Red Velvet’s Joy has made a major decision to continue her journey with SM Entertainment by renewing her contract with the company.

On January 14, Joy shared her excitement about the renewal, stating, "Based on the trust and faith we've built over the past 10 years, I had deep conversations with those I've been working with and felt that I want to move forward together in a good direction. Through positive synergy with SM, I will do my best to show my various sides to the fans."

SM Entertainment also expressed their happiness about the renewal, saying, "Following Seulgi and Irene, we are happy to continue this beautiful journey with Joy. We will work hard to allow her to fully demonstrate her limitless potential, not only as a member of Red Velvet but also as a solo artist and actress 'Park Soo-young.'"

Since Red Velvet’s debut in 2014 with their hit song “Happiness,” the group has gone on to release multiple chart-topping songs such as “Ice Cream Cake,” “Red Flavor,” “Feel My Rhythm,” and “Cosmic,” showcasing their unique concepts and diverse musical styles. The group also celebrated their 10th anniversary last September with a successful Asia fan concert tour, solidifying their strong global influence.

As a solo artist, Joy has also made a mark. She released her special album Hello in 2021, which was loved by fans of all ages. Known for her clear vocals and iconic charm, Joy has also ventured into hosting TV shows, acting, recording OSTs, and showing off her fashion style.

Fans are now looking forward to even more from Joy as she continues her journey with SM Entertainment.

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The upcoming SBS drama Love Scout, starring Han Ji Min and Lee Jun Hyuk, is already making headlines—but for all the wrong reasons.

Recent revelations about the show’s co-director, Ham Joon Ho, have sparked controversy. It was revealed that Ham Joon Ho had faced legal issues in 2020 for assault and defamation while intoxicated.

This incident led to disciplinary action within SBS and has raised questions about his involvement in the new project.

On January 13, the production team of Love Scout released an official apology, saying, "We deeply regret causing concern with unpleasant news related to PD Ham Joon Ho."

They confirmed the allegations, stating, "It is true that PD Ham Joon Ho was accused of assault and defamation while intoxicated in early 2020. However, he sincerely apologized to all victims, and the matter was resolved through forgiveness and mutual agreement."

They added, "He also received legal punishment for the incident. Additionally, reports about his prior criminal record from five years ago are unrelated to this case, as they involve a misdemeanor."

The team explained that Ham Joon Ho was suspended from his duties following the incident and spent three years reflecting on his actions before returning to directing. They added, "We kindly ask for viewers’ understanding."

The controversy began after online posts brought up the 2020 incident, sharing a news article from that time. The article described an SBS drama department employee, referred to as “A,” causing a disturbance in Hannam-dong, Seoul, while intoxicated. Police booked “A,” and due to their prior criminal record, an arrest warrant was requested but later denied.

It was later confirmed that “A” was PD Ham Joon Ho. After serving his suspension, he made his directorial comeback with the SBS drama Payback before taking on Love Scout.

Despite the production team's apology, the controversy has cast a shadow over the highly anticipated drama, leaving viewers wondering how it will impact the show’s reception.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds!

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