Red Velvet’s Yeri Reveals She Did Not Want To Join The Group
Fans were left stunned when Red Velvet’s Yeri disclosed during a recent variety show that she initially declined the opportunity to join the group.
The staggering news came during an appearance on Shin Dong Yup‘s popular drinking show, where Yeri — along with fellow members Seulgi and Joy — shared some untold stories from their trainee days.
Currently promoting their latest mini-album, “Cosmic,” Red Velvet has been making rounds on various YouTube shows. However, Yeri’s confession about her early hesitations to debut with the group took center stage in their latest appearance.
Originally, Red Velvet was set to debut as a quartet, with Yeri training to be the center of a future girl group. But plans changed, and Yeri found herself being asked to join Red Velvet in 2015, just before the release of “Ice Cream Cake.”
Yeri revealed that she struggled with the decision because she felt like she was leaving behind her friends and fellow trainees she had grown close to during her training period. She explained that her trainee friends were the only companions she had, as she didn’t have many friends from school due to the rigorous training schedule.
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In a moment of frustration and guilt, Yeri even claimed she would rather not debut as an idol at all. She was prepared to abandon her idol dreams if it meant staying loyal to her friends.
Then I don’t want to debut. I’ll just act!
— Red Velvet’s Yeri
"THEN I DONT WANT TO DEBUT"
"I'LL JUST ACT"Yeri when she first heard she's joining Red Velvet bc she feels like she's betraying her friends. friends that she considered her school friends bc she dropped out to become a trainee so she doesnt have much memories in school😭 pic.twitter.com/qEfRQCKS0r
— 김 (@soshirevelae) July 1, 2024
Despite these initial feelings, Yeri eventually joined Red Velvet and quickly formed strong bonds with the other members. The age gap didn’t hinder their friendship, and Yeri soon felt at home with her new group.
Today, the five members of Red Velvet are beloved by fans worldwide, and Yeri’s heartfelt confession only deepens the appreciation for the group’s journey and the challenges they’ve overcome. You can watch the full episode here: