National Irene Day - Wondering what National Irene Day is? We have the answer for you!

National Irene Day 2024 – November 8, 2024

National Irene Day is celebrated on November 8 every year. The name Irene is conventionally a feminine name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek ‘εἰρήνη,’ meaning ‘peace.’ The word refers to Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace. The name was also shared by a Byzantine empress, Irene of Athens, and a Christian saint. Perhaps one of the most famous Irenes is Irene (born Bae Joo-hyun) from the Korean girl group Red Velvet. National Irene Day was created to celebrate all the Irenes in the world.

History of National Irene Day

The name Irene comes from Ancient Greek, but it only became popular in English around the 19th century. In England, it reached a peak in popularity after the release of the novel series “The Forsyte Saga” with the character Irene Forsyte. Some nice pet names and nicknames for Irene can be Reena, Riena, and Rina.Red Velvet is a South Korean girl group signed with and managed by SM Entertainment. The group debuted on August 1, 2014, with the single ‘Happiness’ and a four-member lineup consisting of Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Joy. Another member, Yeri, was added to the group a year later when they came out with their first mini album, “Ice Cream Cake.” The name of the group reflects their music releases. Their “red” side is more pop-focused and their “velvet” side is R&B-focused. This has made their discography versatile and garnered a great deal of critical acclaim. The group has been the recipient of multiple awards, including the Golden Disc New Artist Award, the Mnet Asian Music Award for ‘Best Female Group,’ and the Asia Artist Award for ‘Song of the Year.’Red Velvet’s Irene, born Bae Joo-hyun, is the group’s leader. She joined SM Entertainment in 2009 and spent the next five years training to debut. She debuted alongside three of her bandmates with “Happiness.” Red Velvet then went on to become one of the most popular K-pop groups in South Korea and the world. Irene has also worked as a music show host and an actress. Furthermore, she has also released solo music. Irene is also part of the Red Velvet sub-unit, Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, which debuted in 2020.

National Irene Day timeline

August 15, 1948
The Republic of Korea

The republic is established.

March 29, 1991
Birth

Irene is born Bae Joo-hyun.

August 1, 2014
Red Velvet Debuts

The Korean girl group Red Velvet debuts with four members.

2020
Sub-Unit

Irene is announced to be a part of a new Red Velvet sub-unit.

National Irene Day FAQs

Is Irene a nice name?

Yes, it’s a beautiful name! It is used in several countries with different languages, showing what a nice name it is.

Who is the youngest in Red Velvet?

Yeri is the youngest member of Red Velvet.

Who is the leader of Red Velvet?

Irene is the leader!

National Irene Day Activities

  1. Appreciate an Irene

    If you have a fantastic Irene in your life, go appreciate them. They deserve to get some love on this day!

  2. Look up the etymology of your name

    Your name is bound to be interesting, so look up the origin of your own name. There may even be some similarities with the name Irene!

  3. Listen to Red Velvet

    Red Velvet has a wonderful discography. Give a few songs a listen and find your favorite one!

5 Interesting Facts About K-pop

  1. Annual number of debuts

    Every year, about 100 K-pop groups debut.

  2. The cost of training

    The cost of training a K-pop idol is about $2 million.

  3. Paying off debt

    Because of the cost of training, a lot of K-pop idols are not paid for their work until that debt is paid off.

  4. The First SNL performance

    The first Korean act to perform as a musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” was BTS.

  5. An insured leg

    Korean idol Yura, a member of the girl group Girl’s Day, has her legs insured for $500,000.

Why We Love National Irene Day

  1. It is a fascinating history lesson

    Irene is a beautiful name with a very interesting etymology. It’s wonderful to find out what it means.

  2. It’s an excuse to listen to Red Velvet

    The K-pop group Red Velvet has a solid discography. National Irene Day is a good opportunity to listen to it and enjoy the group.

  3. We want to appreciate the Irenes we know

    We love appreciating people we care for. This day is a perfect excuse to show our Irenes some love!

National Irene Day dates

Year Date Day
2022 November 8 Tuesday
2023 November 8 Wednesday
2024 November 8 Friday
2025 November 8 Saturday
2026 November 8 Sunday