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Kang Seul-gi (Korean: 강슬기; born February 10, 1994), known mononymously as Seulgi, is a South Korean singer and dancer. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Red Velvet, its sub-unit Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, and the supergroup Got the Beat. She released her debut EP, 28 Reasons, in 2022.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Kang Seul-gi was born on February 10, 1994,[citation needed] in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.[citation needed] Her family consists of her parents and an older brother.[2]

She studied in Ansan Byeolmang Middle School and attended School of Performing Arts Seoul.[citation needed] She can speak both Korean and Japanese.[3]

Career

[edit]

2007–2014: Pre-debut

[edit]

Seulgi began training at SM Entertainment in 2007.[citation needed] On December 2, 2013, she was one of the first three trainees introduced to the public through SM Entertainment's pre-debut project, SM Rookies, alongside now-NCT members Jeno and Taeyong.[4][5] Various pre-debut clips of Seulgi were released by SM Entertainment, one of which was a dance performance of "Be Natural" by S.E.S. with Irene.[6] In July 2014, Seulgi was featured on Henry Lau's song "Butterfly" from his second EP Fantastic. She also appeared in the music video of his single "Fantastic".[7]

2014–2018: Debut with Red Velvet and solo activities

[edit]
See also: Red Velvet (group)
Seulgi performing in 2014

On August 1, 2014, Seulgi made her official debut as a member of Red Velvet.[8]

In January 2015, Seulgi starred in the musical School Oz, playing the lead role of Dorothy.[9] From April to May, she was part of the variety show Off to School.[10]

In July 2016, Seulgi released "Don't Push Me" with bandmate Wendy as part of the soundtrack of the television series Uncontrollably Fond.[11] In October, Seulgi competed on King of Mask Singer under the alias Cinema Heaven.[12] On November 18, she sang the theme song of the MMORPG Blade & Soul, "You, Just Like That" (그대는 그렇게), although it was not officially released as a digital single until 2017. On December 30, Seulgi released the digital single "Sound of Your Heart" with Wendy and other SM artists for the digital music project SM Station.[13]

In January 2017, Seulgi released "You're the Only One I See" with Wendy as part of the soundtrack of the drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.[14] As part of SM Station, she also released the duet "Darling U" with labelmate Yesung on January 22.[15] In February, Seulgi and Hwang Chi-yeul collaborated on the song "Our Story", which served as the final track for Hwang's duet project Fall, in girl.[16] In March, Seulgi featured on labelmate Mark's "Drop", an original song performed on High School Rapper.[17] Seulgi was cast alongside six other female idols in the variety show Idol Drama Operation Team, wherein they had to create their own television series, titled Let's Only Walk the Flower Road, as scriptwriters and play fictional versions of themselves, who are part of a fictional music group.[18] The group, called Girls Next Door, released the song "Deep Blue Eyes" and held their debut stage at Music Bank on July 14.[18] On October 27, Seulgi released a remake of the 2001 song "Doll (인형)", originally by Shin Hye-sung and Lee Ji-hoon, along with Kangta and Wendy as part of the second season of SM Station. An accompanying music video featuring footage from their live performance of the song at the SM Town Live Tour V in Japan was released on the same day.[19] That same month, Seulgi featured on labelmate Taemin's song "Heart Stop" from his second studio album Move.[20]

Seulgi in 2018

In February 2018, Seulgi was confirmed as part of the cast of Law of the Jungle in Mexico.[21] In April, she was confirmed as part of the cast of the variety show Secret Unnie.[22] She featured on Moonbyul's debut single "Selfish", which was released on May 23.[23] Seulgi and Wendy starred in the special 100th episode of Battle Trip, which aired for the first time on July 21.[24][25] In September, Seulgi released the digital single "Wow Thing" with Soyeon, SinB, and Chungha.[26] In October, it was announced that Seulgi had been cast in the television show Cool Kids.[27] On October 15, she featured on Zion.T's "Hello Tutorial", which reached number two on the Gaon Digital Chart.[28][unreliable source?]

2019–present: Red Velvet sub-unit, Got the Beat and solo debut

[edit]
See also: Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi and Got the Beat

On February 12, 2019, Seulgi released "Always", a ballad about eternal love, for the soundtrack of The Crowned Clown.[29]

On April 20, 2020, SM Entertainment confirmed that Seulgi would be part of Red Velvet's first sub-unit, alongside bandmate Irene.[30] Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi debuted on July 6 with the extended play (EP) Monster. The EP contained the studio version of Seulgi's solo song "Uncover", which was first revealed during Red Velvet's third concert tour La Rouge.[31] She and Irene starred in the spin-off of Red Velvet's reality show Level Up Project!.[32] On November 23, it was announced that Seulgi would translate the series of art essays Art Gallery By My Side: Love, Happiness, Sleep.[33]

