Irene (Red Velvet) Biography: Profile, Background, Education, Net Worth 2025, and Career

Profile:

Stage Name: Irene (아이린)

Birth Name: Bae Joo-hyun (배주현)

Date of Birth: March 29, 1991

Age: 34 (as of 2025)

Birthplace: Daegu, South Korea

Due to her numerous sponsorship deals, Irene has earned the nickname "CF Queen" and is well-known for her leadership in Red Velvet and her graceful stage presence. According to SM Entertainment's imaginative branding for Red Velvet members, her emblem is a rabbit (formerly a cat), her fruit is a red-flesh watermelon, and her beverage is Pink Island Ice Tea.

Background:

Irene grew up in the Buk-gu neighborhood of Daegu, South Korea. She has a younger sibling and grew up in a close-knit household. Her parents encouraged her to follow her aspirations. Her mother worked side by side with her father, who had a small business, creating a modest yet caring atmosphere. Irene's passion in performing arts began early; at the age of eight, she enrolled in a music school to improve her singing and dance abilities.
Early on, Irene's beauty and talent attracted attention, earning her the nickname "Daegu Ulzzang," which refers to someone with a particularly gorgeous face. In order to pursue a profession in entertainment throughout her adolescence, she relocated to Seoul during her third year of high school. She initially came across as reserved among trainees due to her strong Daegu dialect, but she eventually adjusted to the typical Seoul accent. Irene gained the respect of both her peers and her admirers because to her quiet yet kind demeanor and her commitment.

Education:

Irene went to Daegu's Haknam High School, a public school with about 1,200 pupils. Although she had a strong interest in academics, during her high school years, her attention turned to her goals in the entertainment industry. She chose to focus on training under SM Entertainment after relocating to Seoul rather than going to college.

After a public audition in 2009, Irene trained for five years before joining SM Entertainment. She trained diligently, concentrating on performance, dance, and vocals. She was a member of the SM Rookies pre-debut squad and got her first break in 2013 by making appearances in music videos such as Henry Lau's "1-4-3 (I Love You)".

2025 Net Worth:

Irene is expected to have a net worth of about $4 million USD in 2025. Her endeavors with Red Velvet, individual endorsements, acting, and TV appearances are the sources of her riches. Although Red Velvet's combined estimated net worth exceeds $8 million, Irene's personal wealth is supported by her position as a "CF Queen," which has allowed her to land lucrative contracts with companies like Prada, Clinique, Miu Miu, Damiani, Hyundai Motors, and HiteJinro Chamisul.
Irene's financial status is still improved by her influence in the fashion and cosmetics industries.

Career:

Pre-Debut and Red Velvet Debut:

Irene's path to fame started in 2009 when she went to an audition with SM Entertainment with a friend. The agency was impressed with her potential, and she was hired as a trainee before joining the SM Rookies squad. She starred in music videos for labelmates including as Kyuhyun's "At Gwanghwamun" and SHINee's "Why So Serious" prior to her formal debut.
Irene made her debut as Red Velvet's main singer on August 1, 2014, with the song "Happiness." With their distinctive "red" (bold, pop) and "velvet" (smooth, R&B) themes, the group—which included Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and eventually Yeri—became well-known very fast. Since then, Red Velvet has put out two studio albums, eleven EPs, and singles like "Ice Cream Cake," "Dumb Dumb," "Russian Roulette," "Bad Boy," and "Psycho," solidifying their place as one of the leading K-pop acts in South Korea.

Sub-Unit and Solo Music:

Irene and Seulgi created Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, the group's initial subunit, in July 2020. Their critically acclaimed debut EP, Monster, revealed a darker, more dramatic side of their craft. A major turning point in Irene's career was reached on November 26, 2024, when she released the mini-album Like A Flower, her solo debut.

Acting Career:

Irene made her acting debut as Ah-Reum, the lead in the 2016 web drama Women at a Game Company. She starred as ambitious news reporter Lee Hyun-ji in her debut movie, Double Patty, in 2021. She also contributed to the OST "A White Night." She also starred in SMTown: The Stage (2015) and made a brief appearance in the popular drama Descendants of the Sun (2016). Her warmth and genuineness as an actor have won her accolades.

Television Hosting:

Irene's magnetism also shows on TV, where she co-hosted Music Bank with Park Bo-gum from May 2015 to June 2016. They were recognized as one of the show's top hosting pairs because of their chemistry. In addition, she was a panelist on Trick & True (2016), hosted Laundry Day (2016–2017), and hosted Irene’s Work & Holiday (2022).
Influence of Fashion and Endorsements
Irene, known as the "CF Queen," has promoted a wide range of companies, such as:
Luxury brands include Damiani (the first Asian muse), Miu Miu (2019), and Prada (2020, with EXO's Chanyeol).
Beauty: ILO by Dong-A Pharmaceutical (2025), 2aN (2023), Clinique (2020, Asia-Pacific ambassador)
Lifestyle: HiteJinro Chamisul, Maxwell House, Hyundai Motors, and Lemona Vitamin C
Fashion and Accessories: Cooper Vision, Nuovo Shoes, Hazzys Accessories, and EIDER
Her front-row appearances at Paris Fashion Week and her status as a K-pop style icon are clear examples of her fashion influence.

Philanthropy:

Irene is well-known for her charity; in 2020, she gave ₩100 million to the Community Chest of Korea to help with COVID-19 assistance, and in 2025, she gave another ₩100 million to help recover from the Youngnam forest fire. Her dedication to social causes is demonstrated by her activities.
Disputes
Irene was involved in the "gapjil" issue in 2020, which involved claims that she had mistreated a stylist. She publicly apologized, and although it had a short-term negative impact on her reputation, her later endeavors and the support of her fans helped her rise again.

Personal Life and Fun Facts:

Red Velvet members call Irene "Eomma," or "mom," because of her maternal nature and quiet yet considerate demeanor. She is interested in interior design and likes to cook, especially seaweed soup for her bandmates' birthdays. She despises coffee and stays away from poultry because of a childhood illness, even though she loves fruits like watermelon and grapes. Her favorite number is 43, which stands for "I Love You" (1-4-3) and purple is her favorite color.
Irene keeps her personal life private, and as of 2025, no information about her relationship status is available to the public. Although specifics about her family are kept confidential, she is close to them and appreciates their support.

Influence and Legacy:

Irene's transformation from a resident of Daegu to a K-pop superstar is evidence of her skill, perseverance, and hard work. In addition to leading Red Velvet to international success, she has established herself as a versatile celebrity with her individual pursuits in acting, music, and fashion. Her philanthropy and passion inspire fans, and her reach goes beyond entertainment.
Irene remains a leader in K-pop in 2025, and her solo debut and further Red Velvet endeavors portend even bigger successes. Her narrative is one of unquestionable star power, grace, and tenacity.