South Korean singer Seulgi of girl group Red Velvet will remain an artist of SM Entertainment.
Korean media STARNEWS first reported on Monday, August 21 that the idol renewed her exclusive contract with the agency. But it was only on Tuesday, August 22, that a representative of SM Entertainment confirmed the news.
[PRESS] 230821 StarNews reports that #SEULGI has recently renewed her contract with SM Entertainment. Although it was not previously reported, Red Velvet seems to have renewed once after the initial 7-year contract in 2021.https://t.co/Y98UPGv987#슬기 @RVsmtown pic.twitter.com/uWMuWoaqkf
— KSG Updates (@KSGUpdates) August 21, 2023
However, the agency didn’t disclose when the contract was signed and what are its terms. Aside from Seulgi, It also remains unclear whether other Red Velvet members also renewed their contracts with the agency.
It was in August 2014 when Red Velvet initially made its debut as a four-piece act. In March 2015, Yeri was added to the group during their first full-length album Ice Cream Cake.
Additionally, fans are speculating that this is Seulgi’s second renewal with the label. SM Entertainment never confirmed it but it was concluded by fans that Red Velvet renewed their contract in 2021. This is because standard contracts for idols are only seven years long.
Seulgi’s activities as an artist
Red Velvet is known for their tracks “Red Flavor,” “Psycho,” “Power Up,” “Queendom” and “Feel My Rhythm.” The act recently embarked on their R to V concert world tour.
Aside from full group activities, Seulgi also got involved in sub-unit and solo ventures. She is part of the group’s first sub-unit Red Velvet: Irene & Seulgi, which debuted in July 2020 with Monster.
Meanwhile, she made her solo debut in October 2022 with the release of 28 Reasons.
Apart from Red Velvet though, Seulgi is also a member of SM Entertainment’s supergroup GOT The Beat. This sub-unit is the inaugural combination of the project group Girls on Top.
Changes in SM Entertainment
Interestingly, Seulgi’s contract renewal is one of the recent good updates with SM Entertainment.
For 2023, the agency has been embroiled in controversy, with several artists leaving its label.
In June, EXO members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin moved to terminate their exclusive contracts with SM Entertainment. Thankfully, the legal battle reached an “amicable compromise” and the three members remain with the group and agency.
In July, Super Junior members Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Kyuhyun left the agency. Despite their departure from the agency as individuals, the three will continue participating as members of Super Junior.
Most recently, in early August, SNSD’s Sunny left SM Entertainment after 16 years.
Featured image: Seulgi in the teasers for Red Velvet’s ‘ReVe Festival 2022 – Birthday’ album. Credit: Facebook/Red Velvet