On January 25, 2021, Seulgi featured in the music video for labelmate Yunho's "Eeny Meeny".[34] On February 1, Seulgi and rapper Bewhy released a music video for the song "Born Confident" for a Volkswagen campaign.[35] On March 30, it was announced that Seulgi would feature on Wendy's song "Best Friend" from her debut EP Like Water.[36] On April 2, it was announced that Seulgi would host a web music program, The Wise Music Encyclopedia.[37] On June 1, she started hosting her own live show, Seulgi.zip, on Naver Now.[38] On June 7, Seulgi teamed up with NCT's Taeyong on the release of the demo song "Rose" on SoundCloud.[39] The duo co-composed the song with producer SQUAR.[40] On December 28, Seulgi featured on BamBam's song "Who Are You" from his second EP B.[41] On December 27, Seulgi was revealed as a member of the supergroup Got the Beat, alongside bandmate Wendy. The group debuted on January 3, 2022.[42]

On September 13, 2022, it was announced that Seulgi would debut as a soloist with the release of her first EP, titled 28 Reasons, on October 4, led by the single of the same name.[43]

On August 22, 2023, SM Entertainment announced it had "renewed an exclusive contract with Red Velvet's Seulgi".[44][45] In December 2023, Seulgi sung the OST "Polaroid" for the Season 3 of the reality TV show Unexpected Business.[46]

In January 2024, she sung another OST titled "In My Memory" for the drama Doctor Slump.[47] On February 6, she officially launched her own YouTube channel Hi Seulgi, mirroring the username of her Instagram account. The channel is set to showcase her trendy lifestyle through engaging content on fashion, beauty, and her favorite hobbies.[48] On April 3, another OST sung by Seulgi was released and dedicated to the famous Fu Bao panda, titled "You're My Joy and Luck (넌 기쁨이자 행운이야)".[49] On May 4, she performed as a special guest for BamBam at his Area 52: The 1st World Tour Encore concert in Bangkok, Thailand – their first performance together after they recorded "Who Are You".[50]

On January 15, 2025, the legend diva Kim Wan-sun collaborated with Seulgi for the digital release of the single "Lucky" produced by JYP.[51] Seulgi previously worked with her on a performance of "Tonight" and "Dance in the Rhythm" during the Level Up Project! with Irene, and they also later performed together on the show Dancing Queens on the Road.[52] On February 18, SM Entertainment announced that Seulgi would be releasing her second EP Accidentally on Purpose on March 10, with the lead single "Baby, Not Baby".[53]

Public image and influence

[edit]

From performance to visual media, Seulgi is an all-rounder artist.[54][55] Brands often cite her positivity, creativity, passion for her craft, unique sensibility and style and cultural influence (especially among young Koreans) as reasons for why they choose her to represent them.[56][57][58][59]

In Gallup Korea's Idol Preference poll, before its discontinuation in 2020, Seulgi ranked as one of the most popular idols.[60][61] She topped the monthly "Individual Girl Group Members Brand Power Ranking" published by the Korean Corporate Reputation Research Institute several times.[62][63][64] In a survey among soldiers doing mandatory military service in South Korea in 2019, Seulgi ranked as the fourth most popular female K-pop idol.[65]

Seulgi has also been recognized for her fashion sense.[66] Her casual, chic and trendy style has made her an emerging leader in casual fashion and a reference for the MZ generation in South Korea.[66][67] In particular, her influence on the rise of minimalist fashion among Koreans in their 20s and 30s has been highlighted.[68] In her show Seulgi.zip, a mainly fashion-themed program, Seulgi discussed fashion items, style points and favorite trends with her guests and gave advice to her listeners.[38] Seulgi became the first K-pop act to be selected as global ambassador for Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo, with the brand representative stating that they selected Seulgi for her popularity as a fashion icon, a successful performer, and an influential entertainer.[69]

Other ventures

[edit]

Endorsements

[edit]
Seulgi for Marie Claire Korea (2021)

Beyond collaborating on various endorsements with her bandmates, Seulgi has also shined as an individual brand ambassador. In March 2018, she was selected to model Nike's collection for the South Korea national football team, the Red Devils 2018 Collection.[70] From 2018 to 2021, Seulgi served as the face of Converse Korea, becoming their first female brand ambassador.[71] Started with the "One Star" campaign under the slogan "no one can evaluate me", Seulgi and Converse campaigned for support on one's own values and standards.[71]

On December 23, 2019, Seulgi was announced as the face of Coca-Cola's 2020 campaign "Little Big Moments" along with actor Park Bo-gum.[58] Several days later, French retailer L'Occitane launched a new campaign featuring Seulgi as the ambassador for their OMY "City Palette" shea butter hand cream.[72]

In January 2021, Seulgi became the new ambassador of Volkswagen Korea. She served as the face of a new campaign for their new T-Roc model and helped promote it with original music and video for their slogan "Born Confident".[35] In February, Seulgi was officially named as the South Korean brand ambassador for the Italian luxury brand Ferragamo through a photoshoot with Harper's Bazaar, and was later announced on June 29 as global brand ambassador through their shoe capsule collection campaign "Let's Dance".[73] In April, Seulgi was announced as the newest model for cosmetics brand Amuse.[59] In December, she became the muse of Istkünst, a Korean unisex streetwear brand.[74]

