If we were to pick the current strikers of SM Entertainment (KOSDAQ 041510, hereafter referred to as SM), most would point to NCT, Aespa, and RIIZE. These groups are currently at the forefront of K-pop, showcasing their presence and contributing significantly to SM's major revenues.
So, who is holding down the fort for SM right now? Living legends like BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, and Red Velvet, who dominated the 2000s and 2010s, continue to achieve meaningful results, proving their enduring presence as legendary artists.
BoA has been active in various fields as an actress, MC, and audition program judge. This year, celebrating her 24th anniversary since debut, she demonstrated her prowess as a producer by taking charge of producing NCT WISH.
BoA, who returned to her primary role by releasing her self-composed song "Emptiness," will hold "BoA LIVE TOUR - BoA: One's Own" on October 12-13 at the Handball Stadium in Olympic Park, Seoul. This event will offer a rich parade of her hit songs and dance performances, showcasing BoA's extensive discography.
TVXQ set a new record last year in Japan by holding the "CLASSYC" nationwide live tour, making history as the foreign artist with the most performances at Tokyo Dome and other domes nationwide, proving their unwavering popularity. In the first half of this year, they continued the "20&2" Asia tour, meeting fans in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Taipei, Macau, and Jakarta.
Starting in November, TVXQ will embark on another nationwide live tour in Japan, with 19 performances in eight cities, including Saitama, Aichi, Hiroshima, Osaka, Fukui, Miyagi, Fukuoka, and Kanagawa. This tour will precede their 20th anniversary of debuting in Japan in April 2025, promising unforgettable moments for their long-time local fans.
Super Junior is gearing up for their 20th anniversary next year with the "Super Show Spin-Off" concert. This concert not only features Super Junior's hit stages but also unique unit performances and cover stages that fans want to see.
The "Super Show Spin-Off" held on June 22-23 at KSPO Dome in Songpa-gu, Seoul, sold out all seats, including additional restricted view seats, proving Super Junior's ticket power. The final performance was broadcast live online via Beyond Live and Weverse, allowing fans from the USA, Mexico, Japan, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines to watch the concert.
Super Junior will continue the "Super Show Spin-Off" Asia tour in Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh this month, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei in August, and Hong Kong and Jakarta in September.
SHINee held their sixth solo concert, "SHINee World," from June last year to May this year. They toured arena venues in Seoul, Saitama, Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo, successfully holding concerts at Tokyo Dome for the first time in six years. They also sold out all their concerts in Singapore and Hong Kong.
The encore concert of "SHINee World" held in May at Inspire Arena in Incheon sold out all three performances, including restricted view seats, attracting 30,000 attendees. This concert was also broadcast live online via Beyond Live and Weverse, allowing fans from the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, and Singapore to join.
Red Velvet, celebrating their 10th anniversary, released a new album "Cosmic" and will begin their fan concert tour "Happiness: My Dear, ReVeluv" in the second half of this year. The fan concert will kick off on August 3-4 at the Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul. Due to the enthusiastic response from fans, an additional concert has been scheduled.
Following the fan concert in Seoul, Red Velvet will hold concerts in five locations, including Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, and Macau.