(Red Velvet) Joy Biography: Background, Education, Net Worth 2025, and Career

Profile:

Stage Name: Joy (조이)

Birth Name: Park Soo-young (박수영)

English Name: Joy Park

Birthday: September 3, 1996

Nationality: South Korean

During her training, Joy's vocal coach came up with her stage name, which reflected her upbeat and positive personality. She is well-known for her captivating stage appearance, strong voice, and capacity to engage her followers, or ReVeluvs, with her friendly and personable manner.

Background:

Joy grew up in Dobong, Seoul, after being born on September 3, 1996, on Jeju Island, South Korea. She was raised in a loving familial setting that fostered her love of music as the oldest of three sisters. Joy developed an early interest in modern trot music, which combines modern genres with traditional Korean sounds. She was praised for her rendition of the Korean rock band Cherry Filter's "Flying Duck" at a grade school festival, which ignited her passion for performance. Her decision to pursue a profession in entertainment was influenced by this encounter.

Joy's early years were characterized by her unwavering commitment to pursuing her goals. Her path to fame began in 2012 when she tried out for SM Entertainment at the SM Global Audition in Seoul and was accepted. Joy's July 2014 debut as Red Velvet's fourth member was a significant milestone because, unlike her colleagues, she was not a member of SM Rookies, the pre-debut training squad.

Education:

Joy matched her education with her developing interest in the performing arts while attending Yongin Seongji High School. Later, she attended Kyunghee Cyber University, where she earned a degree in the Department of Applied Music. She had a solid career foundation thanks to her music education, which also improved her performance and voice abilities. Although there aren't many specifics about her academic background, her professional development was greatly aided by her training at SM Entertainment, which includes voice, dance, and performance coaching.

Career:

Joy's career, which includes presenting, acting, singing, and sponsorships, is evidence of her adaptability. An outline of her major accomplishments is shown below:

Red Velvet:

Along with Irene, Seulgi, and Wendy, Joy made her Red Velvet debut on August 1, 2014, with the single "Happiness." Yeri joined the band in 2015. The group, which was founded by SM Entertainment, is well-known for its dual ideals of "velvet" (mature, R&B-infused) and "red" (vibrant, pop-driven). Red Velvet's discography consists of thirteen extended plays, three studio albums, one reissue album, and hit songs like "Psycho," "Power Up," and "Red Flavor," many of which peaked at the top of South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart. Japanese EPs like *#Cookie Jar* and tours like the Redmare Tour, which attracted crowds in the US and Canada, are examples of their global success.

Joy, the lead rapper and backup vocalist for Red Velvet, adds to the band's vibrant sound and enthralling live performances. To allay prior rumors that she would leaving, she and Seulgi and Irene renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment in January 2025. Her devotion to Red Velvet's legacy is demonstrated by her commitment to the group.

Solo Music Career:

The title tune from Joy's special album *Hello*, which was released on May 31, 2021, marked her solo debut. All of the album's tracks appeared on the Gaon Digital Chart, and it was a commercial triumph, topping the iTunes Top Album Charts in 26 countries. Joy solidified her position as a solo artist by achieving the top spot on the MelOn Female Solo Artist Chart. Her solo work further broadens her artistic horizons by showcasing her vocal range and emotional expression.

Acting:

Joy made her acting debut in the tvN drama *The Liar and His Lover* in 2017, winning the OSEN Cable TV Awards' Newcomer Award. She proceeded to expand her acting career with parts in *The One and Only* (2021), *Once Upon a Small Town* (2022), and *Tempted* (2018), for which she received nominations for both the Popularity Award at the Seoul Awards and Best Actress at the MBC Drama Awards. She has gained recognition as a recognized actor in South Korea as a result of her performances, which have been lauded for their emotional depth and honesty.

Hosting and Variety Shows:

Joy's participation in the fourth season of MBC's *We Got Married* in 2015, when she was paired with Yook Sung-jae of BTOB, helped her become well-known as a television host. At the 2015 MBC Entertainment Awards, they won the Best Couple and New Star Awards for their chemistry. She has also made appearances on a number of variety shows, where she has won over fans outside of the music industry with her charm and wit.

Endorsements:

Joy is a sought-after brand ambassador due to her popularity. As noted in posts on X in June 2025, she has collaborated with Yook Sung-jae and Marie Claire Korea to endorse products such as Lotte's Fitz alcoholic drink (2018). Her role as a style icon has been cemented by her impact in fashion and beauty, which was demonstrated in February 2020 when she attended New York Fashion Week as a VIP guest of Michael Kors. Joy's significant social media presence was demonstrated by the fact that her Instagram account, _imyour_joy, has the most followers among K-pop female musicians that joined the platform in 2019.

2025 Net Worth:

Joy is the richest member of Red Velvet, with an estimated net worth of $5 million USD as of 2025. Among her sources of income are:

Red Velvet Activities: Group endorsements, sold-out shows, and album sales.
Solo Music: Revenue from her *Hello* solo album and associated endeavors.
Acting: Parts in well-known dramas.
Endorsements: Rich agreements with companies such as Marie Claire Korea and Lotte.
Hosting and Variety Shows: Participation in programs such as *We Got Married.

Joy claimed to own a 50-bedroom villa in Canada during a livestream, but some fans were skeptical of the story. In any case, her opulent lifestyle—which includes staying at upscale hotels and being associated with luxury labels—is a clear indication of her financial success.

Controversies and Public Perception:

Though she was criticized in 2022 for her alleged lack of professionalism during paid fan calls, Joy has typically kept a nice public image. Her career was not greatly impacted by the conflicting responses from online users because her popularity kept rising. She is renowned for having strong ties with other K-pop stars, including as Hayoung of Apink and Yerin of GFRIEND, with whom she attended the School of Performing Arts. Joy is well-liked in the K-pop business because of her gregarious nature and commitment to her work.