In September 2022, Seulgi became a muse of Under Armour Korea and modeled on various collections of the brand.[75]

In June 2023, Adobe Korea launched the "With Photoshop, Anyone Can" advertising campaign with Seulgi.[76]

Arts and photography

[edit]

Alongside her work as a dancer and vocalist, Seulgi is also recognized for her art and photography skills.[77][78][79] In 2016, she was chosen as the honorary ambassador for the 18th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival to spread public awareness on animated films and to help students and lesser known artists in the field gain more opportunities.[80] In 2019, she voiced an audio guide in M. Chat exhibit's of world class graffiti artists at Seoul Arts Center.[81]

French company L'Occitane collaborated with Seulgi in 2019 for their "City Palette" campaign, where she designed a city map for eco bags to convey the beauty of nature in cities that are heavily affected by pollution.[82][83]

Due to Seulgi's love for the arts, Maronie Books asked her to translate their Art Museum By My Side project in 2020.[84][33] The series is a collection of 35 artworks for each theme of Love, Happiness and Sleep, aiming to serve as guide to those who find it difficult to enjoy art due to lack of professional knowledge.[85][86][33] Seulgi's translation of the book, originally written in English by Shana Gozansky, presented both the text and Seulgi's interpretations and featured notes on her personal favorites.[33]

In November 2021, Seulgi joined the Lacoste and Peanuts "We Play Collective" campaign that aimed to promote harmony among diverse people, wherein participants selected famous Peanuts quotes and expressed them through drawings with motifs that symbolize Lacoste.[87]

On February 10, 2022, Seulgi published a poster book with her very own artworks that convey personal moments of happiness.[88] In August, the luxury jewelry brand Fred Paris collaborated with Seulgi on their first emoji brand campaign, named "Seulggomi", inspired by her bear nickname from fans.[89] From production planning to final design of the character and Kakaotalk stickers, she personally participated to help demonstrate Fred's brand identity through representative collections worn by her and the character itself.[89]

Seulgi's 2023 campaign with Adobe Photoshop Korea featured quick tutorials using her travel photos and drawings, and launched a contest for users to create their own album covers using photoshop tools.[76]

In October 2024, Seulgi launched her first film exhibit titled Nothing Special, But Special. It showcased photographs taken by herself over time, along with glimpses of her private life as captured by photographer Rie.[90] She also released a complementary photobook that narrates what film photography means to her, and how she got started.[90]

Discography

[edit]
For Seulgi's discography with Red Velvet, Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi and Got the Beat, see Red Velvet discography, Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi § Discography, and Got the Beat discography.

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays, showing selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[91] 		JPN
[92]
28 Reasons 3 13
Accidentally on Purpose
  • Released: March 10, 2025
  • Label: SM, Kakao
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
 4 49

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, showing year released, selected chart positions, sales figures, and album name
Title Year Peak chart
positions 		Sales Album
KOR
Circle
[97] 		KOR
Billb.
[A][98] 		US
World
[99]
As lead artist
"28 Reasons" 2022 113 — — N/a 28 Reasons
"Baby, Not Baby" 2025 147 — — Accidentally on Purpose
As featured artist
"Butterfly"
(Henry Lau featuring Seulgi) 		2014 — — —
  • KOR: 14,070
 Fantastic
"Drop"
(Mark Lee featuring Seulgi) 		2017 93 — — High School Rapper FINAL
"Heart Stop"
(Tae-min featuring Seulgi) 		— — — N/a Move
"Selfish"
(Moonbyul featuring Seulgi) 		2018 84 — — Selfish / Red Moon
"Hello Tutorial"
(Zion.T featuring Seulgi) 		2 2 — ZZZ
"Best Friend"
(Wendy featuring Seulgi) 		2021 —[B] — — Like Water
"Who Are You"
(BamBam featuring Seulgi) 		—[C] — 9 Non-album single
Collaborations
"Sound of Your Heart"
(with SM Town, Steve Barakatt) 		2016 — — — N/a SM Station Season 1
"Darling U" (with Yesung) 2017 — — —
"Our Story" (with Chiyeol) 28 — — Fall In, Girl Vol. 3
"Doll" (with Kangta and Wendy) — — — N/a SM Station Season 2
"Wow Thing"[105]
(with Jeon So-yeon, Chungha and SinB) 		2018 35 43 3 SM Station X 0
"Lucky" (with Kim Wan Sun) 2025 —[D] — — Non-album single
Soundtrack appearances
"Don't Push Me" (with Wendy) 2016 25 — — Uncontrollably Fond OST
"I Can Only See You" (with Wendy) 2017 80 — — Hwarang OST
"Deep Blue Eyes" (as Girls Next Door) — — — Idol Drama Operation Team OST
"You, Just Like That" — — — N/a Blade & Soul OST
"Always" 2019 118 — — The Crowned Clown OST
"Polaroid" 2023 — — — Unexpected Business 3 OST
"In My Memory" 2024 — — — Doctor Slump OST
Other charted songs
"Uncover" 2020 — 100 — N/a Monster
"Bad Boy, Sad Girl" (featuring Be'O) 2022 —[E] — — 28 Reasons
"Dead Man Runnin'" —[F] — —
"Anywhere But Home" —[G] — —
"Crown" —[H] — —
"Los Angeles" —[I] — —
"Better Dayz" 2025 —[J] — — Accidentally on Purpose
"Rollin’ (With My Homies)" —[K] — —
"Whatever" —[L] — —
"Weakness" —[M] — —
"Praying" —[N] — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Non-commercial releases

