Red Velvet profile

A recent surge in online discussions has cast a spotlight on SM Entertainment‘s approach to Red Velvet‘s solo careers. On popular Korean forums such as Instiz, fans have raised critical questions about whether the company has adequately supported the group’s individual ventures.

One netizen wrote, “It seems SM has zero intention of making Red Velvet successful as solo artists.” The post continued, expressing disappointment in the company’s strategy: “At least Irene’s solo album had decent musicality, but it got buried. Seulgi, Wendy, and Joy only got titles that make you sigh… At this point, it feels like they’re deliberately setting them up to fail.”

red velvet

Not all fans place the blame squarely on SM. Many argue that Red Velvet’s members now seasoned veterans likely play a significant role in shaping their solo concepts. One user commented, “Solo albums really reflect the member’s tastes,” while another added, “At this stage in their careers, they must have input. Maybe the company gave them freedom, and the results just didn’t land.”

This divergence has sparked deeper debate around artistic autonomy versus agency accountability, especially regarding marketing, visibility, and overall creative direction.

SM Entertainment Red Velvet solo supportmessages' 'opinions' 'solo' 'music' 'preference.

Fans’ dissatisfaction isn’t new, and a recurring issue cited on Instiz. Here are top comments about the debate:

  1. “If they’re at a later stage in their career, of course their own opinions would be reflected.”
  2. “Personally, I just can’t get into Sol-El…”
  3. “They’re not rookies anymore—at that stage, isn’t it more about their own taste? It’s good that they can do the music they want in solos.”
  4. “They’re not at the level where they only do what the label tells them…”
  5. “I actually like Joy’s new song… And honestly, would SM really control everything? For solo work, their personal taste is bound to come through—it’s not the same as a group project.”
  6. “At that level, it’s basically just their own taste.”

As Red Velvet enters its second decade, the group’s legacy continues to evolve—individually and collectively. While some argue that SM Entertainment is sidelining their solo potential, others suggest that artistic decisions lie increasingly with the members themselves.

Sources: instiz