Red Velvet’s Irene Torn Apart Over Latest Encore Performance

“The song is apparently just one note, and she can’t even hit that.”

Red Velvet‘s Irene is once again at the center of a heated online debate—this time over her latest encore performance.

Red Velvet’s Irene | @renebaebae/Instagram

Following her recent music show win with her solo track “Biggest Fan,” the Red Velvet member took the stage for the traditional encore performance. However, what should have been a milestone moment quickly turned controversial.

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Clips of Irene’s live vocals began circulating online shortly after the broadcast, sparking a wave of mixed reactions. Some netizens criticized her singing, calling parts of the performance “off-pitch” and questioning the overall delivery.

The discourse quickly escalated, with harsh comments flooding online communities. Some viewers argued that the performance felt “awkward” or “lacking,” and some even pointed to differences between the live version and the studio recording.

she’s so happy to sound a mess?? this what you call nugu privilege. pic.twitter.com/gfPsWRsJz9

— ✦ (@oncist) April 10, 2026

The backlash didn’t go unchallenged, though. Irene’s fans were quick to come to the idol’s defense, pushing back against what they described as excessive criticism. Many pointed out that the song itself relies heavily on layered vocals in its original version, which can make live renditions sound noticeably different without that support. Some also noted that Irene appeared relaxed and playful during the stage, which may have contributed to the perception of uneven delivery.

| theqoo

• I haven’t listened to the song so I can’t say much, but I feel like she was like this even during Red Velvet promotions… It’s honestly surprising her skills haven’t improved much for her years in the industry.
• She’s completely off pitch. The song is apparently just one note, and she can’t even hit that.
• She wasn’t really at a level to go solo in the first place, so it’s honestly more surprising she got No.1 with those skills at her experience level.
• These reactions are super generous, maybe because she’s a female idol? Had this been my bias, they would have been slammed all week and just shredded apart with hundreds of hate comments.
• She did make a mistake midway, but the song itself is like that lol. Still, it’s hard to say she did well considering her experience.
• She looks worse because she seems awkward herself—not that she can sing well anyway.
• It’s because she’s from SM Entertainment that she’s getting defended so fiercely like this.
• She originally had an image of being decent at vocals, but it feels like she lost her pitch here.
• The original song is like that, but her smiling midway and looking awkward kind of makes it feel awkward for the listener too.
• Honestly, it’s not that different from how she sings in Red Velvet songs.
• It’s kind of shocking, TBH.

The debate has since spread across multiple platforms, with opinions sharply divided between those scrutinizing her live skills and those emphasizing the unrealistic expectations often placed on idols during encore performances. Despite the criticism, Irene’s achievement remains significant. The win marked a major milestone in her solo career, further cementing her presence beyond group activities with Red Velvet.

Listen to the full encore here:

Red Velvet