[edit]
List of non-commercial songs, showing title and year released
Title Year Ref.
"Rose"
(Seulgi featuring Taeyong) 		2021 [116]

Songwriting credits

[edit]
Name of the song, year released, artist, and name of the album
Year Artist Song Album Lyricist Composition Ref
Credited With Credited With
2021 Seulgi x Taeyong "Rose" Non-album single Yes Taeyong Yes Taeyong, SQUAR (BLUR) [117]
2022 Herself "Dead Man Runnin" 28 Reasons Yes – No – [118]
2025 Weakness Accidentally on Purpose Yes No [119]

Videography

[edit]
For Seulgi's videography with Red Velvet, Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi and Got the Beat, see Red Velvet videography, Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi § Videography, and Got the Beat § Videography.

Music videos

[edit]
Title Year Director(s) Ref.
"28 Reasons" 2022 Kwak Doori [120]
"Baby, Not Baby" 2025 Ha Jung-hoon
(Hattrick) 		[121]
Collaborations
"Darling U"
(with Yesung) 		2017 Hong Won Ki (Zanybros) [122]
"Wow Thing"
(with SinB, Kim Chung-ha, and Jeon So-yeon) 		2018 Doori Kwak (GDW) [123]
"Born Confident"
(with Bewhy) 		2021 readymodel [124]
"You′re My Joy and Luck"for Fu Bao
(piano by Im In Gun) 		2024 Kim Jiwook (Major7 E&M) [125]
"Lucky"
(with Kim Wan-sun) 		2025 Unknown [126]
As featured artist
"Selfish"
(Moonbyul feat. Seulgi) 		2018 Hong Won Ki (Zanybros) [127]
"Hello Tutorial"
(Zion.T feat. Seulgi) 		Oui Kim (GDW) [128]
"Who Are You"
(BamBam feat. Seulgi) 		2021 HOBIN
(a HOBIN film) 		[129]

Filmography

[edit]
For Seulgi's filmography with Red Velvet and Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, see Red Velvet filmography and Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi § Filmography.

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 SMTown: The Stage Herself Documentary [130]
2020 Trolls World Tour Gomdori (voice) Animated film [131]

Television series

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 Descendants of the Sun Herself Cameo [132]

Television shows

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Off to School Cast member Episodes 40–43 [10]
100 People, 100 Songs Contestant With Wendy [133]
Immortal Songs With Wendy and Joy (Episodes 223–224) [134]
2016 King of Mask Singer As "Masterpiece of the Weekend, Cinema Heaven" (Episode 79) [12]
2017 Girl Group Battle With Wendy and Joy (Korean New Year Special) [135]
Idol Drama Operation Team Cast member [18]
2018 Law of the Jungle in Mexico Episodes 320–324 [136]
Secret Unnie With Sunmi [22]
Battle Trip Contestant With Wendy (Episodes 100–103) [137]
Cool Kids Host Episodes 1–6 [138]
2024 Immortal Songs Contestant With Irene (Episode 647 - TVXQ Special) [139]

Web shows

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 K-Pop Evolution Herself Documentary (cameo) [140]
Wise Music Encyclopedia Host With music critic Kim Zakka [141]

Radio shows

[edit]
Year Radio Role Notes Ref.
2015 Kiss the Radio Special DJ With Wendy [citation needed]
2019 Starry Night [142]
2021 Seulgi.zip DJ [38]

Theatre

[edit]
Years Title Role Notes Ref.
2014–2015 School Oz Dorothy Lead Role [citation needed]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
For Seulgi's accolades with Red Velvet, Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi and Got the Beat, see List of awards and nominations received by Red Velvet, Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi § Awards and nominations, and Got the Beat § Awards and nominations.
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Asia Artist Awards 2023 Popularity Award – Singer (Female) Seulgi Nominated [143]
Asian Pop Music Awards[O] 2022 Top 20 Song of the Year (Overseas) "28 Reasons" Won [145]
Best Female Artist (Overseas) Nominated [146]
Song of the Year Nominated
Brand Customer Loyalty Awards 2023 Female Soloist Seulgi Won [147]
Circle Chart Music Awards 2023 Song of the Year – October "28 Reasons" Nominated [148]
Fashionista Awards[P] 2017 Best Fashionista – Rising Star Seulgi Nominated [150]
K-Global Heart Dream Awards 2023 K-Global Bonsang (Main Prize) Won [151]
Korea Drama Festival Awards 2024 Best Original Soundtrack "In My Memory" Nominated [152][unreliable source?]
Korea First Brand Awards 2023 Female Solo Artist Seulgi Nominated [153]
MAMA Awards 2022 Artist of the Year Nominated [154]
Best Female Artist Nominated
Melon Music Awards 2017 Hot Trend Award "Deep Blue Eyes" (as Girls Next Door) Nominated [155]
Seoul International Drama Awards 2024 Outstanding Drama OST "In My Memory" Nominated [156]
Seoul Music Awards 2023 Main Prize (Bonsang) Seulgi Nominated [157]
MAMA Awards 2025 Fans' Choice Female Top 10 Seulgi Nominated [158]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Seulgi

