Irene (아이린) Real Name: Bae Joo-hyun (배주현) — 본명

Quick answer

Irene's real name is Bae Joo-hyun (Korean: 배주현). Born March 29, 1991, she is the leader of SM Entertainment girl group Red Velvet.

Real name and stage name

Irene (아이린) is the stage name of Bae Joo-hyun (배주현). Unlike members who use their own given names, she performs under an English name, a common SM Entertainment practice for idols.

Bae Joo-hyun was born on March 29, 1991. She is best known as a member and the leader of Red Velvet, which SM Entertainment debuted in 2014. The Korea Herald covered the group's debut that year. Red Velvet became known for switching between a bright "red" pop concept and a smoother "velvet" R&B side, and it is one of the most respected girl groups of its generation.

Irene is also part of the sub-unit Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, which she formed with bandmate Seulgi.

Outside the group she has worked widely as a host. She hosted the music program Music Bank from 2015 to 2016, Laundry Day from 2016 to 2017, and Irene's Work & Holiday in 2022, as well as various music festivals and award events.

As an actress, Irene starred in the web drama Women at a Game Company (2016) and played a lead role in the film Double Patty (2021).

Irene is often described by media as one of K-pop's best-known visual members, and as leader she represents Red Velvet in official appearances. To answer the main question: Irene's real name is Bae Joo-hyun.