SM Entertainment has revealed their plans for their upcoming groups. The company announced a new NCT unit and the debut of several SM Rookies. In addition to that, the agency confirmed a new girl group will be debuting this year.

SM Entertainment Shares Plans For New IP in 2023

The official SMTown YouTube channel uploaded a new video titled “SM 3.0: NEW IP 2023”. In the video, SM Entertainment CEO Jang Cheol Hyuk discusses the launch of a new IP this year.

Jang Cheol-hyuk revealed that NCT’s next subunit will be the final part of the group’s ongoing expansion. The new subunit will feature more Japanese members and two SM Rookies will be joining the unit. The other new members of the subunit will be chosen through a pre-debut reality show.

It was also confirmed that Shohei will not be joining the new NCT subunit due to health reasons. Shohei was previously revealed as part of SM Rookies. He will carry out individual activities instead.

Jang Cheol Hyuk also confirmed that former NCT members Sungchan and Shotaro will debut in a new boy group with SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan. The new group will also feature other members of Korean and American nationalities.

SM Entertainment had previously announced that Sungchan and Shotaro are leaving NCT to promote as members of a new boy group.

“As NCT members, SUNGCHAN and SHOTARO have presented wondrous performances,” the statement read.

“However, they will be closing their chapter with NCT and debuting in a new boy group that will launch in 2023,” it continued. “We express our deepest apologies and appreciation for the fans that have been supporting and eagerly waiting for the to debut as part of the new NCT group.”

Jung Sungchan and Osaki Shotaro debuted as part of NCT in October 2020 and were initially slated to join its next subunit.

The third announcement confirmed that a new girl group will debut later this year. Details about the new group were not provided. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.