Yeri

Yeri, born Kim Ye-rim on March 5, 1999 in Seoul, South Korea, is a singer, actress, and television personality best known as the youngest member of the K-pop girl group Red Velvet. She joined the group in March 2015, several months after their debut, and quickly became a fan favorite for her bright personality and versatile skills as a vocalist, rapper, and dancer. As of 2026, she is 27 years old, stands 160 cm tall, has blood type O, and her MBTI is INTP. Her representative color is purple, animal is turtle, and fruit is violet grape. She is the only Red Velvet member to join after the group's official debut, a rare move that enhanced the group's appeal and longevity. Her aesthetic blends cute concepts with evolving elegant or experimental styles, and she is known for her casual, emoji-heavy social media presence on Instagram (@yerimiese) and YouTube (yerimiese).[edit]

Yeri was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She showed early interest in performance and was scouted by SM Entertainment at age 12 during the SM Weekly Audition in 2011. She trained for roughly four years, appearing as part of the pre-debut SM Rookies team. During her trainee period, she featured in music videos for Henry Lau's 1-4-3 (I Love You) and SHINee's Why So Serious?, and made a brief cameo in Red Velvet's debut MV for Happiness in 2014. She also performed with SM Rookies on the SM Town Live World Tour IV in 2014, gaining early exposure to the K-pop industry. She graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School (also called Hanlim Arts High School) in February 2018, a prestigious performing arts school in Seoul.[edit]

Yeri was officially added to Red Velvet on March 11, 2015, making her debut on the mini-album Ice Cream Cake, which became a commercial breakthrough with the title track achieving strong chart performance and marking the group's first music show wins. As the group's maknae, she contributed to hit songs like Dumb Dumb, Russian Roulette, Red Flavor, and Psycho, and albums such as The Red (2015), Perfect Velvet (2017), The ReVe Festival series (2019), and Chill Kill (2023), helping establish Red Velvet as one of the top K-pop girl groups with multiple Billboard World Albums chart entries and strong domestic sales. She co-hosted MBC's Show! Music Core from 2015 to 2016 alongside N of VIXX and Minho of SHINee, and hosted The Viewable SM in 2016. In 2019, she participated in Law of the Jungle in Thailand. In 2020, she launched and hosted her own reality-variety show Yeri's Room on YouTube. She made her acting debut in the lead role of the web drama Blue Birthday in 2021. In 2023, she won the APAN Star Award for Excellence Award, Actress in a Webseries for Bitch X Rich, and the Brand Customer Loyalty Award for Best Female Idol–Actor. In April 2025, after her exclusive contract with SM Entertainment expired, she signed with Blitzway Entertainment to focus on acting and individual activities while continuing group promotions with Red Velvet. She also has endorsement deals with brands like AprilSkin Korea since 2020 and a lipstick collection under Colette.[edit]

Yeri is widely perceived as the bright, youthful, and relatable maknae of Red Velvet, known for her bubbly personality and increasingly mature presence. Her aesthetic blends cute concepts with evolving elegant or experimental styles, reflecting the group's dual 'Red' and 'Velvet' imagery. Fans affectionately call her 'Squirtle' due to her resemblance to the Pokémon character, and her representative symbols include the color purple, the turtle, and violet grape. The official fandom name is ReVeluv, and fan culture emphasizes supportive rituals around her birthday (March 5) and solo content. On social media, Yeri maintains a casual, emoji-heavy, and interactive voice, often engaging directly with fans. She is portrayed in media as the energetic and bright member who brings group cohesion, and her late addition to Red Velvet is seen as a move that enhanced the group's appeal and longevity.[edit]

Yeri has cultivated a fanbase that thrives on the unique narrative of her late arrival to the group, turning what could have been a transition into a foundational legend. Her audience is deeply invested in the lore of her initial refusal to debut, a story she confirmed in interviews that now serves as a beloved piece of Red Velvet history. This community is known for its emotional engagement with the group's entire discography, particularly during viral resurgences like the 2016 track 'Russian Roulette,' which sparked a wave of nostalgic appreciation years after its release. While fans affectionately call themselves ReVeluv and cherish Yeri's candid interactions ranging from her sharp return messages to her cultural explorations like visiting the Taj Mahal, there is no distinct sub-fandom name exclusively dedicated to her individual activities.

Her standing in the global entertainment landscape reflects this enduring relevance. She is currently ranked the 76th most famous person in K-Pop, a position that marks a slight shift down from her previous placement of 73rd. These rankings are part of the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, which track influence across media consumption signals worldwide without relying on simple search metrics.[edit]

Born Kim Ye-rim on March 5, 1999, Yeri carries the nickname 'Squirtle' due to her resemblance to the Pokémon character, alongside other monikers like Yeriana and Malgeumi. She favors pink, tuna kimchi fried rice, bread, and Hello Kitty, with 17 serving as her lucky number. Fans often discuss the verified story where Yeri initially refused to join Red Velvet, stating she would not make a debut at that time, a moment that explains her unique entry into the group in March 2015. This reluctance has become a cherished piece of lore among followers who celebrate her eventual acceptance and subsequent growth.

Her acting journey began with the web drama Blue Birthday, followed by an award-winning performance in Bitch X Rich. Beyond music, she hosts her own variety show, Yeri's Room, and has contributed lyrics to several group tracks. In April 2025, she parted ways with SM Entertainment for solo activities while continuing group promotions under new arrangements. The fandom also celebrates the 2026 viral resurgence of 'Russian Roulette,' which reminded audiences of her integral role in the group's classic era.[edit]

Yeri was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She has three younger sisters: Yoo-rim (Yu-rim), Ye-eun, and Chae-eun. Her family life remains largely private, and she has not publicly disclosed details about her parents.[edit]

Yeri is most closely associated with her Red Velvet bandmates Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Joy. She also worked with SHINee's Minho and VIXX's N as co-hosts on Show! Music Core. Additionally, she appeared in music videos for Henry Lau and SHINee before her debut. [edit]

Yeri has kept her romantic life private, and no credible sources have confirmed any dating relationships as of 2026. Tabloid rumours are not substantiated across multiple outlets. As of 2026, she is reported to be single, with no public romantic partner or children.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Yeri's net worth at $10 Million. This figure reflects her diverse income streams spanning Red Velvet's album sales, concert tours, and merchandise, alongside her lucrative work in acting and hosting. Her lead roles in the web drama Blue Birthday and the award-winning Bitch X Rich have significantly bolstered her career earnings. Since signing with Blitzway Entertainment in 2025, her focus on acting projects continues to expand her financial portfolio. Endorsement partnerships with brands such as AprilSkin and Colette further contribute to her wealth, though specific salary details remain private. The bulk of her assets stems from her long-standing success in the K-pop industry and her successful transition into television and film.[edit]

Yeri has not won any major individual awards that are widely documented in English sources. As a member of Red Velvet, the group has received numerous awards, but individual award details are not available. [edit]