Red Velvet’s Joy Opens Up About Beauty Pressure at 29: ‘People Might Stop Noticing Me’

Red Velvet’s Joy has opened up about the pressure she once felt over her appearance and age, offering a surprisingly honest glimpse into the insecurities that can come with being constantly evaluated as a public figure.

The singer appeared on KBS 2TV’s music talk show The Seasons – Sung Si Kyung’s Ear Candy on September 11, alongside EXO’s D.O., BIG Naughty and Kwon Eunbi. While the episode featured plenty of musical performances, Joy’s candid discussion about beauty standards and growing older quickly became one of the most talked-about moments.

Joy also attracted attention during the appearance for her lean figure and bright visuals, but her own comments shifted the conversation away from her appearance and toward the emotional pressure that can accompany it.

‘I Was Worried That People Might Stop Noticing Me’

During the show, Joy reflected on how she viewed herself as she approached her 30s. Rather than presenting aging as something she had completely embraced from the beginning, she admitted that she had genuine concerns about whether people would continue paying attention to her.

“At twenty-nine, I was worried that if I wasn’t young or pretty anymore, people might stop noticing me,” Joy said.

Her confession struck a chord because of the intense emphasis often placed on appearance in the entertainment industry. For an idol who has spent much of her career under the public spotlight, Joy acknowledged that the idea of becoming older could feel intimidating.

However, she also revealed that turning 30 ultimately gave her a surprisingly different perspective.

“After turning thirty, I feel like I’m one year old again,” she added.

Joy humorously described herself as “a thirty-year-old baby,” turning what could have been a serious conversation about aging into a playful reflection on entering a new stage of life.

Joy Reflects on Red Velvet’s Future

The conversation also touched on Red Velvet’s future as a group. Joy recalled the uncertainty surrounding the members’ contract renewals two years earlier, admitting that she had been worried the group might not continue together.

“Two years ago was the time to renew our contracts, and I was very anxious, fearing the team might end,” she recalled.

Those fears eventually eased after Joy saw how strongly the other members remained committed to Red Velvet.

“I confirmed the members’ strong commitment and wanted to share that with our fans,” she continued.

The comments offered insight into the emotional significance behind her upcoming return with Red Velvet as a full group. For Joy, the group’s continued existence is not simply a professional decision but something she clearly values on a personal level.

She also revealed that she wrote the title track herself, giving the song an additional layer of meaning as she prepares to reconnect with fans through the group.

A Special Connection to Lena Park

Music remained at the center of Joy’s appearance, with the singer showing another side of herself during the program.

Known for enjoying fan letters, Joy spontaneously performed Lena Park’s “I Will Write You a Letter”, highlighting her admiration for the veteran singer.

The song carries an especially personal connection for Joy. She revealed that her first successful audition came after she sang Lena Park’s “I Hope It Would Be That Way Now”.

That revelation added another emotional layer to the performance, connecting Joy’s early dreams of becoming a singer with the career she has built since then.

Her spontaneous rendition also gave viewers an opportunity to hear her outside the usual framework of Red Velvet performances or her own solo releases.

Park Soo Young is Ready for New Chapter

Joy is also preparing to expand her career beyond music. The singer revealed that she plans to take on new acting projects as Park Soo Young, her real name, including upcoming dramas and animation dubbing work.

The move comes as Joy continues to develop an identity that extends beyond her role as a member of Red Velvet. Over the years, she has already explored acting alongside her music career, and her latest comments suggest that she intends to continue pursuing opportunities in both fields.

Her appearance on The Seasons ultimately brought together several sides of Joy: the Red Velvet member preparing for a group comeback, the solo singer reflecting on music that shaped her, and the actress preparing for another phase of her career.

Warm Ending With Sung Si Kyung

The episode ended on a lighter and more intimate note when Joy joined host Sung Si Kyung for a performance of “Cocktail Love”.

Their duet provided a warm conclusion to an appearance that moved between personal reflections, memories and music.

While Joy initially attracted attention for her appearance, it was her honesty that ultimately became the more meaningful part of the conversation. Her comments about beauty and aging revealed the uncertainty she once carried, while her playful “thirty-year-old baby” remark showed that she is now approaching the next chapter with a lighter attitude.

For Joy, turning 30 does not appear to mean stepping away from the spotlight. Instead, it may be the beginning of a period where she feels freer to explore who she wants to be both as an artist and as a person.