Despite the confirmation of Red Velvet Irene’s debut, there is much speculation surrounding her ability to overcome her past power trip scandal.
In May, SM Entertainment revealed its music line-up for the third quarter of the year. Fans were taken aback to discover that Red Velvet member Irene would be making her solo debut, joining the ranks of other established solo artists and groups under the label. She is set to follow in the footsteps of fellow members Wendy, Joy, and Seulgi by releasing a mini-album as a soloist.
Despite being a top beauty in K-pop and the leader of Red Velvet, Irene’s promising career with multiple opportunities and endorsements from major brands was derailed in 2020. A fashion editor made allegations of her mistreatment of staff and diva-like behavior, commonly known as “star disease.”
According to the fashion editor, the Red Velvet member behaved in a hostile manner and mistreated her. In response, Irene publicly apologized for her misconduct. SM Entertainment also expressed regret for the distress caused to the public. Irene personally met with the fashion editor to apologize, and the editor accepted her apology.
As a result, Irene was heavily criticized for her “gapjil,”a term used to describe the misuse of authority. Her image suffered greatly as a result and she ultimately went on a hiatus for almost a year.
Despite resuming her career as an idol and celebrity, her reputation has yet to fully recover. Unlike her peers, she is no longer held in the same regard as before, despite being known as the “original visual of the third generation.”
Despite the attitude scandal that occurred over three years ago, Irene has experienced a revival in her solo endeavors. This can be attributed to the support from SM Entertainment. Most recently, she curated a personal photo exhibition and published a photo book showcasing her natural beauty in everyday settings. In addition, she dropped a new track called “I Feel Pretty,”which solidifies her position as the top visual in the third generation of K-pop.
Despite facing a setback due to a scandal three years ago, Irene’s dedication to her career and fans has not wavered. She is currently making up for lost time by actively promoting herself, receiving unwavering support from her loyal fans who eagerly await her full return. The question remains, will Korean netizens also be able to support Irene’s efforts?
We will only be certain once her mini-album is released.
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