On August 9, Red Velvet’s Yeri appeared as a guest on Lee Hyeri’s YouTube talk show, Hyeri’s Club, where she reflected on memories from her time as a trainee. During their conversation, she revealed that SM Entertainment sent her and other trainees to spinal clinics to promote height growth. She also mentioned that the agency strictly monitored their diets throughout training.
Yeri shared her experience, saying,
“To help us get taller, they’d send us to places like spine clinics. One time, I ordered pizza with the other trainees there. I still don’t know how we got caught, but we did. I was always getting in trouble over food.”
This candid disclosure surprised many fans, sparking debates about the pressures faced by trainees in the K-pop industry.
Fan Reactions and Concerns Over Agency Practices
Yeri’s comments ignited controversy among fans and viewers, who criticized SM Entertainment’s stringent requirements for trainee appearance. Many expressed worry over the agency’s approach to height and diet control, calling such measures excessive and harmful. Responses varied, but one common sentiment was voiced loudly:
“This should be illegal”
Several netizens echoed fears about the intense standards often imposed by K-pop agencies on their artists during training.
Yeri’s Career Journey Beyond Trainee Struggles
Kim Ye-ri, known as Yeri, is a South Korean singer and actress who debuted as a member of Red Velvet in 2015 under SM Entertainment. Starting her career in the girl group, she quickly expanded her portfolio by co-hosting MBS’s Show! Music Core alongside SHINee’s Minho and VIXX’s N during 2015.
Yeri ventured into acting in July 2016, appearing in the music video for “Way Back Home” by J-Min and Shim Eun-jee. As part of her solo efforts, she released her self-composed single, “Dear Diary,” and launched her own YouTube variety show titled Yeri’s Room in 2020, produced by Dum DUm Studio.
Continuing her acting pursuits, she took leading roles in TV dramas such as the one-episode TVN series Mint Condition and the web series Blue Birthday. Most recently, she starred as the female lead in Wavve’s web drama B*tch X Rich in March 2023.
Transition After Contract Expiration and Current Projects
In April 2025, Yeri’s contract with SM Entertainment expired, and she decided not to renew it, although she remains part of Red Velvet’s group activities under the agency. Shortly afterward, in May, she signed with Blitzway Entertainment to focus on her acting career.
Meanwhile, Red Velvet celebrated their 10th debut anniversary by releasing an updated version of their 2024 EP Cosmic on August 1, which included a new track titled “Sweet Dreams,” dedicated to their fans. This ongoing activity highlights Yeri’s continued involvement with the group despite her solo career shift.
Implications of Yeri’s Disclosure on Industry Standards
The revelation about trainees being sent to spinal clinics to increase height sheds light on the extreme measures some K-pop agencies take to conform to beauty ideals. Yeri’s openness invites broader discussions about the physical and mental challenges idols face behind the scenes. Fans’ reactions underscore growing concerns about the ethics of such practices and call for more humane treatment of trainees.
As Yeri advances in her solo and group endeavors, her experiences may influence future conversations around health standards and trainee welfare in the competitive K-pop industry, encouraging greater scrutiny of agency policies moving forward.
