Tag: SM Entertainment

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These Are the Planned Albums, Concerts for SM Entertainment Acts for the Rest of 2023

SHINee releases album 'HARD' in June. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

2023 is looking to be an interesting year for SM Entertainment as they unveiled their plans for the coming months. 

On Wednesday, August 2, the agency unveiled its earnings release report for the second quarter of 2023.

The said report includes updates of their consolidated business results for the past quarter, as well as event line-up previews for the coming months. 

According to the report, SM Entertainment logged 35.7 billion won in operating profit for the second quarter of 2023. Their net income also increased by 11.6%, reporting 28.3% billion won. 

Meanwhile, their quarterly revenue improved by 30% to 239.8 billion won. 

The increase in revenue is attributed to the resumption of offline concerts globally and more merchandise sold through pop-up stores related to album releases. 

Relative to the increase, SM Entertainment specifically mentioned aespa’s EP My World, which sold over two million copies. 

Additionally, groups NCT DREAM, TVXQ!, and Red Velvet held the most offline concerts worldwide, with 17, 12 and 11, respectively. 

What to expect for the rest of 2023 in terms of albums 

As for their upcoming music releases, eight SM Entertainment acts are slated to make a comeback in the third quarter. Meanwhile, 11 acts are scheduled the fourth quarter. 

Although the agency clarified that the lineup might change, here’s a rundown of what fans can possibly expect: 

3rd quarter:

For August, U-Know Yunho of TVXQ is confirmed to be releasing his third solo mini-album Reality Show on the 7th.

Meanwhile, Hyo, or Hyoyeon from Girls’ Generation, will be releasing a single.  Also for August, NCT might release an album and aespa with an English single.

Details for said releases have yet to be disclosed, but NCT will be having their first full-group concert NCT NATION: To the World on August 26, while aespa teased a release titled “Better Things.”

For September, Super Junior’s Yesung, SHINee’s Key, and EXO’s D.O. will be releasing their solo mini-albums. 

RIIZE, SM Entertainment’s first boy group in seven years, is also expected to make their official debut in September with a single. 

4th quarter:

Although there are no specific months yet, SHINee’s Minho and Super Junior’s Ryeowook will be releasing a single in the fourth quarter.

Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and SHINee’s Taemin will also be making their solo comebacks with mini-albums. 

Moreover, TVXQ! and Red Velvet might release full albums, while it’s undecided whether NCT127 will release a full-length album or a single. RIIZE is also expected to make a comeback in the fourth quarter with a single. 

As for international releases, WayV will have a full-length album in Chinese, while aespa might release an English single or mini-album. 

NCT Tokyo is also planned to make their debut in the fourth quarter with a Japanese single. Although the preview noted that the artist’s name is still tentative.

NCT Tokyo will reportedly have six members, with four being chosen from the reality survival show NCT Universe: The Lastart. It is also said to be the final sub-unit of NCT. 

What to expect for the rest of 2023 in terms of concerts 

 

Meanwhile, six acts will be having concert shows for the next months.

Taeyeon is currently embarking on the Asia leg of her The ODD Of Love show, which will run until late August. Additionally, aespa is doing the America and Europe stops of their Syk: Hyper Line shows until September. 

From August to September, Chen will have his Polaris tour in Japan. After their Seoul shows, NCT will bring their NCT NATION: To the World concert to Japan in September. 

SHINee will stage their World VI [Perfect Illumination] shows in Japan between September to October, while Yesung will kick off his solo concert tour in Seoul in October.

On top of that, the agency will also bring their SMTOWN LIVE concert to Jakarta in September. TVXQ!, Super Junior, Red Velvet, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, aespa, and RIIZE will be performing. 

Stay tuned here for more updates about these upcoming releases and concerts. Which of these are you most looking forward to?  

Featured image: SHINee releases album ‘HARD’ in June. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

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Here Are the Members of SM Entertainment’s New Boy Group Riiize

SM Entertainment introduces the members for their new boy group RIIZE. Credits: Instagram/RIIZE

This is not a drill: SM Entertainment has finally introduced the members of their highly-anticipated new boy group RIIZE! 

The agency launched the group’s official Instagram account on Tuesday, August 1, wherein they introduced the official seven members of RIIZE. 

 

RIIZE is composed of Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Won Bin, Seung Han, So Hee, and Anton. 

Based on the member profiles posted, Shotaro and Eunseok are both 22 years old, Sunchan and Won Bin are 21, while Seung Han, So Hee and Anton are all 19.

Shotaro and Sungchan were former NCT members who were removed from the group in May.

SM Entertainment’s CEO Jang Cheol-hyuk explained that the two, together with SMROOKIES Eunseok and Seunghan will be part of a new boy group instead. 

