Widely considered one of the most beautiful idols in the industry, Irene is now at the center of controversy after a recent live clip went viral on social media.
In the video, the Red Velvet leader performs an a cappella version The biggest fan. However, instead of praise, his voice attracted criticism for its being “Dish,” devoid of dynamics, and sometimes even out of tune.
The encore phases are often considered the definitive ones “mirror of truth” for K-pop idols. As the final segment of the weekly musical shows, the winning artists perform live without backing tracks or elaborate sets. It’s a time when raw vocal ability is on full display, and where many idols have already faced backlash after revealing their vocal limitations.
Irene’s case is no exception. As the clip spread, netizens flooded the comments sections with mixed reactions. Some have wondered if had started in the wrong key, while others described his notes as “monotonous” or even he compared the performance unfavorably to casual karaoke. A number of viewers also pointed out his slightly awkward facial expressions, suggesting he seemed aware of the performance’s flaws.
Fans immediately came to his defense, supporting him the song itself lacks strong climaxes, making it difficult to showcase vocal power. Others have suggested he may have missed the key early on, affecting the rest of the performance. Some have even speculated as much his physical condition at the time could have contributed to the instability.
Despite the defense, the controversy reignited a long-standing narrative surrounding Irene: extraordinary images that may not fully correspond to his talent. Although Red Velvet is widely recognized as one of K-pop’s strongest vocal groups, Irene has never been positioned as a singer. Instead, he serves as a rapper, visual and leader. Without the support of members like Wendy or Joy on stage, his vocal weaknesses become more apparent.
Consequently, the stereotype of a “visual idol only” he resurfaced. For many, Irene’s name is almost automatically associated first and foremost with beauty, while her musical identity remains secondary.
Born Bae Joo-hyun in 1991, Irene is the leader, center and face of Red Velvet under SM Entertainment. Since her debut in 2014, she has become one of K-pop’s most iconic figures, often referred to as the “Original image” a point of reference for classic beauty in the sector.
His career went through several distinct phases. From 2014 to 2020, he achieved huge success with Red Velvet through hits such as Red flavour, Bad boyAND Psychohelping the group secure a strong position in K-pop. Beyond music, Irene has become a muse for luxury brands thanks to her elegant and cool aura.
In 2020, he formed the sub-unit Irene & Seulgi with Seulgi, releasing the mini-album Monsterwhich displayed a sharper and more mature performance style that marked his attempt to break away from a purely visual image.
However, that same year, she was involved in an attitude controversy involving an industry professional. The backlash was severe, leading to a nearly two-year hiatus as he faced public criticism and industry distancing.
Following the scandal, Irene gradually resumed her activity. By the end of 2024, he officially debuted as a solo artist with the mini-album Like a flowercharacterized by a soft pop-dance style that highlighted her delicate and feminine tone.
However, his solo releases have not achieved great digital success. The title track failed to maintain a high chart placement such as the MelOn Top 100, and the album largely remained within its fandom without significant impact on the broader market.
Most recently, Irene released the album The biggest fanselling nearly 200,000 copies in its first week, a clear testament to his loyal and stable fan base, which continues to support his solo career despite fluctuations in public perception.
Above all, what makes Irene a unique figure in K-pop is her beauty. In 12 years of business, it has rarely, if ever, been criticized for a decline in images. Her classic, elegant and cold beauty has remained constant from her internship days until today, even though she is now over 35 years old. It continues to rank at the top of the visual charts, maintaining its irreplaceable status “visual wall” in the sector.
Sources: K14
