After more than a decade in the industry, Red Velvet remains a powerhouse in K-Pop thanks to their creativity and constant reinvention. Joy in Red Velvet is undoubtedly an important figure, but her exact role in the group remains somewhat ambiguous. What is Joy’s role? Is she truly a standout, or just a “sufficient” piece of the puzzle?
A Distinctive Voice, but Not the Strongest
Joy possesses a warm and recognizable vocal tone. In Psycho (2019), she took on the second chorus, delivering an airy and light tone. By Cosmic (2024), her growth was evident, particularly in the bridge, contributing to the album’s 153,000 copies sold in the first week (Hanteo).
However, in terms of technical skill, she doesn’t match Wendy, the group’s main vocalist known for her wide range and stable high notes. Some fans on X noted that Joy’s high notes in Cosmic lacked power compared to Wendy’s. SM Entertainment hasn’t exactly helped her shine either, with inconsistent line distribution—she had only 12 seconds of singing time in Red Flavor (2017), making her seem more “safe” than a breakout performer.
Dancing: Not Bad, but Not a Top Dancer Either
When it comes to dance, Joy in Red Velvet brings fluidity and presence. In Peek-A-Boo (2017), her smooth turns became a visual highlight. However, compared to Seulgi, the group’s unofficial dance ace, Joy lacks precision and a distinct dance identity.
The Happiness: My Dear, ReVe1uv fan-con tour (2024) in Seoul showcased her improvement, especially in Cosmic, where she executed intricate hand movements. However, some fancams showed a drop in energy towards the end, possibly due to her health break in 2023. On Zzanbro (2024), she admitted, “I had to learn how to rebalance myself after that,” revealing the struggles of maintaining top form.
Good Stage Presence, but Not a Standout Performer
Joy’s greatest strength is her stage expression. In Peek-A-Boo, her mysterious gaze was praised on Reddit (r/red_velvet), while in Cosmic, her mature, subtle smile in the closing scene left a lasting impression.
Yet, her position in Red Velvet remains undefined. Irene dominates as the group’s visual, Seulgi is the sharp dancer, Wendy is the vocal powerhouse, and Yeri brings a youthful charm—meanwhile, Joy excels at many things but lacks a singular defining strength. A viral post on X (2024) summed it up: “Joy is great, but she needs her own stage to truly explode.”
Joy’s Role in Red Velvet: Leaving or Staying?
In 2024, rumors swirled that Joy might leave SM Entertainment when Star News reported her meeting with an acting management company. Her dissatisfaction with SM’s promotion of Cosmic—which she openly mentioned on Bubble—only fueled the speculation. However, on January 14, 2025, SM confirmed that Joy renewed her contract, making her the third member to stay after Irene and Seulgi.
Though she remains part of Red Velvet, where does her future lie? Joy’s contributions, including an estimated 5% of the fan-con tour’s total revenue (based on SM figures), are significant, but will she truly rise within the group? With her solo mini-album Hello (2021) selling 80,000 copies, Joy has potential as a solo artist or actress, leveraging her expressive skills, as seen in Tempted (2018).
Is Joy Wasting Her Potential?
Joy in Red Velvet has everything needed for success—a standout visual, a unique vocal tone, and strong charisma. However, if SM fails to give her clear direction, she risks being just a “sufficient” member rather than an undeniable force. While her contract renewal is a positive sign, the real question remains: Will Joy finally step up with a major solo project or an acting breakthrough? Let’s wait and see!