RIIZE will be SM Entertainment’s first boy group in seven years following NCT. The agency’s latest group to debut was the female act aespa. 

What we know about RIIZE so far

According to SM Entertainment, RIIZE is a combination of the words “rise” and “realize.” 

The group is aiming for a September debut, but there’s no final details yet. The agency also said that RIIZE is currently wrapping up the filming of their music video. 

Additionally, SM Entertainment earlier revealed that the group’s musical genre will be “emotional pop.” They also teased that RIIZE will write “a new chapter of music history.” 

Meanwhile, other photos and information for RIIZE and its members will be unveiled on August 4. 

Known as one of the leading K-pop agencies, SM Entertainment is also home to acts such as TVXQ, Super Junior, SNSD, SHINee, EXO, and Red Velvet. 

Currently, the label will also form the last unit of NCT through the talent competition series NCT Universe: LASTART. 

Featured image: SM Entertainment introduces the members for their new boy group RIIZE. Credits: Instagram/RIIZE

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SM Entertainment Confirms New Boy Group Riize to Debut in September

Former NCT members Shotaro and Sungchan and SMRookies Eunseok and Seunghan are confirmed to be part of RIIZE. Credit: Facebook/NCT and SM Rookies' page

It’s official: SM Entertainment is entering a new era! The agency confirmed that their new boy group RIIZE is making its debut in September. 

In a press release on Monday, July 31, the agency announced that RIIZE will have “seven-top notch members who have both skills and visuals.” 

SM Entertainment continued that these members will each have their own unique characteristics and strengths. The group will also “embark on a new ‘realtime odyssey’ together as one team.” 

The agency added that RIIZE will “write a new chapter of music history.” 

What we know about RIIZE

Combined from the words “rise” and “realize,” SM Entertainment explained that the group name RIIZE is meant to symbolize how the team will grow and achieve their dreams. 

As of writing, there’s no details yet about the group’s debut album. But the agency confirmed that RIIZE’s musical genre will be “emotional pop.” 

For weeks, eagle-eyed fans have been speculating that RIIZE would be the group’s name after they discovered that SM Entertainment has applied new trademark over the phrases “Rise&Realize” and “RIIZE.” 

Some have also discovered social media accounts that use the said name. 

SM Entertainment said that the RIIZE’s official Instagram account will be launched on August 1, alongside the introduction of the members. 

In May, SM Entertainment’s CEO Jang Cheol Hyuk first confirmed that the new boy group will have former NCT members Sungchan and Shotaro and SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan as part of its lineup. The seven-piece act will also feature other members of Korean and American nationalities. 

RIIZE will serve as the agency’s first boy group in seven years following NCT. SM Entertainment’s latest group was aespa, which made their debut in 2020. 

Meanwhile, aside from the RIIZE, SM Entertainment is also currently forming the last unit of NCT. Through the reality series, NCT Universe: LASTART, they will be looking for members of NCT Tokyo.

Featured image Former NCT members Shotaro and Sungchan and SMRookies Eunseok and Seunghan are confirmed to be part of RIIZE. Credit: Facebook/NCT and SM Rookies’ page

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Watch: SM Entertainment Releases Trailer for ‘Nct Universe: Lastart’

NCTzens, are you ready to meet the members of a brand-new NCT Unit? 

SM Entertainment released on Wednesday, July 19, the first trailer for its upcoming pre-debut reality show NCT Universe: LASTART. 

The two-and-a-half minute video gives fans a closer look at the 10 participating aspiring idols, the training and challenges that they had to go through, and the evaluators who will assess the performance of the candidates. 

SM Entertainment artists such as TVXQ’s Changmin, Super Junior’s Donghae, SHINee’s Taemin, EXO’s Xiumin, and NCT’s Ten and Taeyeong were shown to have visited the trainees in the practice room to give mentorship. 

Meanwhile, H.O.T’s Kangta, Super Junior’s Leeteuk and Ryeowook, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, and NCT’s Johnny and Haechan also had brief appearances in the trailer — but they all appeared to be giving feedback while sitting in a studio. 

BoA, Super Junior’s Eunhyuk, and SHINee’s Key were also introduced as “artist directors” for the show. 

Meet the 10 participants

Prior to the release of the trailer, SM Entertainment has also unveiled all 10 candidates through individual videos. Thep participating trainees go by the names: Riku, Ryo, Haruta, Kassho, Anderson, Jungmin, Ryu, Minjae,  Heitetsu, and Sakuya.

 

The trailer revealed that the 10 trainees were chosen from all over the world. 

Only six members will be part of NCT Tokyo. Four members are going to be chosen from the reality show NCT Universe: LASTART, while the other two members are SM Rookies Yushi and Sion. 

SM Entertainment CEO Jang Cheo-hyuk announced in May that their plans of debuting several groups. 