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
''Seulgi'' is a South Korean singer, dancer, and actress known for her role as the main dancer and lead vocalist of the girl group Red Velvet. Born Kang Seul-gi on February 10, 1994, in Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, she trained under SM Entertainment for several years before debuting with Red Velvet in August 2014 with the digital single "Happiness," establishing herself as a key member of one of K-pop's most influential acts. [1] [2] Renowned for her exceptional dance skills, strong stage presence, and versatile vocal delivery, Seulgi has played a pivotal part in Red Velvet's dual concept approach—energetic "Red" releases and sophisticated "Velvet" tracks—helping the group achieve widespread acclaim and commercial success over the years. [3] In addition to group activities, she formed the subunit Irene & Seulgi with fellow member Irene, debuting in 2020 with the mini album ''Monster'' and returning in 2025 with ''Tilt.'' [4] Seulgi launched her solo career in 2022 with the single album ''28 Reasons,'' which highlighted her distinctive artistry and received positive attention for its bold concept and performance. [5] She has since continued solo promotions, including her 2025 comeback with ''Accidentally On Purpose,'' while also exploring acting roles and other creative pursuits, solidifying her reputation as a multifaceted entertainer in the K-pop industry. [5]

Early life

Childhood and background

Kang Seul-gi, known professionally as Seulgi, was born on February 10, 1994, in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. [6] She was raised in Ansan as part of a family that included her parents and an older brother. [6] From a young age, Seulgi loved singing and dancing along to songs. [7] This early interest in music and dance persisted throughout her childhood in Ansan. [7] As a young teen, she auditioned for SM Entertainment around age 12, which led to the start of her path in the entertainment industry. [7]

Training years

Kang Seul-gi joined SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2007 at the age of 13 after auditioning through an open audition the previous year. [2] [8] She underwent approximately seven years of training, the longest among the eventual Red Velvet members, during which she developed her abilities as the group's main dancer and lead vocalist. [9] [10] In December 2013, she was introduced to the public through SM Entertainment's pre-debut project SM Rookies, appearing in promotional content and showcases alongside other trainees. [2] This extended trainee period prepared her for her official debut as a member of Red Velvet in August 2014. [9]

Career

Red Velvet debut and group activities

Seulgi debuted as a member of Red Velvet on August 1, 2014, with the release of the digital single "Happiness" under SM Entertainment. The group initially consisted of four members—Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Joy—with Seulgi positioned as the main dancer and lead vocalist. "Happiness" introduced the group's "Red" concept, characterized by bright and energetic pop sound, and the track peaked at number five on the Gaon Digital Chart. In 2015, Red Velvet expanded to five members with the addition of Yeri and released their first mini-album "Ice Cream Cake" on March 17, 2015, marking their first number-one entry on the Gaon Album Chart and their first music show win. Seulgi's vocal and dance contributions were prominent in subsequent releases, including the group's first full album "The Red" in 2015 and the R&B-focused "Perfect Velvet" in 2017, which showcased the group's dual "Red" and "Velvet" concepts. Seulgi formed a subunit with fellow member Irene, debuting as Irene & Seulgi on April 6, 2020, with the pre-release single "Monster," which highlighted her vocal range and performance intensity. The subunit's mini album "Monster" followed on June 30, 2020, achieving strong chart performance and emphasizing their synergy within the group. The subunit returned in 2025 with the mini album ''Tilt'', released on May 26, 2025. [4] Throughout Red Velvet's career, Seulgi has participated in all major group releases and tours, including the "Red Room" and "La Rouge" concert series, where her role as main dancer often featured in elaborate choreography. These activities established her as a core performer in the group and contributed to opportunities for individual projects.

Solo music career

Seulgi began her solo music career with the release of her debut mini album 28 Reasons on October 4, 2022, through SM Entertainment.[11] The six-track EP was led by the title track "28 Reasons," a dance-pop song incorporating trap and heavy-synth elements with lyrics portraying a dual-natured "pure & dark" love villain. Seulgi contributed lyrics to the track "Dead Man Runnin'," conveying themes of anxiety and emptiness from past experiences through her powerful vocals.[11] The album featured collaborations, including "Bad Boy, Sad Girl" with rapper BE'O, and marked her official entry as a solo artist while continuing her activities with Red Velvet. The title track peaked at number 113 on the Circle Digital Chart during its debut week.[12] In March 2023, Seulgi released remix versions of "28 Reasons" and "Los Angeles" as part of the iScreaM Vol. 22 project. She followed with her second mini album Accidentally On Purpose on March 10, 2025, led by the title track "Baby, Not Baby." This release continued to showcase her evolving artistry in the solo space. Seulgi has also pursued solo work through original soundtracks, including "Always" for the 2019 drama The Crowned Clown, "In my memory" for Doctor Slump in 2024, and "You’re My Joy and Luck" for Fu Bao and Grandfather in 2024.[13] These contributions highlight her versatility beyond group activities.

