Red Velvet’s Irene appeared drunk on Lee Young-ji’s YouTube show, delighting fans but also sparking warnings about durian and alcohol.
August/16/2026 12:03Related Groups & Members
After Red Velvet’s Irene appeared on singer Lee Young-ji’s YouTube channel and showed herself drunk, some overseas fans raised concerns about the combination of foods she ate. On Lee Young-ji’s recently released YouTube channel “Something Even More Boring Than This,” Irene appeared as a guest. That day, Irene was talking with Lee Young-ji while drinking alcohol, but as the alcohol started to take effect, she said, “I don’t want to go beyond the longest filming time,” and then said, “What were we talking about?” In particular, the drunk Irene became even more charming, and there was also a scene where she showed a wistful gaze, saying, “I haven’t been able to talk about life. Wait a minute, is this the end?” Fans who saw this showed surprised reactions, but also expressed delight, saying things like, “Her drunk appearance is too cute,” and “I’ve never seen her like this before,” and there was a strong response to this rarely seen side of her. However, some overseas fans sent messages of concern such as, “I was shocked after watching the video. You must absolutely not take durian and alcohol together. It could even be life-threatening,” and “Because durian contains substances that interfere with the breakdown of alcohol, this food combination is extremely dangerous.” Another internet user also expressed concern, saying, “In Thailand, it is widely known that you should not eat durian and alcohol together. Since she is a Korean who is not used to durian, maybe she did not know about this danger.” When such talk reached Korean fans as well, reactions such as, “I learned for the first time that this food combination is dangerous. Everyone needs to be careful,” and “If she had eaten it without knowing, it could have become a serious matter,” were seen. In fact, concerns about the simultaneous intake of durian and alcohol have also been pointed out in related studies to some extent. There is a study that confirmed that sulfur compounds contained in durian may inhibit the function of alcohol-degrading enzymes. Because of this, harmful substances may accumulate in the body and could cause severe palpitations and headaches, and in the worst case, heart failure or severe dehydration. However, there is not sufficient basis to conclude that simply consuming durian and alcohol together will immediately lead to serious symptoms or death. The actual danger varies depending on various factors such as the amount consumed, the individual’s health condition, and the amount of alcohol drunk. Locally in Thailand, consuming durian and alcohol at the same time is widely known as a “dangerous combination that can be life-threatening.” • Red Velvet Irene reveals an unexpected connection with Kim Jae-won: “My friend’s cousin” (video included) • Red Velvet releases MV for title track “Surfin’ Boy”… dreamlike harmony
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Red Velvet’s Yeri shared behind-the-scenes details of the 2016 taxi accident with Seulgi. She said the crash was far more serious than the “minor injury” reports, leaving her hospitalized, with blood from her mouth, eye damage, lingering floaters, and a long recovery.
Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi kicked off their first Japan-only tour, IRENE & SEULGI JAPAN TOUR 2026 -blank-, in Fukuoka. They performed the full stage of their first Japanese mini album Cheetah, due out November 4, along with Korean hits and solo stages, and will tour seven Japanese cities.
On the afternoon of the 17th, Red Velvet’s Wendy left for Japan through Gimpo International Airport for her schedule. Related reports noted that her agency warned against privacy violations, including excessive approaching and unauthorized entry, and fans expressed concern after recent photos showed her looking thinner.
ASND, the agency for Red Velvet’s Wendy and fromis_9, issued a statement urging people to respect the artists’ safety and privacy. It warned against approaching them too closely, obstructing vehicles, trespassing, stalking the company, or illegally obtaining and trading personal information, and said legal action may follow.
A Dior event was held on the afternoon of the 7th at AVENUEL in Lotte Department Store, Jamsil, Seoul. Attendees included Red Velvet's Joy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Shin Ye-eun, Kim Jae-won, Kim Yuna, Bae Yoon-young, and Irene.
On the morning of the 3rd, an opening event for the brand Yves Saint Laurent Beauté’s Seongsu store was held in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. EXO’s Kai, Red Velvet’s Irene, Ahn Bo-hyun, and i-dle’s Miyeon attended.
Red Velvet’s Seulgi talked about an awkward experience during her solo trip to Japan. She had hoped to chat with a bartender in Japanese, but when Korean customers arrived, the bartender seated them beside her. They then asked for a photo, which turned out to be a request for their own group picture, not with Seulgi. She politely declined at first, then offered to take the photo for them. Irene joked that they had not realized Seulgi was there, and the people involved later commented online, making the story a topic of discussion.
DAZED’s August 2026 issue released a photoshoot and interview with Red Velvet’s Yeri. Shot in Phuket, the spread follows the theme “ON MY OWN TERMS,” showing her natural charm, varied styling, and vivid makeup. In the interview, she speaks about calmness, strength, and her values.
ASND, Wendy of Red Velvet’s agency, announced that it will take strong legal action against malicious posts and sexual harassment. The agency said harmful comments, false information, defamation, and sexualized remarks about the artist’s body or appearance are clear violations, and it will keep collecting evidence and respond firmly.
