JOY

Biography

Joy is a South Korean singer, rapper, actress, and television personality. She is best known as a lead rapper and vocalist of the South Korean girl group Red Velvet, managed by SM Entertainment. In addition to her group activities, Joy has pursued acting and solo music projects, showcasing her versatility as an entertainer.

Early Life and Education

Park Soo-young was born on September 3, 1996, on Jeju Island, South Korea, and was raised in Dobong-gu, Seoul, as the eldest of three sisters. She grew up with a strong interest in music; as a child she was influenced by modern trot and developed her passion for singing after receiving praise for her performance of the rock song “Flying Duck” at a school event.

Joy attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul, where she graduated in February 2015. She became fluent in Korean and developed her artistic skills through school and training, later auditioning for SM Entertainment.

Career

Pre-Debut and Red Velvet Debut (2012–2014)

Joy was cast by SM Entertainment after auditioning at the SM Global Audition in Seoul in 2012. After training for two years, she was given the stage name Joy and introduced as the fourth member of Red Velvet on July 29, 2014. Unlike her future bandmates, Joy was not part of the pre-debut team SM Rookies.

Red Velvet officially debuted on August 1, 2014, with the digital single Happiness, marking the beginning of Joy’s professional music career.

Group Activities and Variety Work (2014–Present)

Since debuting with Red Velvet, Joy has contributed to the group’s diverse discography and global success. In 2015, she expanded her public presence through television by appearing on the reality show We Got Married, where she received the New Star Award and Best Couple Award at the MBC Entertainment Awards.

She has continued to participate in variety programming and other media projects, enhancing her visibility as a multi-faceted entertainer.

Acting Career (2017–Present)

Joy made her acting debut in 2017 with the television drama The Liar and His Lover, followed by roles in Tempted (2018), The One and Only (2021), and Once Upon a Small Town (2022). Her acting work has solidified her reputation beyond music and contributed to her presence in Korean television dramas.

Solo Music Career (2021–Present)

Joy debuted as a solo artist on May 31, 2021, with the special album Hello, which featured remake tracks and showcased her vocal style outside of group activities.

Personal Life – Dating

In August 2021, Joy was publicly confirmed to be in a romantic relationship with South Korean singer Crush, following media reports. Both artists’ agencies acknowledged the relationship, stating that the two developed feelings for each other after working together as senior and junior artists in the music industry. Their relationship received generally positive support from fans and the public.

In November 2024, it was reported that Joy and Crush had ended their relationship, with both sides confirming that they decided to remain supportive colleagues. No further details regarding the breakup were disclosed, as the decision was described as a private matter.