Red Velvet member Joy recently shared candid thoughts on her appearance and the pressures of the entertainment industry, particularly concerning her physique. Appearing on the KBS 2TV music talk show ‘The Seasons – Sung Si-kyung’s Recommendation’ on November 11th, Joy joined fellow guests D.O. (Do Kyung-soo), BIG Naughty, and Kwon Eun-bi for an evening of diverse performances and heartfelt discussions.
Joy Reflects on Past Insecurities and Group Comebacks
During the broadcast, Joy touched upon the anxieties she experienced as she approached her late twenties. “I was worried that if I wasn’t pretty anymore, people wouldn’t seek me out,” she confessed, revealing a vulnerability about the industry’s focus on youthful appearance. She recalled the period around her contract renewal two years prior, admitting, “At that time, I was very anxious that the team might disband.” However, she found strength in the members’ resolve, stating, “I confirmed the members’ firm determination, and I wanted to convey that same feeling to our fans.” This sentiment was directly woven into the lyrics of her solo title track, “Hello,” which she performed on the show, showcasing her bright and refreshing energy.
Joy also spoke about her personal growth, humorously describing herself as a “thirty-year-old baby” despite turning thirty. She finds comfort and connection in reading letters from fans, and her musical journey has been influenced by artists she admires. She performed an impromptu rendition of Park Jung-hyun’s “I’ll Write You a Letter,” a song she deeply respects. Joy revealed that her first successful audition was also with a Park Jung-hyun song, “Now, I Hope It’s Like That,” highlighting a special connection to the veteran singer.
Looking ahead, Joy is expanding her career beyond music. In addition to her group activities with Red Velvet, she is venturing into acting and has taken on her first animation dubbing role. The episode concluded with Joy and host Sung Si-kyung performing a sweet duet of “Cocktail Love,” harmonizing for a delightful finish.
Musical Performances and Guest Spotlights
The episode featured a dynamic lineup of artists. D.O. kicked off the musical performances with “Popcorn,” his hit track released two years ago, captivating the audience with his rich vocals. He later delivered a moving rendition of Sung Si-kyung’s “Every Moment of You,” earning praise from the host. Sung Si-kyung even promised to perform D.O.’s “Popcorn” on an opening stage someday.
D.O. also explored his musical versatility by performing an impromptu jazz piece, “Fly Me To The Moon,” showcasing his potential for new musical interpretations. Discussing his latest mini-album, “DOPAMINE,” he described its concept as “dark sexy.” This was met with playful skepticism from Sung Si-kyung, who, upon seeing his concept photos, remarked, “Aren’t you too ‘bright cute’?” D.O. closed his segment with a performance of “Guitarist,” the title track from his new album, revealing a different side of his charm.
BIG Naughty delivered a powerful performance of “Vancouver 2,” commanding the stage with his presence. He reflected on his decision to pursue music while still in high school, recalling a pivotal moment when he received a “Show Me The Money” acceptance text the day after making a deal with his parents to study for three more years before pursuing his dreams. “I still remember my mother’s face when she saw the text; she had been so disappointed,” he shared. BIG Naughty has been prolific, writing approximately 30 songs in the past year while preparing for his mandatory military service, bringing his total written pieces to 256, including lyrics and compositions. His pre-enlistment single, “Nostalgia,” was a special dedication to his mother, whom he feels he has honored by achieving her dreams. His mother attended the recording, playfully noting her preference for BIGBANG but admitting BIG Naughty’s style suited her better, showcasing a warm mother-son dynamic. She expressed her genuine gratitude for him finding his own path, even over her initial hopes for his academic pursuits.
BIG Naughty performed BIGBANG’s “Bad Boy” for his mother and concluded his segment with “Nostalgia,” walking over to her in the audience to sing together, creating a deeply emotional moment.
Kwon Eun-bi, known as the “Summer Queen,” reignited the stage’s energy with her representative song “Underwater.” When the topic of self-management arose, Sung Si-kyung shared his unique dieting method involving eating raw fish, consuming the fatty belly with vinegar and the rest with salt. Kwon Eun-bi chimed in, revealing she also eats raw fish late at night, leading to an unexpected “raw fish solidarity” moment that amused the audience.
She reminisced about her time in IZ*ONE by performing their debut song “La Vie en Rose” as a solo. “I missed my friends,” she said, reflecting on the synergy they shared. To present a new image, Kwon Eun-bi was determined to find a new title track. Upon hearing the new song “DEJAVU,” she immediately felt it was the right choice and requested it be her title track from the company. She concluded her performance with “DEJAVU,” demonstrating her expanded musical spectrum as a solo artist.
Show Information
‘The Seasons – Sung Si-kyung’s Recommendation’ airs every Friday at 10:20 PM KST on KBS 2TV.
