(Last updated December 2018)
Red Velvet was the very first K-pop girl group that I became a fan of! It’s hard to believe now, but there once was a time when I naively thought that I’d only ever follow GOT7 – the first K-pop group I discovered – and would be able to resist getting into any other groups (LOL). Not because of the “one fandom” mentality; because I could already tell stanning one group woudl be time consuming. But one day, I saw BamBam and Yugyeom do a cover dance to “Ice Cream Cake” on Weekly Idol. I really liked the song, so I checked Red Velvet out… and I’ve been into them ever since!
Red Velvet is now officially my favorite girl group because all of their latest releases are EXCELLENT (and many of their early songs are too). I love everything about Red Velvet: their music, their choreography, and their concepts. I think they’re so unique, and they have a very universal appeal. I’m always so excited to see what they’ll come up with for every comeback.
First member I recognized: Seulgi.
First bias: Irene.
Current bias: Still Irene! Though one of the main aims of K-pop is to make you feel like you’re close with these idols, there are very few whom I wish I was actually friends with in real life. Irene is at the top of the list. I relate to her a lot because we’re around the same age. I know it’s trendy for K-pop idols to be funny and extra right now, and I definitely enjoy people like that. However, I think it’s much rarer – and therefore more interesting – to see someone who is more calm and composed like Irene (probably because she’s older than most idols). Although she does definitely have a silly side! Performance-wise, I really enjoy her soft but sweet voice. She’s not the best dancer, but I think she’s the perfect center. Also, visuals… visuals for days.
Favorite song: I have been obsessed with “Bad Boy” since February and I am still obsessed with it.
Favorite MV: “Russian Roulette.” It’s technically “Peek-a-Boo,” but I’m trying to be diverse. I love the dark humor scenes juxtaposed against such a cutesy song, and I think it’s so clever.
Favorite era: “Peek-a-Boo.” Up until this era, I was constantly changing my favorite girl group. It was Sistar until they disbanded, and then Girls’ Generation until their status became uncertain (musically). Some days I would say my favorite girl group was Red Velvet, but sometimes I would say TWICE or BLACKPINK. “Peek-a-Boo” changed all that. Everything about it is perfection, especially the amazing music video. It was so good I messaged my friend: “That’s it, Red Velvet is my favorite girl group. I don’t even know why I thought it was anyone else before.”
Favorite choreography: “RBB.” I would dare to say that many of Red Velvet’s dances are iconic, but my current favorite is “RBB.” It’s one of those songs that makes you want to move whether there’s a dance or not, and the choreography is so much fun.
Who I think is the best looking: Irene. I know some people believe she’s plain-looking compared to the other big K-pop visuals… but I can’t relate because I think her visuals are unreal. She’s just so pretty and you can fight me if you disagree.
Who I think is the cutest: Yeri. Definitely a cute maknae, although she’s also quite pretty. Sometimes I can’t believe she won’t be an teenager soon.
Favorite vocal: Wendy.
Favorite rapper: Irene – though to be fair, there’s not much rapping going on these days.
Favorite dancer: Seulgi.
An unpopular opinion about the group or a member: Originally, I wrote that I didn’t like Red Velvet’s “velvet” side, but that was back when “velvet” basically meant “ballad.” Now, my favorite songs are actually from their “velvet” albums. Soooo… I don’t have anything “unpopular” to say anymore!
Katherine Does K-POP 