After knowing that she would be an additional member of Red Velvet, Yeri confessed what she really felt about it at that time.
On July 1, Red Velvet Seulgi, Joy, and Yeri appeared on Ep. 48 of Shin Dong Yup's talk show uploaded on its official YouTube, "Jjanhyung."
On this day, the members commemorated their 10th debut anniversary by recalling their trainee days and journeys as idols for the last decade.
Yeri also revealed the story of how she ended up joining the group a year after its debut.
In particular, Red Velvet originally debuted as a four-member girl group in 2014 comprising Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Joy as the youngest. When they debuted with "Happiness," it became a huge hit in South Korea, establishing their position in the K-pop scene.
Just then, Yeri would later join the group as its 5th member in 2015. At the time, she drew divided opinions as to why she needed to be added to an already rising group, earning criticism.
During the broadcast then, the members shared anecdotes about what really happened that she ended up joining Red Velvet.
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Joy started:
"Yeri was supposed to debut as the center of the next girl group with her friends in a younger group. She lived as a separate trainee. The culture here was different from that of the older girls."
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, viewers assumed that the supposed debut of SM's next girl group after Red Velvet eventually fell through. Instead of letting Yeri wait for more years until her debut, the idol who was already ready to become an idol was then added to the group instead.
Regarding this Yeri conveyed what she really felt at that time, narrating:
"When I first heard that I was joining Red Velvet, I felt more sense of loyalty to my friends (trainees). I am not sure what I believed in, but when I was in middle school, I said, 'I'm not going to debut and just do acting.'
It's not that I hate my older Red Velvet sisters, but I dropped out of school so I don't remember my friends from school, and those friends (trainees) were like my school friends in my perspective."
Debuting at the age of 15, Yeri has a big age gap with their leader and eldest member, Irene, who was already 23 years old when she debuted.
At first, Yeri felt the gap, but after 10 years, their relationship is now better than ever.
"I am 8 years younger than Irene unnie. When I saw her when I was younger, I felt that there was a big difference, but these days, we are like best friends."
During the broadcast, Joy also attested how Yeri's addition to them changed them for the better. Back then, the four were so shy that they used formal language during their trainee days until they debuted.
But when Yeri suggested they use informal language instead, the atmosphere of the team became better and more refreshing.
READ MORE: K-Netz Praise Red Velvet Yeri's Visuals After THIS Change: 'She Doesn't Seem to Age...'
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
