldest member of ‘Red Velvet’ (born Mar 29, 1991). There is an age gap of 8 years between Irene and Yeri (the youngest member).
- She is the lead rapper of ‘Red Velvet’.
- She is left-handed.
- Irene’s hobbies include doing laundry and ironing.
- Her favourite scent is Downy (fabric softener).
- She is fluent in both Korean and English.
- She is known for her unique and captivating visuals, which have earned her the nickname ‘the nation’s leader of girl crush’.
- Irene’s stage name Irene comes from Eirene, the Greek goddess of Peace. The name was given to her by her trainer.
- Her role model is BoA.
- She can imitate Doraemon’s(a popular Japanese manga and anime series) voice.
- She has a fear of heights.
FAQs
- What is the relationship status of Irere?
Single. - How old is Irene?
31 years old. - What is the zodiac sign of Irene?
Pisces. - What is the Instagram ID of Irene?
@renebaebae
