Wendy (born Shon Seung-wan, Korean: 손승완; February 21, 1994) is a South Korean singer. She is best known as a member of the South Korean girl group Red Velvet, where she serves as the main vocalist. She is also a member of the supergroup Got the Beat.
Early Life and Education
Wendy was born on February 21, 1994, in Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk District, Seoul, South Korea. She showed an interest in becoming a singer from a young age and can play several instruments, including piano, guitar, flute, and saxophone. She moved to Canada during elementary school and later attended Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota, United States, before returning to Canada to study at Richmond Hill High School in Ontario. She became fluent in English during her time abroad.
Career
Pre-debut (2010–2014)
In 2010, Wendy submitted an online audition for Cube Entertainment's global auditions. She was later cast by SM Entertainment after attending an SM Global Audition in Canada in 2012. She was introduced as a member of SM Entertainment's pre-debut group SM Rookies in March 2014.
Debut with Red Velvet and early career (2014–2019)
Wendy made her official debut as a member of Red Velvet on August 1, 2014. Throughout her career with the group, she has contributed to numerous soundtracks and collaborations, including duets with Eric Nam ("Spring Love," 2016) and John Legend ("Written in the Stars," 2018). She has also appeared as a panelist or contestant on various television programs, including We Got Married, King of Mask Singer, and Trick & True.
Stage accident and hiatus (2019–2020)
On December 25, 2019, Wendy was involved in a serious stage accident during a rehearsal for the 2019 SBS Gayo Daejeon. She fell approximately 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) due to alleged safety failures in the stage design. Her injuries included a pelvic fracture, a broken wrist, and several facial injuries. She was hospitalized for two months and underwent outpatient treatment afterward.
Solo debut and subsequent activities (2020–present)
Wendy made her solo debut with the extended play Like Water on April 5, 2021. She released her second EP, Wish You Hell, in March 2024, and a third EP, Cerulean Verge, in September 2025. She joined the supergroup Got the Beat in January 2022. She has also hosted the radio program Wendy's Youngstreet and made her theatrical debut in the musical Rebecca in 2023.
In April 2025, SM Entertainment announced the end of Wendy's exclusive contract with the company, though she remains a member of Red Velvet for group activities. She subsequently signed an exclusive contract with the agency Asnd.
Discography (Solo EPs)
- Like Water (2021)
- Wish You Hell (2024)
- Cerulean Verge (2025)
Other Activities
Beyond music, Wendy has worked in endorsements (including Pond's and L'Occitane Korea), has voiced characters in the Korean dub of the Trolls animated films, and has engaged in philanthropy, including significant donations to COVID-19 relief and wildfire recovery efforts in South Korea.
Wendy has received multiple awards, including an Asian Pop Music Award for Best Female Artist (Overseas) in 2024 for Wish You Hell, and multiple radio DJ awards for her hosting of Wendy's Youngstreet.
