Red Velvet Disbandment Rumors Explained

The disbandment rumors of Red Velvet emerged as SM Entertainment notified of Wendy and Yeri’s official contract with the label ending.

SM Entertainment released an official statement addressing the situation: “We would like to inform you that the exclusive contract between us and Wendy and Yeri has been terminated. It has been a great happiness for us to work with Wendy and Yeri, who have been active in various aspects of their careers since their debut as Red Velvet, both as a group and as solo artists.”

The agency emphasized that despite ending their exclusive contracts, both artists will “continue to work with us as members of Red Velvet,” suggesting a new working arrangement that allows the members to pursue individual careers under different management while maintaining their group identity.

What This Means for Red Velvet

For fans concerned about the group’s future, SM Entertainment‘s statement offers some reassurance that Red Velvet isn’t disbanding entirely. Instead, the arrangement appears to follow a growing trend in K-pop where established artists maintain group activities while pursuing solo careers under separate management.

This dual-agency model has become increasingly common as first-generation members of successful K-pop groups seek greater creative and financial autonomy after fulfilling their initial long-term contracts.

Wendy’s Solo Journey

Since making history as the first Red Velvet member to release a solo project, Wendy has established herself as a formidable solo artist. Her debut EP, “Like Water” (April 2021), showcased her exceptional vocal range and emotional depth through tracks like “When This Rain Stops” and the title track, “Like Water.”

Her second EP, “Wish You Hell,” released in March 2024, demonstrated significant commercial success, selling over 158,246 copies in its first week and reaching the second position on South Korea’s Circle Album Chart. These achievements highlight Wendy’s ability to command attention as a solo performer apart from Red Velvet’s collective identity.

Yeri’s Expanding Portfolio

While focusing less on solo music releases, Yeri has diversified her career through acting. Her on-screen credits include tvN’s “Drama Stage” episode “Mint Condition” (2021) and leading roles in the web series “Blue Birthday” and Wavve’s “Bitch X Rich” (2023).

She has contributed to several OSTs for dramas she’s appeared in, though she has yet to release a dedicated solo album. This acting-focused approach suggests Yeri may continue to develop her career across multiple entertainment sectors under new management.

Fan Reactions

The Red Velvet community has rallied behind Wendy and Yeri’s decisions. Social media has been flooded with supportive messages, with one fan noting on X (formerly Twitter) that while “contracts expired, their impact never will.” Another optimistic supporter wrote, “This doesn’t mean the end. Just a different kind of beginning.”

Looking Ahead

As neither Wendy nor Yeri has announced their new agencies yet, fans are eagerly awaiting details about where they will continue their individual careers. Meanwhile, the status of other Red Velvet members—Irene, Seulgi, and Joy—remains with SM Entertainment, creating a complex dynamic for future group activities.

The arrangement represents a significant shift for one of K-pop’s most influential groups, which debuted in 2014 and has delivered numerous hits, including “Red Flavor,” “Psycho,” and “Bad Boy,” throughout their decade-long career.

For now, Red Velvet supporters are left to navigate this period of transition while hoping that the group’s musical legacy continues in some form despite these contractual changes.