Red Velvet 2025: Contract Updates and What's Next for the K-pop Group
Red Velvet, the experimental K-pop quintet behind hits like "Red Flavor" and "Psycho," enters 2025 with a complex new structure as members pursue individual careers while maintaining their group identity.
Current Contract Status: A Split Path Forward
The group's contract renewal situation, finalized in early 2025, reveals a strategic division. Three members-Irene, Seulgi, and Joy-remain with SM Entertainment, while Wendy and Yeri have moved to new agencies for individual activities but will continue participating in Red Velvet group projects.Timeline of renewals: Seulgi: August 2023, Irene: February 2024, Joy: January 2025, Wendy: Left SM April 2025, signed with ASND Label, Yeri: Left SM April 2025, reportedly joining Blitzway Studios
The "Red Flavor" Legacy That Defined Them
Red Velvet's 2017 summer hit "Red Flavor" became their career-defining moment, earning them the "Summer Queen" title and ranking #2 on Billboard's best K-pop songs of the 2010s. The track demonstrated their ability to balance experimental SM Entertainment production with mainstream appeal-a formula that established them as one of third-generation K-pop's most respected groups.
Their musical versatility earned recognition from TIME magazine, which featured "Bad Boy" as one of 2018's best songs, making Red Velvet the only K-pop group to receive such recognition that year.
Recent Activity and Individual Pursuits
The group's latest release, the mini-album "Cosmic," came out June 24, 2024, to commemorate their 10th anniversary. Since then, members have focused on solo projects:
Irene: Released solo debut "Like a Flower" in November 2024
Joy: Dropped "From JOY, with Love" in December 2024
Wendy: Recently completed solo comeback preparations
Yeri: Pursuing acting career with recent drama "BITCH X RICH
Irene & Seulgi: Continuing their established sub-unit activities
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
Billboard named Red Velvet "the best idol group alive" in 2019, while a 2024 Gallup Korea survey ranked them among the top 10 most popular girl groups of the 21st century. Their experimental dual-concept approach influenced numerous subsequent K-pop groups.
The multi-agency arrangement allows Red Velvet to maintain their group identity while providing members creative freedom for individual pursuits. This model has become increasingly common among veteran K-pop acts, balancing artistic growth with fan expectations.
What This Means for ReVeLuvs
While full-group comebacks may become less frequent, SM Entertainment confirmed that both departing members will continue participating in Red Velvet's group activities. This arrangement suggests fans can expect sporadic group releases alongside ongoing solo projects.
Red Velvet's evolution reflects the maturation of third-generation K-pop, where established groups prioritize artistic exploration over traditional idol career paths. Their influence on K-pop's experimental direction ensures their legacy remains intact regardless of future group activity frequency.
