Joy

Who Is Joy of Red Velvet?

Joy is a South Korean singer, actress, and television host, best known as the lead rapper and sub-vocalist of the K-pop girl group Red Velvet. Born Park Soo-young on September 3, 1996, Joy has grown from a bright-eyed trainee into one of the most versatile idols of her generation, balancing group promotions, a solo music career, and a growing list of acting credits.

Early Life and Trainee Years

Joy was born and raised on Jeju Island before her family moved to Dobong District in Seoul, where she grew up as the eldest of three sisters. As a child, she loved trot music and first discovered her love of singing after performing at a school festival. That spark eventually led her to audition for SM Entertainment at the 2012 SM Global Audition in Seoul. Unlike her groupmates, Joy skipped the SM Rookies pre-debut program entirely, training for about two years before she was introduced as the fourth member of a brand-new girl group.

Debut With Red Velvet

Joy debuted with Red Velvet on August 1, 2014, alongside Irene, Seulgi, and Wendy, through the digital single “Happiness.” The group’s blend of bubbly “Red” pop and mature “Velvet” R&B quickly set them apart, and Joy’s rich, emotionally expressive vocals became a signature part of the group’s sound. As the group’s lead rapper and sub-vocalist, she has been part of every era since, from “Ice Cream Cake” and “Red Flavor” to “Bad Boy,” “Psycho,” “Feel My Rhythm,” and their most recent releases.

Solo Career and Acting

Joy’s talents reach well beyond the group. In 2017, she made her acting debut as the female lead in tvN’s music drama The Liar and His Lover, winning the Newcomer Award at the OSEN Cable TV Awards. She went on to headline Tempted (2018), The One and Only (2021), and the Netflix hit Once Upon a Small Town (2022), the latter earning her nominations for Best Actress, Best New Actress, and the Popular Star Award at the Blue Dragon Series Awards. On the music side, Joy released her retro-inspired debut EP Hello in May 2021, followed by her first full mini album, From Joy, with Love, in August 2025, led by the upbeat single “Love Splash!” She has also lent her voice to several hit OSTs, including “Introduce Me a Good Person” for Hospital Playlist, which topped multiple digital charts.

Personal Life and Personality

Off stage, Joy is known for being warm, expressive, and a little bit of a perfectionist. She’s an avid dog lover who regularly volunteers at animal shelters and owns a Maltese named Haetnim. Fans and fellow idols alike describe her as one of the most easygoing and cheerful members of Red Velvet, someone who gets emotional easily but always brings positive energy to every project she’s part of.

Quick Facts About Joy

From her debut with Red Velvet to her growing solo discography and acting resume, Joy continues to prove why she remains one of the most well-rounded and beloved idols in the K-pop industry today.