Red Velvet’s Joy is officially staying with SM Entertainment! On January 14, SM Entertainment made the exciting announcement, saying, "Based on the long-standing trust we've built with Joy, we have completed her contract renewal." They added, "With full support, she will continue her diverse activities with us."

The agency expressed their joy, stating, "We are happy to continue our beautiful journey with Joy, following Seulgi and Irene. We will do our best to help her showcase her infinite talents, not only in Red Velvet’s group activities but also as a solo artist and actress Park Soo Young."

Joy herself also shared her excitement, saying, "Based on the trust and belief we’ve shared for 10 years, I had deep conversations with the people I’ve worked with, and I felt that I want to continue moving forward together in a good direction. I will do my best to show my fans various sides of myself through positive synergy with SM."

Red Velvet, who debuted in 2014, has now surpassed the famous "seven-year curse" and celebrated their 10th anniversary last year. This milestone sparked both excitement and concern about the group’s future.

Earlier, Seulgi kicked off the contract renewal process by announcing her renewal in August 2023, followed by Irene’s renewal in February 2024. Fans were eagerly waiting to see what the remaining members, including Joy, would decide.

Now, Joy is the third member to choose to stay with the agency, leaving only Wendy and Yeri’s decisions still up in the air.

Recently, Wendy made headlines after announcing her absence from the '2025 SM Town Live,' expressing some dissatisfaction with the agency. Fans are now wondering what Wendy and Yeri’s next steps will be.

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Lee Se Young is turning heads in her latest role, ditching her regal queen image and stepping into the shoes of a fiery, mixed-race Disney princess in Spicy First Love – and fans can’t get enough!

After her impressive role in MBC's Motel California, Lee Se Young is making waves once again. Known for her powerful portrayal of queens in historical dramas, she’s now taking on a completely new character in Spicy First Love, showing off a side that’s totally different from anything fans have seen before.

Motel California (based on Sim Yoon Seo’s 2019 novel Home, Bitter Home) tells the emotional story of Ji Kang Hee (played by Lee Se Young), a young woman who grows up in a motel in the countryside and reconnects with her first love after 12 years. With its gripping plot and emotional twists, the show quickly captured the hearts of viewers, ranking second in Good Data Corporation’s January 2nd-week TV-OTT popularity survey.

Lee Se Young’s portrayal of Ji Kang Hee has been praised for her stunning visuals and deep acting. In this role, she embraces a mixed-race character, wearing brown eyes and dark hair, which gives her a fresh and exotic look that’s nothing like her historical roles. Fans are loving her transformation, calling her a "Disney princess" and comparing her to Daphne from Bridgerton. Some even said, "The queen is gone, and a Disney princess has arrived."

Her performance has also been a standout, with her perfect blend of sweetness and strength. Lee Se Young nails the balance between the tough "motel daughter" who stands up to her boss and classmates and the innocent, passionate character caught up in a first love story. The cathartic moments she brings to the screen have left fans wanting more.

Spicy First Love is airing every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM on MBC, and with Lee Se Young's incredible performance, it’s no wonder the drama is already gaining huge popularity! Fans can’t wait to see what more surprises this show will bring.

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