SMTOWN 2025
Thirty years of SM Entertainment history came to life at the “SMTOWN Live 2025 [The Culture, The Future] in Seoul” concert featuring H.O.T., S.E.S., BOA, TVXQ, SUPER JUNIOR, GIRLS’ GENERATION (SNSD), SHINEE, EXO, RED VELVET, NCT, AESPA, RIIZE, NAEVIS, dearALICE, and trainees.
SM Entertainment‘s annual concert, held Saturday and Sunday at Gocheok Sky Dome in western Seoul, celebrated the agency’s 30th founding anniversary with a 5-hour event that featured SM Entertainment‘s top past, present, and future artists.
A total of 59 songs were performed by 98 SM Entertainment artists who not only performed their biggest hits, but also other artists’ hits. For example, AESPA performed their singles “Supernova” (2024) and “Whiplash” as well as girl group F(x)’s “Rum Pum Pum,” while RIIZE performed their singles “Impossible” and “Boom Boom Bass” as well as TVXQ’s debut single “Hug.”
The collaborations were the cherry on top. AESPA’s GISELLE and NCT’s YANGYANG joined GIRL’S GENERATION’s HYOYEON on stage for her performance of “Dessert”, NCT’s JENO performed with SHINEE’s KEY for “Villain”, RIIZE’s SUNGCHAN performed “Bad boy, sad girl” with RED VELVET’s SEULGI, RIIZE’s SOHEE sang with FLY TO THE SKY‘s HWANHEE for “Sea of love“.
TVXQ, SUPER JUNIOR, EXO’s SUHO and CHANYEOL, NCT’s JOHNNY, KUN, TEN, JUNGWOO, CHENLE, RYO and SAKUYA, and RIIZE’s EUNSEOK all joined forces to perform “Show me your love,” a 2005 collaboration song between TVXQ and SUPER JUNIOR. Veteran singers also participated, including S.E.S.’s BADA, H.O.T.’s KANGTA and TONY AN.
The agency’s male trainees were also introduced during the concert under the name SMTR25, while a teaser for new girl group HEARTS2HEARTS was released at the end of the concert. The girl group will make their official debut on February 24 as the agency’s first new girl group in five years since AESPA’s debut in 2020.
“SMTOWN is not just a gathering of SM Entertainment artists, we are only complete when we have all of you with us. Thank you for being here and completing SMTOWN with us,” said NCT Dream’s JISUNG.
When all the singers joined the stage to end the concert with a performance of “Hope” (1998), it was already 10 pm, but the seats were still filled with fans who had attended the 5-hour concert.
“Watching everyone perform their own and each other’s songs made me realize how amazing SM Entertainment is. I really felt happy to be a part of SM Entertainment and EXO. I told the fans on bubble. I have all the artists, fans, and Pink Blood with me. I really hope you are as happy as you make us happy,” said EXO’s SUHO after his performance of “First Snow” with member CHANYEOL.
Pink Blood is a term used by SM Entertainment artists, staff, and fans to express their pride in the company. It comes from the pink color of SM Entertainment’s official logo and symbolizes having Pink Blood in your veins.
The collective pride comes from the fact that SM Entertainment is not only home to some of the biggest names in K-pop, but its true value lies in the fact that it is the only company that can be credited with founding the modern K-pop industry.
Since its founding by Lee Soo Man on February 14, 1995, SM Entertainment has led the pop music market not only with talented artists and their high-quality music, but also with innovative ideas that have revolutionized the scene.
SM Entertainment introduced the so-called ae-members of AESPA as virtual members of the group when the idea of virtual idols was far from trendy. The company’s idea of creating a mega franchise called NCT and launching sub-groups within that franchise has also been questioned by many observers, but NCT continues to be one of the biggest boybands in K-pop. SM Entertainment also launched NAEVIS last year, becoming the first major K-pop agency to feature a fully virtual singer without a human actor behind the avatar.
The idea of an annual agency-wide concert is also an example of the company’s innovations, which began in 2008 and has been held in various countries around the world, including Japan, China, Thailand, the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates, and more.
The slogan “The Culture, The Future” created for the 30th anniversary concert is SM Entertainment’s new motto and also the name of an agency-wide album that will be released as part of the company’s significant year celebration. The album’s title track, “Thank you,” was unveiled during the concert and was released on online streaming platforms on Sunday.
“The slogan reflects SM Entertainment’s determination to continue leading the future of K-pop and creating unique value in the global music market, building on the cultural legacy we have built over the years,” SM Entertainment said in a statement.
“It embodies SM Entertainment’s identity, which has lived and will always live in people’s daily lives and memories through music and culture.”
The “SMTOWN Live 2025” concerts will continue in Mexico City, Los Angeles, London and Tokyo.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS SMTOWN
