Wendy

Biography

Wendy is a South Korean singer, songwriter, television personality, and stage actress. She is best known as the main vocalist of the South Korean girl group Red Velvet, managed originally by SM Entertainment. Wendy has also pursued a successful solo music career and participated in the project supergroup GOT the Beat.

Early Life and Education

Wendy was born on February 21, 1994, in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in a family that loved music, and she showed an early interest in singing from the age of six. Wendy also trained in multiple musical instruments including piano, guitar, flute, and saxophone during her youth.

During her childhood, Wendy lived in South Korea until approximately age 11, when she and her older sister moved abroad to pursue education in Canada and later the United States. In Minnesota, she attended Shattuck-Saint Mary’s School, where she was an honor student and participated in choir and musical activities; she later attended Richmond Hill High School in Ontario, Canada, where she continued her vocal training and performance development. Through these experiences she became fluent in English and developed proficiency in other languages.

Wendy’s path to the entertainment industry began when she accompanied a friend to the SM Global Audition in Canada in 2012, where she was noticed and subsequently accepted as a trainee with SM Entertainment. She trained for less than two years before her official debut.

Career

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

After joining SM Entertainment as a trainee, Wendy was introduced as part of SM Rookies, the company’s pre-debut team, in 2014. Shortly afterward, she made her official debut as a member of Red Velvet on August 1, 2014, with the single Happiness. As the group’s main vocalist, Wendy’s powerful and expressive singing has been central to Red Velvet’s musical identity.

Group Activities and GOT the Beat (2014–Present)

Since debut, Wendy has actively participated in Red Velvet’s discography, performances, and international promotions. In January 2022, she also became a member of GOT the Beat, a female project unit under SM Entertainment’s Girls On Top initiative, debuting with the single Step Back.

Solo Career (2021–Present)

Wendy made her solo debut on April 5, 2021 with the extended play Like Water, highlighting her vocal depth and artistic range. The EP featured emotional ballads and showcased her ability as a leading solo artist. She has since continued her solo activities and expanded her presence as a musician and performer.

Other Activities

Beyond music performance, Wendy has appeared on multiple television programs and radio shows. She has served as a panelist on reality series such as We Got Married and Trick & True, appeared on Saturday Night Live Korea, and hosted the radio program Wendy’s Youngstreet. In 2023, she made her theatrical debut in the musical Rebecca, demonstrating her range as a stage actress.