NCT Tokyo will be the final sub-unit of NCT. Currently, NCT has 20 members that are scattered along several sub-units: NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, and NCT U. NCT127 also has its own sub-unit, which is DoJaeJung. 

The agency also plans to debut a new girl group and a new boy group, which will include former NCT members Shotaro and Sungchan and  SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan. 

SM Entertainment has yet to announce final debut dates for these said groups. Stay tuned here for more updates!

Featured image: Screenshot from SM’s YouTube

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Exo’s ‘Travel the World on a Ladder 4’ to Premiere in August 11

Mark your calendars, EXO-Ls because K-pop boy group EXO is returning with a new season of their hit variety show Travel the World on a Ladder! 

Travel the World on a Ladder is a reality-variety series wherein EXO members make their travel decisions based on the results of a ladder game. 

 

Its first season, which aired in 2018, starred EXO-CBX members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin. The second and third season featured the whole group. 

This upcoming fourth installment will see members Suho, Xiumin, D.O., Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Chen, and Sehun. Kai won’t be part of it since he enlisted in the military in May. 

SM C&C Studio also released individual photos of the members posing with an airsoft gun in a field. Although details about the show have yet to be released, fans are already anticipating the adorable ruckus the EXO members will create while playing this outdoor game. 

The first two episodes will premiere on August 11 on Wave. There will be a total of twelve episodes, with two episodes airing every Friday until September 15. 

The ‘Travel the World on a Ladder 4’ release comes after EXO wrapped up the promotional activities for their seventh full-length album EXIST. 

EXIST, which served as EXO’s first album as a full-group in two years, has a total of nine songs, with “Cream Soda” as its title track. 

Originally a 12-piece act, EXO debuted under SM Entertainment in April 2012. Chinese members Kris, Tao, and Luhan have left the group, while Lay left SM Entertainment in April 2022. 

EXO is known for songs “Growl,” “Monster,” “Love Shot,” “Overdose,” and “Tempo.” 

Featured image from EXO’s Twitter

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Smtown Live 2023 Is Coming to Jakarta in September

Rejoice, Indonesian K-pop fans because SM Entertainment is bringing their highly-anticipated company-wide concert SMTOWN LIVE 2023 to Jakarta! 

The agency announced on Wednesday, July 26, that the concert featuring artists from SM Entertainment will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 23. 

The one-night show will feature performances and appearances from eight acts, including TVXQ!, Super Junior, Red Velvet, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, aespa, as well as SM Entertainment’s upcoming new boy group. 

The label added that the celebration is even more special as 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Indonesia. “With our upcoming show, we will reflect on the meaning of harmony while promoting more active cultural exchange between the two countries.”

The SMTOWN LIVE 2023 in Jakarta might serve as the first international schedule for SM’s new boy group. Although the agency remains tight-lipped about the upcoming act, a representative has earlier confirmed that said group is gearing up for a September debut. 

SM Entertainment’s CEO Jang Cheol Hyuk has also revealed that the new boy group will have former NCT members Sungchan and Shotaro and SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan as part of its lineup. The seven-piece act will also feature other members of Korean and American nationalities. 

First staged in 2008, SM TOWN LIVE is a concert tour held by SM Entertainment artists. It had stops in Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States. 

The last SM TOWN LIVE 2023 concert in Jakarta will be the second time it’ll be held in Indonesia, with the first being in September 2012. 

Featured image: Red Velvet’s Facebook

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Is Riize the Name of SM Entertainment’s New Kpop Boy Group?

Fans are already looking forward to the debut of SM Entertainment’s new boy group and they can’t help but look for any development about it. 

Eagle-eyed netizens took to social media to discuss what could be the possible name of the said group, especially that some users have discovered that SM Entertainment has applied for a new trademark over the phrases “Rise&Realize” and “RIIZE.” 

Online users pointed out how the agency applied for the trademark on May 24, 2023 — the same day wherein SM Entertainment released their statement about their plans for upcoming groups, as well as Shotaro and Sungchan’s departure from the group NCT. 

This prompted fans to search for “Rise&Realize” and “RIIZE” on social media platforms, which led to them discovering Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok accounts that carry the name RIIZE_OFFICIAL. Said social media accounts were registered in April 2023. 

 

Although SM Entertainment remains tight-lipped about their upcoming boy group, a representative from the agency has earlier confirmed that it is gearing up for a September debut. 

“The new boy group is currently filming their music video and at the final stage of preparations,” the agency said. 

SM Entertainment’s CEO Jang Cheol Hyuk has revealed that the new boy group will have former NCT members Sungchan and Shotaro and SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan as part of its lineup. The seven-piece act will also feature other members of Korean and American nationalities. 