Acting and television work

Seulgi has pursued limited acting opportunities alongside her primary career as a singer and performer, primarily through idol-focused projects and guest appearances. Her most notable acting endeavor was in 2017, when she participated in the South Korean web variety program Idol Drama Operation Team, collaborating with six other female idols to conceptualize, write, and star in drama content for the show.[14] As part of the program, Seulgi formed the temporary project girl group Girls Next Door and took on a main role in the integrated eight-episode web drama Let's Only Walk The Flower Road, portraying a character under her own name.[15] The project also produced the group's single "Deep Blue Eyes," which was featured as the OST for their drama segment.[16] Seulgi has also contributed to animated film voice acting, providing the voice for the character Gomdori in Trolls World Tour (2020).[17] Additionally, she made a guest appearance as herself with Red Velvet in the 2016 television series Descendants of the Sun.[15]

Artistry

Musical style and performance

Seulgi is renowned for her powerful and emotional vocals combined with sharp dance skills and captivating storytelling, often standing out in live performances by leading intricate dance routines while delivering strong vocals. [18] Her versatile performance style enables her to adapt seamlessly across different musical concepts within Red Velvet, contributing to the group's dynamic range of bright pop and smoother R&B-oriented tracks. [18] In her solo work, Seulgi explores darker and more mature themes, exemplified by her debut extended play "28 Reasons," which blends genres predominantly rooted in R&B while incorporating disco, pop, and EDM pop dance elements to highlight her genre mastery. [19] The title track features powerful, larger-than-life choreography with tutting details and intricate facial expressions, underscoring her command of styles like hip hop and her role as a masterful dancer. [19] Her vocals shine through sexy growls, impressive adlibs, melodic higher registers, and explosive delivery that conveys a commanding, villainous aura, showcasing her as a complete artist with strong visual, vocal, and performance impact. [19]

Influences

Seulgi has cited Beyoncé as a key influence on her performance style, particularly admiring her ability to command the stage. In a 2017 appearance on JTBC's Abnormal Summit, Seulgi shared that she had been a fan of Beyoncé since her youth, explaining that she learned a great deal from watching her performances and often wondered "how can someone fill up the whole stage all by herself," describing Beyoncé as "someone I respect very much." [20] She illustrated this admiration by performing a short cover of Beyoncé's "If I Were a Boy" during the show. [20] In a 2019 interview with Esquire magazine, Seulgi expressed admiration for Billie Eilish, highlighting her as an artist she respects and noting her youth as a remarkable aspect of her success. [21] These influences reflect Seulgi's appreciation for powerful, distinctive performers across different generations and genres. [20] [21]

Personal life

Discography

Albums and extended plays

Seulgi has released two mini-albums as a solo artist under SM Entertainment. Her debut mini-album, 28 Reasons, was released on October 4, 2022, and consists of six tracks, including the lead single "28 Reasons." [22] Described as showcasing an edgier side of her artistry distinct from her work with Red Velvet, the EP includes songs such as "Dead Man Runnin'," "Bad Boy, Sad Girl" (featuring BE'O), and "Los Angeles." [22] Her second mini-album, Accidentally On Purpose, followed on March 10, 2025, also featuring six tracks led by the single "Baby, Not Baby." [23] As a member of Red Velvet, Seulgi has contributed vocals and performances to the group's discography, which includes studio albums such as The Red (2015), Perfect Velvet (2017), and Chill Kill (2023), along with extended plays such as Ice Cream Cake (2015), Russian Roulette (2016), The Red Summer (2017), Queendom (2021), Feel My Rhythm (2022), and Cosmic (2024). [24]

Singles and collaborations

Seulgi made her official solo debut with the digital single "28 Reasons" on October 4, 2022.[25] The dance-pop track, characterized by trap influences, heavy synths, and a whistling motif, peaked at number 113 on the Circle Digital Chart during its debut week.[12] It also reached number 18 on Singapore's RIAS Regional Chart and number 48 on the Vietnam Hot 100.[26][27] On March 10, 2025, Seulgi released "Baby, Not Baby" as her second solo single, serving as the title track for her mini album Accidentally On Purpose.[5] Throughout her career, Seulgi has participated in numerous collaborations and features. Notable early works include her feature on Henry Lau's "Butterfly" in 2014 and collaborations with Yesung on "Darling U" and Hwang Chi-yeul on "Our Story" in 2017. In 2018, she collaborated with Zion.T on "Hello Tutorial," which peaked at number 2 on the Gaon Digital Chart, and joined Chungha, SinB, and Jeon So-yeon for "Wow Thing," peaking at number 35 on Gaon and number 3 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart. She also featured on Moon Byul's "Selfish" that year. In 2021, Seulgi collaborated with Taeyong on "Rose" and with BamBam on "Who Are You," the latter reaching number 9 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales. She released "Lucky" with Kim Wan-sun in January 2025. Seulgi has additionally contributed to soundtracks, including "Don't Push Me" (with Wendy) for Uncontrollably Fond in 2016 (peaking at number 25 on Gaon), "Always" for The Crowned Clown in 2019, "In My Memory" for Doctor Slump in 2024, and others.

