Biography
Who is Irene?
Early life and real name
Irene was born with the birth name Bae Joo-hyun on March 29, 1991, in Daegu, South Korea. She grew up specifically in the Buk-gu district alongside her parents and a younger sibling. During her youth, she attended Haknam High School located in her hometown of Daegu before pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.
In 2009, she joined SM Entertainment as a trainee and spent five years training in various performance skills. As a pre-debut trainee, she appeared in music videos and magazines, and she was introduced as a member of the pre-debut team SM Rookies in December 2013.
Rise with Red Velvet
On July 27, 2014, Irene was officially introduced as a member and the leader of the girl group Red Velvet. The group made their debut with the single titled Happiness. Over the years, Red Velvet released numerous albums and EPs, establishing themselves as a prominent K-pop act both in South Korea and internationally.
In April 2020, SM Entertainment confirmed that Irene and fellow member Seulgi formed Red Velvet's first sub-unit, Red Velvet - Irene & Seulgi. The sub-unit debuted in July 2020 with the extended play titled Monster, featuring unique musical concepts and performances.
Hosting and acting career
Aside from her musical endeavors with Red Velvet, Irene expanded her career into television hosting and acting. From May 2015 to June 2016, she hosted the music program Music Bank alongside actor Park Bo-gum. She also hosted other television programs including Laundry Day and Irene's Work & Holiday.
In July 2016, she made her acting debut by playing the female lead in the web drama Women at a Game Company. She later starred in the film Double Patty, released in February 2021, where she portrayed an aspiring anchor named Lee Hyun-Ji and contributed an original soundtrack titled A White Night.
Endorsements and philanthropy
Irene has earned significant recognition for her commercial appeal, securing numerous endorsement deals across various industries. Her partnerships range from cosmetics and apparel to luxury brands, leading the press to refer to her as a CF Queen. She became the first Asian muse for the Italian luxury jewelry brand Damiani in 2019 and a global ambassador for Prada in 2020.
In addition to her commercial activities, Irene has participated in charitable efforts within South Korea. In February 2020, she donated ₩100 million to the Community Chest of Korea to support relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. She made another donation of ₩100 million in March 2025 to aid relief efforts for individuals affected by forest fires in Youngnam.
Birthday and age
Irene was born on March 29, 1991, which makes Irene 35 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Irene shares the date with 59 other famous people.
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