Meanwhile, aside from the new boy group, SM Entertainment is also currently forming the last unit of NCT. Through the reality series, NCT Universe: LASTART, they will be looking for members of NCT Tokyo. 

Featured image: SM Rookies’ Facebook

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Exo Sets New Personal Record With ‘Exist’

The wait is over, EXO-Ls! K-pop powerhouse EXO made their highly-anticipated comeback on Monday, July 10 with their seventh full-length album EXIST. 

EXO also released on Monday the music video for its title track “Cream Soda,” a dance-pop song with heavy brass and drum sounds. 

The music video of “Cream Soda” only featured members Suho, Xiumin, Chen, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, D.O., and Suho. 

 

Member Kai, who enlisted in May, was absent. But he was present in the music videos of the two earlier released songs “Hear Me Out” and “Let Me In.” 

EXIST, which has a total of nine tracks, also includes songs “Regret It,” “Private Party,” “Cinderella,” “No Make Up,” “Love Fool,” and “ Another Day.” 

Within hours of its release, EXIST recorded a total of 1,074,914 sales, making it EXO’s highest first day sales. It’s also the first album of the group to surpass 1 million first-week sales. 

Meanwhile, “Cream Soda” placed no 1. on the worldwide ITunes song chart after topping the chart in more than 60 countries on its first day. 

 

EXIST served as EXO’s first album as a full-group in two years, following the extended play Don’t Fight This Feeling that was released in June 2021. 

The group comeback came after three members – Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin – had a legal dispute with agency SM Entertainment about their settlements. The two parties reached an agreement in June, saying that they’ve resolved their differences and agreed to continue their activities as EXO. 

Aside from the new album, EXO is also confirmed to star in a new reality show. 

Originally a 12-piece act, EXO debuted under SM Entertainment in April 2012. Chinese members Kris, Tao, and Luhan have left the group, while Lay left SM Entertainment in April 2022. 

EXO is known for songs “Growl,” “Monster,” “Love Shot,” Overdose,” and “Tempo.” 

Featured image: EXO’s Facebook

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SM Entertainment Announces Upcoming Reality Show NCT Universe: LASTART

In an exciting announcement, SM Entertainment revealed its plans to launch a reality show titled NCT Universe: LASTART, through which they will handpick new members for their highly popular boy group, NCT.

The show, set to commence on July 27, aims to provide a transparent and captivating glimpse into the process of selecting members for the upcoming NCT NEW TEAM.

The name LASTART is a clever combination of “LAST” and “START.” It symbolizes the conclusion of NCT‘s infinite expansion concept while signifying the beginning of a fresh chapter with the new team. The press release from SM Entertainment to Herald Pop shed light on the show’s premise and objectives.

Viewers will have the chance to witness the intricate procedures involved in member composition, rigorous training, intensive practice sessions, and, ultimately, the formation of the final team. The show is set to captivate global audiences, as it will be broadcasted on multiple platforms, including ENA and TVING in Korea, Nippon TV in Japan, and KOCOWA+ in North, Central, and South America.

As anticipation builds for NCT Universe: LASTART, fans worldwide eagerly await the unveiling of talented new members who will contribute to the continued success and evolution of the esteemed NCT family.

Featured Photo Credit: NCT Official Twitter Account

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Watch: SM Entertainment Reveals New SM Rookies Yushi, Sion

Meet Yushi and Sion, the newest trainees that joined SM Entertainment’s pre-debut team called SM Rookies. 

On Wednesday, June 28, the agency released two videos featuring Yushi and Sion. The almost one-minute clips teased fans on the visuals and skills of both aspiring idols. 

Although SM Entertainment didn’t provide any additional details about the two, Yushi and Sion’s introduction came a month after the agency unveiled its plans about a new NCT unit and the debut of several SM Rookies. 

In May, SM Entertainment CEO Jang Cheo-hyuk shared that the new NCT sub-unit will be the group’s last. Currently, NCT has 20 members that are scattered along several sub-units: NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, and NCT U. NCT127 also has its own sub-unit, which is DoJaeJung. 

At the time, Jang said that SM Entertainment will soon introduce two new members – one Korean and one Japanese – that will become part of NCT’s new unit. Other members of the said sub-unit will be selected from a pre-debut reality show. 

It was also then when the CEO mentioned that Shohei, who was introduced as part of SM Rookies, won’t be joining NCT’s new unit due to health reasons. He will pursue individual activities, instead.

Meanwhile, former NCT members Shotaro and Sungchan are confirmed to debut as a new boy group under SM Entertainment later in 2023, alongside SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan. The lineup for the new boy group will also include members of Korean and American nationalities. 

Stay tuned for more updates on which SM Entertainment group Yushi and Sion are debuting.

Featured Image from SMTOWN’s YouTube account

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