Red Velvet Irene's "Real" Height Triggers Heated Debate

A recent post on Pann has sparked widespread discussion regarding Red Velvet Irene‘s “real” height and stirred up scrutiny from Korean netizens.

Titled “Serious Question. Is Irene 150cm Tall?” the post has garnered over 103,100 views and a multitude of comments dissecting the issue.

irene heartb_beat329 twt — | *@heartb_beat329/X (formerly known as Twitter)*

The original poster juxtaposes Irene’s height with that of her fellow member Seulgi, whose profile lists her at 161cm. Even after accounting for a potential 2-3cm discrepancy, the alleged difference between Irene and Seulgi — as well as with Yeri and Wendy at approximately 156-7cm — remains a focal point of contention.

Considering Seulgi’s profile says 161cm, even accounting for a 2-3cm discrepancy, I don’t get her height difference with Seulgi… That would make Yeri and Wendy also around 156-7, too. Wouldn’t it? There’s quite a difference with them, too.

— OP on Pann

Attached to the post is a screenshot from Red Velvet’s recent comeback stage, in which Irene appears notably shorter than the rest of the group. However, keen-eyed netizens pointed out in the comments that Irene’s posture in the screenshot, due to the “Cosmic” choreography, involves a hunched stance with bent legs.

irene-music-bank-dearenebeloved — | *@dearenebeloved/X (formerly known as Twitter)*

Red Velvet members, excluding Joy who notably stands taller, are popular for their petite frames and have even gone viral multiple times for looking much, much smaller next to young K-Pop groups.

help so is red velvet really THAT tiny?? sooyoung had to bow her head to talk to irene and seulgi and aespa?😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/taqYvVqXE6

— my (derogatory) (@aescakegirlies) February 2, 2021

I thought this was one of those edited photos but no, Wendy, Seulgi, Irene and Yeri are really short next to Joy 😆 pic.twitter.com/dgwV645CSB

— yeriette | Cosmic ✴️ (@yeripurp) July 9, 2021

The comments section reflects a variety of opinions, with some debating the significance of height when assessing Irene’s overall appeal if you consider her visuals and popularity.

“Irene is petite, but isn’t she slightly hunched in that photo?”
“Height doesn’t matter when you look like Irene. Haha.”
“Wow, how did they pick such tiny members except for Joy… SM Entertainment must not care too much about height, considering they pick male idols in the 160cm range, too.”
“Lol, the height difference with Seulgi isn’t that much to begin with. Don’t be stirring up rumors, claiming Irene to be 150cm with a photo like that.”
“Irene is bending her legs, isn’t she?”