Artist Profile
- Real Name: Kim Ye-rim
- Native Name: 김예림
- Nicknames: Yerim, Squirtle, Yeriana
- Birthday: Mar 05, 1999 (26 years old)
- Blood type: O
- Height/Weight: 160 cm (5’3") / 49 kg (108 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- MBTI: INTP
- Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Profession: Singer, Actress
- Language Skills: Korean, English
- Current Agency: Blitzway Entertainment
- Debut: Mar 10, 2015
- Fandom: ReVeluv
- Years Active: 2015–present (11 years)
- Group: Red Velvet
Yeri (born Kim Ye-rim on March 5, 1999) is a South Korean singer and actress. She joined the girl group Red Velvet as a vocalist, rapper, and maknae on March 10, 2015, approximately one year after the group’s debut. As of April 2025, Kim is managed by Blitzway Entertainment for her acting career while continuing her activities as a member of Red Velvet.
Early life
Kim is the eldest of four daughters born to Kim Young-sik and Jeong Gyeong-sul. Her younger sisters are Kim Yoo-rim, Kim Ye-eun, and Kim Chae-eun. Kim attended Buyang Elementary School and later graduated from Janghyeon Elementary School. She attended Guangdong High School but withdrew before completion, subsequently passing the middle school equivalency examination.
In 2011, Kim joined SM Entertainment as a trainee after passing the SM Weekly Audition. She was later introduced as a member of the pre-debut training team SM Rookies. In 2014, Kim performed at SM Town Live World Tour IV and appeared in the music video teaser for the song “Happiness.”
Career
Kim Ye-rim joined SM Entertainment in 2011 after passing the SM Weekly Audition. During her trainee years, she was introduced as a member of SM Rookies.
In 2014, Yeri appeared in Red Velvet’s music video “Happiness” and performed at SM Town Live Tour IV in Seoul.
In March 2015, SM Entertainment officially announced Yeri as a new member of Red Velvet. She debuted with the group through the mini-album Ice Cream Cake and served as an MC for the music program Show! Music Core from May to November that year.
Between 2016 and 2018, Red Velvet released several albums, including Russian Roulette (2016), Rookie (2017), Peek-A-Boo (2017), and Bad Boy (2018). The group made its Japanese debut in 2018 with the album #Cookie Jar. That same year, Yeri appeared in J-Min’s music video “Way Back Home” as part of the SM Station project.
In 2019, Yeri released the solo track “Dear Diary” through SM Station Season 3. She also participated in the reality program Law of the Jungle in Thailand and collaborated with rapper Giant Pink on the single “Tuesday Is Better Than Monday.”
In 2020, Yeri launched her YouTube talk show Yeri’s Room, which aired from June 2020 to February 2021 with a total of 22 episodes. She began her acting career in 2021 with the tvN short drama Drama Stage: Mint Condition, followed by her first leading role in the web drama Blue Birthday, released on Naver TV and YouTube.
In 2023, Yeri portrayed Baek Je-na in the web drama Bitch X Rich. She also participated in Red Velvet’s activities for their third studio album Chill Kill, released on November 13, and joined the group’s R to V concert series, which began in April at KSPO Dome in Seoul.
In 2024, Yeri recovered from a herniated disc injury and took part in Red Velvet’s activities, including the release of the mini album “Cosmic” in June, the single “Sweet Dreams” in July, and their 10th debut anniversary tour. In the same year, Yeri played the role of Park Ja-young in the horror film “Next.”
In 2025, Yeri concluded her exclusive contract with SM Entertainment in April while continuing her activities with Red Velvet. On May 1, she signed with Blitzway Entertainment under the stage name Kim Ye-rim.
Fun Facts
- Fans call her “Squirtle (Zeni)” because of her cute, Pokémon-like water turtle visuals.
- She wore high heels for the first time while filming the Automatic MV.
- She is known within the group for being a bit messy, yet very approachable and endearing.
- She debuted with Red Velvet while she was still in 12th grade.
- Fans gave her the nickname “Yeriana” because she is a devoted fan of Ariana Grande.
- Her representative color in Red Velvet is purple.
- She has an unusual breakfast habit that includes ghee butter, coconut oil, almond milk, and detox water.
- She is considered the group’s “mood maker,” often bringing laughter and positive energy.
- She once blushed during Yeri’s Room because of Seulgi and Irene, which led to the “Wartortle” meme.
- International fans often call her the “ambassador of chaos and laughter.”
- She once teased Nayeon, creating the famous “NaRim” moment.
- She and Seulgi broke a bed while filming the Cosmic MV, which became a viral meme.
- She is close friends with actress Kim Yoo-jung, and they often go out to eat fried chicken together.
Photo gallery
