Red Velvet’s Wendy Reflects on Studying Abroad, Racism, and a Difficult Period of Self Discovery

On February 26, Wendy appeared as a guest on the YouTube channel ‘Go Eun Unnie Han Go-eun’, where she spoke about moving overseas in elementary school and the emotional struggles she faced during that time opening up about a challenging period in her youth.

Adjusting to Life in Canada

Wendy revealed that she left for Canada in the fifth grade after seeing how positively the experience had impacted her older sister. However, the transition proved to be far more difficult than she had expected.

“I couldn’t speak any English at all,” she recalled. Living with a host family and attending a school where she struggled to understand conversations, Wendy said she wanted to return to Korea on her very first day. Over time fortunately, things improved. After about a month, she began picking up the language and gradually started feeling more comfortable at school.

Experiencing Isolation and Racism

The situation became more challenging when she transferred from Brockville to Toronto a few years later. Wendy described feeling isolated at her new Catholic school, explaining that she struggled to fit in socially despite the diverse environment.

She shared that she experienced discriminatory treatment from some peers. “If I asked to join them, they would say, ‘You can’t, you’re Korean,’” she recalled. According to Wendy, even when she reported incidents to teachers, the response was limited to being told to resolve the issue privately, which left her feeling unsupported. She admitted that she often ate alone and spent time crying in private spaces at school.

A Period of Change

In response to the emotional strain, Wendy said she began focusing more on trying to fit in socially rather than academically. During that time, her personal style changed dramatically, and she also experienced noticeable weight gain.

She shared that within about a year, she gained over 10 kilograms, eventually reaching around 15 kilograms. When she returned home and met her mother and sister at the airport, she said they were surprised by how much she had changed.

Reflecting on that period, Wendy described it as a time of confusion and self discovery one that ultimately shaped her resilience.

By speaking openly about her past, Wendy offered insight into the pressures of growing up abroad and the lasting impact of social exclusion, while also highlighting how those experiences contributed to her personal growth.