Irene (singer)

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Irene (singer)

Role / Field:

South Korean singer, actress, and rapper best known as the leader of Red Velvet.

Born:

1991-03-29

Century / Era:

1991s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Bae Joo-hyun (Korean: 배주현; born March 29, 1991), better known by her stage name Irene (아이린), is a South Korean singer, actress and rapper. She is best known as the member and leader of the South Korean girl group Red Velvet, and its sub-unit Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi. Irene hosted the television programs Music Bank (2015–2016), Laundry Day (2016–2017), and Irene's Work & Holiday (2022), as well as various music festivals and award events. As an actress, Irene has starred in Women at a Game Company (2016) and Double Patty (2021). Irene was born Bae Joo-hyun on March 29, 1991, in Daegu, South Korea.

Career & Major Achievements

Her family consists of her parents and a younger sibling. She attended Haknam High School in Daegu. She joined SM Entertainment in 2009 and trained for five years. During her time as a trainee, in August 2013, she appeared in the music video of her then-labelmate Henry Lau's song "1-4-3". On December 9, 2013, Irene was one of the second batch of trainees introduced as a member of SM Rookies, a pre-debut team of trainees under SM Entertainment, alongside former trainee Lami and now-NCT member Jaehyun.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During SM Rookies, in January 2014, she alongside Seulgi as well as now-NCT members Johnny and Taeyong appeared in The Celebrity magazine. In February 2014, Irene, Seulgi and Taeyong appeared in the OhBoy! Various clips of Irene were released in SM Entertainment's official YouTube channel, "SMTOWN", one of which included her and Seulgi dancing to "Be Natural", a song originally performed by SM Entertainment's group S.E.S., showcasing their dancing on July 17, 2014. On July 27, 2014, she was introduced as a member and the leader of the girl group Red Velvet. They made their official debut with the single "Happiness".

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1991 (1991-03-29): Birth of Irene (singer) — South Korean singer, actress, and rapper best known as the leader of Red Velvet.
2. 2009: 2009 Milestone — She joined SM Entertainment in 2009 and trained for five years.
3. 2013: 2013 Milestone — During her time as a trainee, in August 2013, she appeared in the music video of her then-labelmate Henry Lau's song "1-4-3".
4. 2014: 2014 Milestone — During SM Rookies, in January 2014, she alongside Seulgi as well as now-NCT members Johnny and Taeyong appeared in The Celebrity magazine.
5. 2015: 2015 Milestone — Irene hosted the television programs Music Bank (2015–2016), Laundry Day (2016–2017), and Irene's Work & Holiday (2022), as well as various music festivals and award events.
6. 2016: 2016 Milestone — As an actress, Irene has starred in Women at a Game Company (2016) and Double Patty (2021).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Irene (singer)

True or False: “Irene's first major public appearance was during her time as a trainee in 2013.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While she appeared in Henry Lau's music video in August 2013, her official introduction to the public stage came later as part of SM Rookies.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abby Stein — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Ah Young — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): South Korean singer and actress known for her time in the girl group Dal Shabet.
• Ahn Eun-jin — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): South Korean actress known for roles in Hospital Playlist, The Good Bad Mother, and My Dearest.
• Agnès Varda — Shared historical date (03-29 · Died) (2019): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Alexandre Pétion — Shared historical date (03-29 · Died) (1818): Haitian founding father, statesman, and first President of Haiti (1807-1818).
• Ahn Woo-yeon — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): South Korean actor known by the stage name Ahn Woo-yeon.
• Alesso — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Swedish DJ and record producer known for his high-energy EDM anthems.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Historical peer (Died in 2015) (2015): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Abdullah of Saudi Arabia — Historical peer (Died in 2015) (2015): King of Saudi Arabia, known for his role in modernizing the kingdom's governance.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• 1991 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1991
• March 29 (03-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 29

Frequently Asked Questions about Irene (singer)