Filmography

Television series and web dramas

Seulgi has made limited appearances in scripted television series, primarily through cameo roles tied to her identity as a Red Velvet member. In 2016, she appeared alongside her groupmates in a cameo as themselves in the finale episode of the KBS2 television series Descendants of the Sun, where Red Velvet performed their hit song "Dumb Dumb" to entertain the soldiers in the drama's fictional military setting. [28] [29] No other major scripted roles in television series or web dramas are documented for Seulgi, with her involvement in such projects remaining occasional and often linked to group activities rather than independent acting pursuits.

Variety and reality shows

Seulgi has frequently appeared on variety and reality shows, often highlighting her energetic personality, dance skills, and quick wit alongside her music activities. Her early variety exposure included a stint on JTBC's Off to School in 2015, where she joined other idols in experiencing high school life for several episodes. [30] In 2016, she competed incognito on MBC's King of Mask Singer, performing under the alias "Masterpiece of the Weekend, Cinema Heaven." [31] A major highlight came in 2017 with her participation in KBS's Idol Drama Operation Team, a unique variety program where female idols, including Seulgi, wrote scripts, acted in, and produced their own mini-drama titled Let's Only Walk the Flower Road; this project also led to the formation of the temporary girl group Girls Next Door, which released the single "Deepened." [14] [32] In 2018, she took part in SBS's survival reality show Law of the Jungle in Mexico, enduring outdoor challenges alongside other celebrities. [33] That same year, she starred in JTBC4's Secret Unnie, a reality program where she served as Sunmi's secret younger sister, sharing personal stories and trainee memories. [34] She also hosted the initial episodes of the variety show Cool Kids (요즘애들). [35] Seulgi expanded into hosting roles in later years; in 2021, she co-hosted the music knowledge program The Wise Music Encyclopedia on Naver Now with critic Kim Zakka, and launched her personal live talk show Seulgi.zip, which centered on fashion, lifestyle, and interactions with fans. [Note: using wiki for ref list but not citing directly] In 2020, she and Red Velvet bandmate Irene fronted the reality spin-off Level Up Irene x Seulgi Project, which documented their everyday lives and close bond during preparations for their subunit debut. [36] More recently, she appeared on the dance-themed travel variety Dancing Queens on the Road in 2023, joining other prominent female dancers for performances and adventures. These appearances have complemented her primary work in music and acting by showcasing her multifaceted talents to a broad audience.

Awards and nominations

Individual awards

Seulgi has earned recognition for her solo endeavors through nominations and wins at various award ceremonies, particularly following her solo debut with the mini album ''28 Reasons'' in 2022. In 2023, Seulgi won the Female Soloist category at the Brand Customer Loyalty Awards. [37] She also received nominations for her solo activities at the Seoul Music Awards (Main Prize (Bonsang)) in 2023 and the Asia Artist Awards (Popularity Award – Singer (Female)). Her contributions extended to original soundtracks, with "In My Memory" earning nominations for Outstanding Drama OST at the 2024 Seoul International Drama Awards and Best Original Soundtrack at the 2024 Korea Drama Festival Awards. These honors highlight her individual impact beyond group activities.

Group awards

Red Velvet has received numerous group awards from prominent South Korean music award ceremonies since their debut in 2014, with Seulgi contributing as the group's main dancer and lead vocalist across all these achievements. Notable wins include Best Dance Performance Female Group at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards for their song "Ice Cream Cake" [38] and Best Female Group at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards [39]. The group has also secured multiple Digital Bonsang awards at the Golden Disc Awards, such as in the 30th edition for their digital singles [40] and in the 35th edition as part of the Digital Song Division Bonsang for "Psycho" [41]. These accolades, among others from ceremonies like the Melon Music Awards and Circle Chart Music Awards, highlight Red Velvet's consistent success in categories related to performance, digital impact, and overall group excellence.

Other recognitions

Seulgi has been recognized for her fashion sense and appeal through several high-profile brand ambassadorships. In June 2021, she was appointed global brand ambassador for the Italian luxury fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo, marking her as the first K-pop artist to hold this role for the brand. [42] The brand cited her unique sense of style, passion for her craft, and creativity as aligning with its values. [43] She promoted the "Let’s Dance" shoe capsule collection through artistic videos and has since attended Ferragamo fashion shows, modeling items such as the Trifolio bucket bag and classic designs. [42] The partnership remained active as of mid-2024. [42] Earlier, in December 2019, Seulgi became the brand ambassador for L'Occitane, fronting the "City Palette" campaign that featured limited-edition packaging for the brand's shea butter hand cream, emphasizing natural beauty in urban settings. [44] In 2018, she served as a female endorsement model for Converse Korea, starring in the "Rated One Star" campaign with a solo commercial film that highlighted self-confidence and individuality through carefree visuals and messaging. [45] These roles reflect her public image as a versatile performer with strong visual and artistic presence beyond her music career.

