Red Velvet’s Wendy Signs with New Agency After Leaving SM Entertainment [Official]

Wendy, a member of the group Red Velvet, has officially signed with a new agency, Ascend (ASND).

Ascend recently released an official statement announcing:

"Red Velvet’s Wendy has signed an exclusive contract with Ascend. We are delighted to work with an artist who has proven exceptional talent across many fields."

They added:

"We will actively support Wendy’s activities with Red Velvet as well. We promise to do our utmost to help Wendy shine even brighter at Ascend."

Wendy debuted in 2014 as a member of Red Velvet, alongside Irene, Joy, Seulgi and Yeri. The group gained widespread love with hits like Ice Cream Cake, Red Flavor, and Psycho.

She launched her solo career with her first mini-album Like Water in 2021, and released her second mini-album Wish You Hell in March 2024.

Wendy has also drawn attention for her contributions to several drama OSTs, including Goodbye, Because I Love You, and My Days Are Full of You.

Beyond music, Wendy showcased her versatility by serving as a judge on shows like Mnet’s Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survival and KBS2’s The DdanDdaRa.

She also demonstrated her strong hosting skills while DJing for SBS PowerFM’s Wendy’s Young Street for several years.

Earlier this year, Wendy notably did not attend SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary concert — the only Red Velvet member absent.

At the time, she stirred attention by expressing dissatisfaction, stating:

"Maybe you’ve seen the announcement, maybe you haven’t yet, but the conversation with the company happened over a month ago — and the official notice only went up today."

On April 4, Wendy officially announced the end of her exclusive contract with SM Entertainment.

Now, at her new agency Ascend, Wendy joins a roster that includes several members of fromis_9 — Park Ji-won, Baek Ji-heon, Lee Chae-young, Lee Na-gyung, and Song Ha-young.

Before her move to Ascend, Wendy released her second solo mini-album under SM Entertainment, featuring the title track Wish You Hell. The Wish You Hell music video, which dropped in March 2024, showcases Wendy’s vibrant vocals against a playful, cinematic backdrop that explores themes of self-love, freedom, and emotional healing.

In the MV, Wendy breaks free from expectations, visually symbolizing her journey toward individuality and empowerment. The song quickly resonated with fans, highlighting her unique artistry as both a Red Velvet member and a solo singer.

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