Red Velvet once dominated K-pop with their unique style and high-quality music. But with Gen 4 taking over the industry with a wave of viral hits, can they still hold their ground, or is it time for a new direction?
Red Velvet Today: Stuck in Place or Ready for a Breakthrough?
Since debuting in 2014, Red Velvet has built their brand with diverse hits like Psycho, Red Flavor, and Bad Boy. However, their latest album, Cosmic (2024), failed to make a breakthrough. According to a report from Nielsen Korea, Red Velvet’s 2024 album sales reached 310,000 copies, significantly lower than the 443,900 copies of The ReVe Festival 2022. This decline reflects the group’s decreasing overall influence, especially when compared to Gen 4 groups like NewJeans, who sold over 1 million copies in just the first week of their Get Up (2023) album release.
One major factor is their infrequent comebacks. Since 2021, Red Velvet has released only three group albums, while aespa has put out five, and IVE has dropped three full-length albums in just two years. With members focusing on solo activities, the group’s overall impact has gradually faded. A fan on Reddit commented, “It’s frustrating because Red Velvet has incredible music, but they don’t release enough to capitalize on it.”
Irene: The Distance of an Icon
Irene was once hailed as the “visual goddess” of 3rd-gen K-pop, with over 20 million Instagram followers as of 2024. However, in the Gen 4 era, rising stars like Wonyoung (IVE) — who amassed 10 million followers in just three years — and Minji (NewJeans), known for her minimalist style and viral TikTok presence, are leading the new wave of media influence. This shift reflects changing audience preferences, where Gen 4 idols gain traction through a dynamic image and easily accessible online content.
Despite still collaborating with Prada and Chanel, Irene is less active in music promotions and lacks standout solo projects.
Once considered the “nation’s center”, Irene now appears much less frequently than Karina (aespa) or Sullyoon (NMIXX), who not only possess top-tier visuals but also deliver strong performances. While Irene remains one of the top visuals in K-pop, a Reddit survey among K-pop fans suggests that she needs a breakthrough solo project or more active participation in group activities to maintain her appeal. Some argue that her high-fashion partnerships are a plus, but they aren’t enough to engage a younger generation of fans.
Seulgi: When Talent Alone Is Not Enough
Seulgi is known as K-pop’s “dancing machine”, but in the Gen 4 era, dance skills alone aren’t enough to stand out. New-gen dancers like Kazuha (LE SSERAFIM) not only excel in choreography but also bring distinct musical identities. For instance, her single Eve, Psyche hit 10 million views on YouTube within just 24 hours. Additionally, Gen 4 groups focus heavily on viral-friendly concepts, something Seulgi has yet to fully capitalize on in her solo career.
Gen 4 idols are expected to showcase both dance skills and a strong musical identity. Seulgi’s 28 Reasons (2022) was well-received but only sold 220,000 copies, falling short of expectations. In contrast, dancers like Karina and Kazuha (LE SSERAFIM) have gained traction through solo tracks with viral appeal.
If her upcoming solo album, Accidentally On Purpose, doesn’t bring a fresh edge, Seulgi may remain a “great artist who never fully explodes” — a frustrating outcome for someone of her caliber.
Wendy: A Powerful Voice Without a Breakout Hit
Wendy possesses a rare vocal ability in K-pop, but strong vocals alone don’t guarantee success in the TikTok era. Her solo tracks, Like Water and When This Rain Stops, were praised for their musical quality but failed commercially. According to the Melon Chart, Like Water remained in the top 100 for only two weeks, while When This Rain Stops didn’t even chart. Meanwhile, Winter (aespa) saw her solo song Hello stay in the Melon top 50 for six consecutive weeks, thanks to its catchy melody and aggressive promotions.
If Wendy wants to shake off the label of “an outstanding vocalist who lacks mainstream success”, she needs a more viral-friendly song—perhaps a strong pop track rather than niche ballads.
Joy & Yeri: Clear Paths, but Not Enough Impact
Joy has great potential in acting, but her roles haven’t been groundbreaking. The One and Only (2021) received positive feedback but wasn’t a major hit like Business Proposal starring Kim Sejeong. Meanwhile, Yeri has ventured into songwriting and acting, but she has yet to deliver a truly standout project.
🔹 Joy has the perfect visuals for the screen, but she needs a buzzworthy drama—something like Kim Tae-ri’s Twenty-Five Twenty-One or Kim Sejeong’s Business Proposal.
🔹 Yeri could follow in IU’s footsteps—balancing songwriting and singing—but she needs a signature song that truly defines her artistic identity rather than just experimental projects.
What Does Red Velvet Need to Stay Relevant?
Red Velvet still has a unique musical identity, but to maintain their status, they need to:
🔹 Strategize stronger comebacks and avoid long gaps between releases.
🔹 Release viral-friendly songs rather than relying solely on artistic musicality.
🔹 Leverage social media more effectively—something NewJeans and aespa have mastered.
With their existing potential and reputation, Red Velvet is far from being “washed up.” However, if they don’t adapt, they risk fading into the background in K-pop’s ever-evolving landscape.
👉 “Will Red Velvet write the next chapter of their success, or will fans be left holding onto old albums, saying, ‘Back in the day, my queens ruled’?”