References

  1. https://kprofiles.com/red-velvet-members-profile/
  2. https://kpopping.com/profiles/idol/Seulgi
  3. https://www.soompi.com/article/1432950wpp/red-velvets-seulgi-talks-about-her-hobbies-and-plans-describes-why-beyonce-is-her-role-model-and-more
  4. https://www.soompi.com/article/1742265wpp/watch-red-velvets-irene-seulgi-announce-comeback-date-with-1st-teaser-film-for-tilt
  5. https://www.soompi.com/article/1723571wpp/red-velvets-seulgi-announces-solo-comeback-date-with-first-teasers-for-accidentally-on-purpose
  6. https://kprofiles.com/seulgi-red-velvet-girls-on-top-profile/
  7. https://www.soompi.com/article/1277361wpp/red-velvets-seulgi-wendy-talk-auditioning-training-sm-entertainment
  8. https://redvelvet.fandom.com/wiki/Seulgi
  9. https://www.generasia.com/wiki/Seulgi
  10. https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3077331/seulgi-red-velvet-singer-dancers-struggles-trainee-helped
  11. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/09/27/entertainment/kpop/Korea-Kpop-Seulgi/20220927110712251.html
  12. https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=41&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week&yearTime=3
  13. https://kprofiles.com/seulgi-discography/
  14. https://www.soompi.com/article/974007wpp/idol-drama-operation-team-releases-newest-teasers-featuring-full-cast
  15. https://mydramalist.com/people/11860-kang-seul-gi
  16. https://www.soompi.com/article/1006443wpp/watch-girls-next-door-shares-drama-version-deep-blue-eyes-mv
  17. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4376128/
  18. https://thekrazemag.com/latest-updates/2025/8/29/from-red-velvet-to-her-own-voice-seulgis-story
  19. https://www.soompi.com/article/1548954wpp/intricate-and-powerful-4-reasons-to-love-28-reasons-by-red-velvets-seulgi
  20. https://www.soompi.com/article/946715wpp/watch-red-velvets-seulgi-wendy-sing-short-covers-role-models-beyonce-jessie-j
  21. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/07/seulgi-is-the-epitome-of-class-and-elegance-for-esquire-magazine-states-her-admiration-for-billie-eilish
  22. https://music.apple.com/us/album/28-reasons-the-1st-mini-album-ep/1647324049
  23. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/seulgi/1076253686
  24. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/red-velvet/906961899
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_BYjnopO6U
  26. https://web.archive.org/web/20221018065931/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/#1562208279199-5ec9aa23-80dc
  27. https://web.archive.org/web/20221020051859/https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/
  28. https://www.soompi.com/article/844025wpp/red-velvet-cameos-in-descendants-of-the-sun-finale
  29. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2016/04/viewers-criticize-red-velvets-appearance-on-descendants-of-the-sun
  30. https://web.archive.org/web/20201225125747/http://tvdaily.asiae.co.kr/read.php3?aid=1430865028898899019
  31. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003405550
  32. https://www.soompi.com/article/992619wpp/mamamoos-moonbyul-red-velvets-seulgi-share-first-acting-experiences
  33. https://www.soompi.com/article/1196449wpp/winners-lee-seung-hoon-red-velvets-seulgi-help-law-jungle-maintain-no-1-ratings-despite-change-time-slot
  34. https://www.soompi.com/article/1182603wpp/sunmi-red-velvets-seulgi-share-stories-audition-trainee-days
  35. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003335162
  36. https://www.soompi.com/article/1411776wpp/red-velvets-seulgi-and-irene-talk-about-their-close-relationship-and-new-reality-show
  37. https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004842041
  38. https://www.soompi.com/article/794439wpp/live-recap-the-2015-mnet-asian-music-awards
  39. https://www.soompi.com/article/1087425wpp/winners-2017-mnet-asian-music-awards-mama-hong-kong
  40. https://www.soompi.com/article/812047wpp/winners-of-the-30th-golden-disc-awards-day-one
  41. https://www.soompi.com/article/1447833wpp/winners-of-the-35th-golden-disc-awards-day-1
  42. https://www.lifestyleasia.com/hk/entertainment/celebrities/red-velvet-members-irene-seulgi-joy-luxury-brand-endorsement-deals/
  43. https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/style/red-velvet-seulgi-salvatore-ferragamo-global-ambassador/
  44. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/12/red-velvets-seulgi-chosen-as-the-new-brand-ambassador-for-cosmetics-brand-loccitane
  45. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2018/08/red-velvets-seulgi-stars-in-a-carefree-solo-cf-for-converse-korea
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