When Joy acts she's one hundred percent absorbed. She's no longer Joy, no longer Sooyoung, she's her character. She can't be disturbed, can't be distracted. That's why directors love her. She's dedicated. Therefore, whatever spell was released over Irene last time they were together, she's absolutely oblivious to it. Of course, even though Joy has no fictional character to take over her nights and days, she's still one of busiest members in the group. However, as she starts spending much more time with the girls during Red Flavor promotions, all that effort that would go to acting is into put her growing obsession with Irene. 

At one of their interviews, the girls give her a photo album with Level Up Project Season 1 pictures. She does like it, but she's also jealous. She couldn’t go because of her drama back then and now all she has are photographed memories. What she’s jealous of, however, is not the fact the girls had fun without her for she knows they’ll have Season 2. She’s jealous because she’s missed numerous opportunities of getting closer to Irene and time’s the only thing that cannot be retrieved. Sure, both of them are a lot more friendly, but that's about it. After their leader almost lost her soul to Joy rehearsing her y dance for SNL (which Joy has no idea about, because being the great actress she is, she was being y just for the sake of it), Irene hasn't given her chance of getting any closer.

Something out of ordinary that catches Joy's attention at SM Town Special Stage in Hong Kong is that Irene manages to make her signature dance for Greedy even more appealing. She can't take her eyes off the girl, absolutely mesmerized. Joy tries to blame it on the make up, outfit or even routine, but she knows it's all the same. It's Juhyun who's more confident, who's got a hungry look in her eyes. She looks awaken, greedy, much like the song itself. The entire performance is carved on Joy's mind like branding iron.

After the performance, observing Irene interacting with 94 liners - the Holy Trinity - Joy concludes Hyunnie is much more comfortable around them because:

Therefore, as much as she wants to be the closest to the mesmerizing and mysterious figure that is Hyunnie, she’s still behind.

She can’t blame Hyun for being so close to Wanda; the fluent English speaker of Red Velvet is as kind as relatable as trustworthy. Joy herself has had her share of girl-talk sessions with Wanda. She even let out once to the girl that she feels that if love is meant to be like the American dream, maybe it’s not for her and this bothers her more than it should. Wanda seemed to get it, she replied happiness is not given, but constructed, and not everyone builds it the same way. Ever since then, Joy stopped worrying about what other’s want for her and has been focusing more on what she wants for herself; right now, that would be Irene's attention.

Lovely Winnie-the-Pooh, on the other hand, only has deep talks with anyone if they persuade her with Pringles (instead of honey, as in the cartoon). That precious information was given to Joy by Yerimmie, whom Joy would say love her as unconditionally as she does her, except Yerim says she expects six packages of Pepero by her bed next morning because “being Sooyoung’s best friend is not easy,” she says, and she deserves a “thank-you gift just for existing.” Joy can’t deny it. Sooyoung plans to meet Seulgi first thing next morning in order to get a hungry bear and treat her some Pringles (all of that after leaving not six, but seven packages of Pepero by sleeping Yeri’s bed – Sooyoung knows how to play this game, excuse me).

Surprisingly, Soo finds out Seulbear is not as clueless as she thought she were. As a matter of fact, Kang Seulgi is an observer. From that, Sooyoung finds out about Juhyun’s nature, past lovers details (gasp) and how they didn’t work out (“hmmm”). Seulgi is a very good actress, too, because when Joy comments without any malice –which is very rare– about how Seungwan and Juhyun are also very close, the Bear instantly puts on her clueless mask again and shuts down as if none of that conversation happened.

“Yeah… Well, Joy, thank you for those Pringles! I’m going to have a walk now, take some fresh air, you know… See you!”

“What? Oh,