Bae Joo-hyun

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Bae Joo-hyun (Irene)
Alias(es)	Irene
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Red Velvet; formerly signed to SM Entertainment 33 357
Occupation/Role	Idol; leader of Red Velvet; singer, dancer, and rapper 77 150
Status	Left SM Entertainment after ending her contract three months early; intends to continue making music 357
First Appearance	32

Background & History

Bae Joo-hyun is Red Velvet's leader and a highly recognizable idol, yet she takes a solo trip to China during the group's six-month break. Before boarding her return flight, she is knocked down by Xu Junyan, who leaves without helping her up. She recognizes him on the plane and unsuccessfully tries to make him remember both the incident and her name through a translation app. Their conversation is hindered by Xu Junyan's limited Korean and her limited Chinese. 32 33

Initially frustrated that Xu Junyan neither recognizes her fame nor appears interested in her, she later discovers that he is SKT's foreign mid-laner when her members watch one of his matches. Remembering their awkward meetings—and the embarrassing moment when she hungrily ate a bun in front of him—she proposes filming Red Velvet's New Year's vlog at SKT. 34 78

During Red Velvet's visit to SKT, she watches Xu Junyan achieve a Pentakill, plays games with him and the others, and eventually shares dry instant noodles with him on the rooftop. The two exchange contact information there. 90 92

After traveling from Seoul because she worries about online criticism directed at Xu Junyan, Bae Joo-hyun has dinner with him at a tteokbokki shop she frequents. Their relationship grows through private meetings, mutual teasing, and her increasing interest in SKT and League of Legends. Xu Junyan confesses to her during a rainstorm, and they become a couple. 111 112 113

She spends Lunar New Year with Xu Junyan, is unexpectedly introduced to his parents as his girlfriend over video call, and attempts to prepare a holiday dinner for them. Though nervous at first, she quickly develops a warm rapport with Wang Shuzhen despite the translation difficulties. 127 128

As Xu Junyan's career rises, Bae Joo-hyun becomes an open and enthusiastic SKT supporter. She attends matches, performs with Red Velvet during the Spring Finals halftime show, assists Xu Junyan in managing online backlash, and provides food for SKT's players. 149 150 174 208

When her relationship with Xu Junyan is publicly exposed, she refuses her company's demand that she deny it and renew her contract. She continues supporting him in public despite hostile fan reactions, then faces SM Entertainment with Xu Junyan at her side. Her contract is ultimately terminated three months early. 341 343 355 357

Appearance

Bae Joo-hyun is consistently noted for her exceptionally striking appearance, fair complexion, delicate features, and clear eyes. Her polished idol image is often described as cool, elegant, and aloof, contrasting sharply with her more expressive behavior around Xu Junyan. 32 111 128

• Often conceals her identity with large sunglasses, masks, a baseball cap, or round non-prescription glasses. 32 112 260
• Wears her hair in a bun during her first flight encounter with Xu Junyan; he later associates the look with a softer, cuter side of her. 32 112
• Has long hair that is frequently described as falling over her shoulders. 111 167
• Her minimalistic, cool-toned Incheon home reflects her outwardly cold and refined image. 113

Personality

Bae Joo-hyun maintains a composed, professional persona as Red Velvet's leader. She is conscious of her image and can project aloofness, but ingrained politeness repeatedly breaks through that façade. 33 77

Around people she trusts, she is playful, competitive, easily flustered, and prone to teasing Xu Junyan or being teased by him. She reacts strongly when embarrassed, but her affection is direct: she travels to support him, shares her insecurities with him, and openly celebrates his victories. 111 112 167 260

As a leader, she can be intimidating when her members cross a line, yet she is ultimately forgiving and attentive to their feelings. She suggested the SKT vlog partly to make up for frightening Kim Ye-rim and to support the members' interest in Xu Junyan. 78 167

Although she worries that her career and social standing may make her unsuitable for Xu Junyan, she refuses to abandon their relationship under public and corporate pressure. 167 341 357

Abilities & Skills

Idol Performance

Bae Joo-hyun is an experienced stage performer whose professional bearing changes immediately when Red Velvet takes the stage.

• Performs as part of Red Velvet's halftime appearance during the Spring Finals. 150
• Performs the group's song “Dumb Dumb” with singing, dancing, and rap. 149 150
• Identifies rap as her main role within the group. 150

Team Leadership

As Red Velvet's captain, Bae Joo-hyun takes responsibility for group decisions and discipline.

• Proposes the SKT vlog so her members can meet the esports player they admire. 78
• Maintains authority over her younger members, including making them perform squats after teasing her. 240
• Forgives her members after they sincerely apologize for their earlier behavior. 167

Fan Engagement and Public Support

Bae Joo-hyun uses her celebrity platform to support Xu Junyan and SKT.

• Edits an Instagram post to support SKT and Silence despite her manager's concerns about controversy. 173
• “Accidentally” leaks Xu Junyan's dominant training-match results, helping shift public opinion during an online backlash. 174
• Publicly cheers, “Boyfriend, go for it!!” after their relationship is exposed. 343

Cooking and Hospitality

Bae Joo-hyun enjoys sharing food and attempts to cook for Xu Junyan, though her ability is uneven.

• Knows a secluded tteokbokki restaurant important to her family and brings Xu Junyan there as the first male friend she has introduced to it. 111
• Claims proficiency at making fried chicken, despite avoiding eating it after childhood indigestion. 111 128
• Plans and prepares a Lunar New Year meal, but needs Xu Junyan to make proper dumpling dough and wrappers. 128
• Later cooks fried chicken for Xu Junyan and his SKT teammates before a match. 208

Relationships

• Xu Junyan / Silence — Boyfriend. Their initially awkward encounters become a relationship after he confesses during a rainstorm; they support one another through competition, publicity scandals, and her contract dispute. 32 112 341 357
• Red Velvet — Her group and the people she leads. She looks after the members' interests, disciplines them when necessary, and shares their growing enthusiasm for esports. 78 167 240
• Son Seung-wan — Red Velvet member who visits Bae Joo-hyun's home, quickly accepts Xu Junyan as “brother-in-law,” and regularly teases Bae Joo-hyun about her relationship. 131 132 149
• Kim Tae-yeon — Senior idol and friend who attends matches with her, teases her about Xu Junyan, and helps arrange time for the couple together. 153 225 306
• Wang Shuzhen — Xu Junyan's mother. Bae Joo-hyun is initially nervous meeting her by video call but finds her welcoming and gains her approval. 127 128
• Manager Kim — Her manager, who advises her to avoid direct involvement in esports controversies and later worries about the consequences of her conflict with SM Entertainment. 173 355

Notable Quotes

“Give me ten minutes to recharge.” 240

“Boyfriend, go for it!!” 343

Trivia

• She once tried to appear aloof to Xu Junyan, but immediately thanked him politely when he reminded her to fasten her seatbelt. 33
• Her recurring response to extreme embarrassment is a powerful headbutt, dubbed the “Rocket Headbutt.” 129 174
• She became an avid esports fan after visiting SKT and ultimately enjoys the live-event atmosphere as much as supporting Xu Junyan personally. 149
• Despite being older than Xu Junyan, she eventually enjoys calling him “Oppa” while cheering for him from the crowd. 260