Yeri

Who Is Yeri of Red Velvet?

Yeri is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actress, best known as the youngest member, sub-vocalist, and sub-rapper of the K-pop girl group Red Velvet. Born Kim Ye-rim on March 5, 1999, in Seoul, Yeri has grown from the group’s bubbly maknae into a confident artist balancing music, television hosting, and acting.

Early Life and Trainee Years

Yeri grew up in Seoul, South Korea, the eldest of four daughters, with three younger sisters. She joined SM Entertainment in 2011 after auditioning at just eleven years old, training under the company’s pre-debut team, SM Rookies, for nearly four years before her official debut. During this time, she even made a brief appearance in Red Velvet’s very first music video, “Happiness,” before formally joining the group.

Joining Red Velvet

On March 11, 2015, Yeri was introduced as Red Velvet’s fifth member, completing the group’s lineup alongside Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Joy. She officially debuted with the release of the EP “Ice Cream Cake” days later. As the group’s sub-vocalist, sub-rapper, and maknae, Yeri’s bright, youthful voice became closely tied to the group’s playful “Red” concept, and her vocal presence has steadily grown across releases like “Russian Roulette,” “Red Flavor,” “Bad Boy,” and “Feel My Rhythm.”

Broadcasting, Songwriting, and Acting

Outside of music, Yeri has built a wide-ranging career in entertainment. She co-hosted MBC’s Show! Music Core shortly after her debut and later fronted her own web reality series, Yeri’s Room, in 2020. She has also appeared on variety programs including Secret Unnie and Law of the Jungle in Thailand. A skilled songwriter, Yeri has contributed lyrics to tracks for both herself and other artists, including Red Velvet’s own “Red Flavor” rap verse. On screen, she made her acting debut in 2021 with Drama Stage’s “Mint Condition” and the web series Blue Birthday, later taking on a lead role in the Netflix series Bitch X Rich in 2023.

A New Chapter

In April 2025, SM Entertainment announced that Yeri’s exclusive contract with the company had ended, though she continues to promote and perform as a full member of Red Velvet. The following month, she signed with Blitzway Entertainment to further pursue acting under her birth name, Kim Ye-rim, while remaining active in group activities such as the 2026 comeback “Velvet Summer.”

Personal Life and Personality

Yeri is known among fans and members alike for her witty, outgoing personality and sharp sense of humor. She enjoys songwriting, reading, and playing guitar in her free time, and has spoken about her close friendships with fellow idols and industry peers. Her nicknames include “Squirtle,” due to her resemblance to the Pokémon character, and “Yeriana,” a nod to her love of singer Ariana Grande.

Quick Facts About Yeri

From her days as Red Velvet’s cheerful maknae to her evolving career in acting and songwriting, Yeri continues to prove that she is far more than just the youngest member of the group.