Amid Red Velvet‘s disbandment rumors, group leader Irene recently took a significant step in supporting SM Entertainment. Previously, in 2021, all Red Velvet members, including Wendy, Joy, Seulgi, Yeri, and Irene, renewed their contract with SM Entertainment. However, the turmoil in the management of the music label, which peaked in 2023, made many speculate that the existing successful groups under the label might part ways.
However, Seulgi dispelled the disband rumors in 2023 by reportedly renewing her contract again, and it looks like Irene is following in her footsteps.
Red Velvet contract renewal: Irene vows to ‘always support’ the group
Irene will continue her Red Velvet journey as she renews her contract in 2024 with SM Entertainment. The music label shared a statement where the group leader reassured her fans to always support Red Velvet.
The 29-year-old singer-songwriter said, “I renewed out of trust for SM Entertainment, who made me who I am now, and the company staff whom I worked together with since my debut. I will impress with diverse activities with the members this year while having a grateful heart toward fans who always support Red Velvet.”
SM Entertainment also shared a note, stating, “We renewed our contract with Irene following [the contract renewal with] Seulgi based on mutual trust and partnership. We will support her in various directions so that she can promote even more actively as a global artist, so please show lots of love and interest going forward.”
While Seulgi and Irene have chosen to put their faith in SM Entertainment, fans are eager to know if Wendy, Joy, and Yeri will follow the same path.
In recent years, K-pop groups like GOT7 have chosen not to renew their contract with the founder label while still maintaining their group. Thus, Red Velvet fans believe the members’ unity will protect them from any future disbandment, whether or not they continue with SM Entertainment.
On the other hand, Red Velvet members seem equally committed to their fans. In an interview in 2023, Wendy talked about the fans’ expectations about “staying together for a long time.” The singer shared, “Every time our fans say ‘Let’s stay together for a long time, I always think I should work harder.”
Now, it remains to be seen if the other members of Red Velvet will share an update regarding their status with the band as well as the label.
