Seulgi
Red Velvet Red Velvet Joy Cosmic seulgi red velvet

Seulgi

슬기
  • Korean Name:슬기
  • Nickname:Kkangseul, Seulgi Bear
  • Birthday:February 10, 1994
  • Nationality:South Korean
  • Zodiac Sign:Aquarius
  • Height:164
  • Weight:44
  • Blood Type:A
  • Occupation:Singer, Dancer
  • Years Active:2014–present
  • Agency:SM Entertainment
  • Education:Seoul School of Performing Arts
  • SNS:Instagram: @hi_sseulgi

Biography

Kang Seul-gi, known professionally as Seulgi, is a South Korean singer, dancer, songwriter, and television personality. She is best known as the main dancer and lead vocalist of the South Korean girl group Red Velvet, its sub-unit Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, and the super-group GOT the Beat, all managed by SM Entertainment. Seulgi made her solo debut in 2022 with her first extended play 28 Reasons.

Early Life and Education

Kang Seul-gi was born on February 10, 1994, in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She grew up with her parents and an older brother. Seulgi attended Ansan Byeolmang Middle School and later School of Performing Arts Seoul, where she pursued her education while training for her future music career. She is proficient in both Korean and Japanese.

Seulgi’s artistic interests developed early; she trained in dance and performance from a young age. Her dedication to the performing arts would later shape her trajectory into professional music and entertainment.

Career

Pre-Debut and SM Rookies (2007–2014)

Seulgi joined SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2007 after successfully completing the company’s audition process. On December 2, 2013, she was publicly introduced as one of the first trainees in SM Rookies, SM Entertainment’s pre-debut project, alongside future NCT members Jeno and Taeyong. Through this program, she appeared in pre-debut content showcasing dance and performance.

Before debuting, Seulgi was featured in music projects by labelmates. In 2014, she appeared in Henry Lau’s music video for “Fantastic” and contributed to the track “Butterfly” from his second EP.

Debut with Red Velvet (2014–present)

Seulgi debuted as a member of Red Velvet on August 1, 2014, with the digital single Happiness, officially launching her career in K-pop. Since debut, she has been recognized as the group’s main dancer and lead vocalist, contributing to Red Velvet’s dynamic sound and performances. The group’s music blends bright pop with more sophisticated R&B influences and has achieved significant commercial success both domestically and internationally.

Sub-Unit and Group Activities (2020–present)

In 2020, Seulgi and fellow Red Velvet member Irene formed the first official sub-unit of Red Velvet, Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, debuting on July 6, 2020, with the mini-album Monster. The unit achieved notable success and expanded Seulgi’s artistic range.

In January 2022, she also became a member of GOT the Beat, a female project supergroup under SM Entertainment’s Girls On Top initiative, debuting with the digital single Step Back.

Solo Career (2022–present)

Seulgi made her solo debut on October 4, 2022, with the extended play 28 Reasons, showcasing her individual artistry and musical versatility beyond group activities.

Fun Facts

  1. Seulgi excelled in sports as well. She trained as a track and field athlete and even competed in Gyeonggi Province-level tournaments, showing talent in both academics and athletics.
  2. Known as one of the best dancers at school, she often gathered friends, taught them choreography herself, and performed in talent shows.
  3. During a school blood donation event, she performed BoA’s “Atlantis Princess”, winning a popularity award, further proving her singing and dancing ability.
  4. Seulgi’s father encouraged her to pursue music. She participated in an SM Saturday Open Audition in 2006 (6th grade) and officially joined SM Entertainment in 2007, during her first year of middle school.
  5. Seulgi trained for an impressive seven years before debuting. Many artists who debuted earlier including most EXO members and even f(x) entered SM after she did.
  6. During her trainee years, Seulgi was famous for being a “practice machine.” Although she entered SM as a vocal trainee, she experienced vocal cord issues and temporarily lost her voice.
  7. Seulgi debuted with Red Velvet on August 1, 2014. She once shared on Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook that watching fellow trainees quit was harder than seeing others debut.
  8. Seulgi was the first member revealed through SMROOKIES on December 2, 2013. She began promotions alongside Irene and Wendy, featured in Henry’s “Butterfly”, appeared in the “Fantastic” MV, and even showed up in an EXO concert VCR.