Wendy (웬디)

Red Velvet's main vocalist Son Seung Wan, known professionally as Wendy, built her reputation on a voice that has long been considered the melodic anchor of one of SM Entertainment's most commercially durable groups. Her 2021 solo debut EP *Like Water* marked the first time that voice carried an entire project on its own terms — a measured, R&B-leaning release that demonstrated considerable range beyond the group setting she had occupied since Red Velvet's formation.

Debut and early career

Wendy first appeared publicly through SM Rookies, SM Entertainment's pre-debut training and promotional program, before debuting with Red Velvet in 2014. Within the group she holds the position of main vocalist, a role that placed her at the center of some of Red Velvet's most vocally demanding material across the group's dual musical identities — the bright, pop-oriented "Red" side and the darker, more atmospheric "Velvet" side. Her first solo credit of note came in 2016 with the single "Spring Love", a collaboration that served as an early indicator of how her voice translated outside the group format.

Solo discography

The full scope of Wendy's solo ambitions came into focus with *Like Water* in 2021, her debut extended play under SM Entertainment. The project arrived after a period away from the stage following an injury sustained in late 2019, making its release a significant moment of return. The record's softer, introspective tone — distinct from Red Velvet's more high-energy output — showed a deliberate effort to establish a solo identity grounded in vocal-forward production.

Her second EP, *Wish You Hell*, followed in 2024, and marked a shift in tone. Where *Like Water* leaned into restraint and warmth, *Wish You Hell* introduced a sharper, more assertive edge, suggesting an ongoing willingness to expand her solo palette rather than settle into a fixed sound. A third EP, *Cerulean Verge*, was released in 2025, continuing her run of solo output under the SM label. Across these releases, individual compositions including "Why Can't You Love Me?" and "When This Rain Stops" have featured among her credited musical works.

Group and unit activities

Beyond Red Velvet's main discography, Wendy has participated in SM Entertainment's broader unit ecosystem. She is a member of GOT the beat (stylized as Got the Beat), an SM female artist supergroup operating under the Girls on Top sub-label, which brought together vocalists and performers from several of the label's flagship acts. The unit represented one of SM's more high-profile attempts to build cross-group collaborative projects into a sustained format rather than a one-off event.

Recent activities

Wendy completed her first solo world tour, W:EALIVE, a milestone that extended her reach as a solo act to an international live audience. She has also joined the variety program *The Scout*, adding television presence to an already active schedule. An upcoming appearance on JTBC's *Knowing Bros* alongside vocalists Kim Jae-hwan, Kim Jong-seo, Kang Kyun-sung, and Im Jung-hee places her in a multi-generational vocal showcase context — a setting that reflects the regard in which her voice is held within the broader Korean music industry.

Standing

Within the landscape of fourth-generation and transitional-era K-pop, Wendy occupies a specific position: a group vocalist who has built a credible solo career without departing from her primary act, releasing three EPs across four years while maintaining an active presence in both group and unit work. Polling data from 2026 has consistently placed her near the top of public popularity surveys, pointing to an appeal that extends beyond a dedicated fandom into broader public recognition. Her career arc — from pre-debut trainee through group anchor to solo touring artist — reflects the fuller trajectory that SM Entertainment has increasingly supported for its established vocalists.