List of SM Entertainment artists
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
SM Entertainment, established in 1989 as SM Studio by music producer Lee Soo-man,[1] is one of South Korea's largest and most influential entertainment companies[2] and a cornerstone of the modern K-pop industry.[3] Known for pioneering the idol training system, SM developed a structured approach to developing talent in singing, dancing, and performance that later became a blueprint for other agencies.[4] SM debuted its first artist, Hyun Jin-young, in 1990, who has been credited with introducing rapping and hip hop music to South Korean audiences.[5]
After changing its name to SM Entertainment in 1995,[6] the company debuted its first idol group, H.O.T., in 1996, whose successful formula became the model for many K-pop groups.[7] At the turn of the 21st century, amid industry-wide declines in domestic record sales, SM turned to other East Asian markets,[4] debuting soloist BoA. In 2002, BoA became the first Korean artist to top the Oricon Albums Chart, a feat that is credited with opening the door for other K-pop artists in the country.[8]
Over its history, SM has been home to a diverse array of successful idol groups, including S.E.S., TVXQ, Girls' Generation, Super Junior, Shinee, Exo, Red Velvet, NCT, and Aespa, as well as top soloists such as BoA, Taeyeon, Taemin and Baekhyun. As a talent agency, SM additionally represents numerous actors and entertainers. Artists under SM Entertainment are part of a collective known as SM Town.[9]
Current artists
Groups
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SM Entertainment currently has nine active groups, the oldest being TVXQ, which was established in 2003 before debuting in 2004 with the single "Hug",[10] and sold over 10 million albums cumulatively in South Korea in Japan in their first 10 years.[11] Super Junior debuted in 2005 as a 12-piece ensemble,[12] and have been dubbed "Kings of the Hallyu Wave" for their contributions to the Korean Wave.[13][14][15] Girls' Generation debuted in July 2007 as a nine-member ensemble with the single "Into the New World", following it up with their self-titled debut studio album that November.[16] Girls' Generation has been dubbed "The Nation's Girl Group"[17][18] and have been credited with shifting the public's focus back to female idols after the Korean music industry experienced an influx of male idol groups from 2002 to 2007.[19] In 2008, Shinee, a five-member boy band, debuted with the extended play Replay.[20] The group has been considered by some to be among the best singers and dancers in the K-pop industry[21] and has been bestowed the title "Princes of K-Pop" by multiple media outlets.[22][21]
Pushing into the 2010s, SM further expanded with its roster Exo, its first new group in four years. The multi-national boy band established two sub-units: Exo-K, which focused on the South Korean market, and Exo-M, which focused on China. Both groups debuted in April 2012 with the EP Mama, which was released in both Korean and Mandarin editions.[23] With the release of their debut album in 2013, Exo became the first Korean artist in 12 years to sell over one million copies of an album,[24] and by 2018 had become the first South Korean artist who debuted in the 21st century to sell 10 million albums cumulatively.[25] In 2014, seven years after their last girl group, SM established Red Velvet, debuting as four-member group with the song "Happiness". After adding a fifth member, they released their debut EP, Ice Cream Cake, in 2015.[26]
In 2016, SM launched what was called "K-pop's most experimental boy group to date", NCT.[27] Growing to a peak of 26 members,[28] NCT is frequently broken into smaller sub-units, each with different concepts.[29] NCT 2018 Empathy (2018) was the group's first release with all members as a full collective under one project.[30] As of June 2024, NCT has sold more than 40 million albums across all sub-units, making them SM Entertainment's best-selling act and one of the best-selling K-pop acts of all time.[31] Aespa, a four-member girl group, debuted in 2020 with the single "Black Mamba", launching along with the SM Culture Universe.[32] The group, which also includes digital avatars of each member, known "ae", is credited with popularizing the metaverse concept in K-pop.[33][34] Aespa's second EP, 2022's Girls, became the biggest-selling debut week for a K-pop girl group, recording over 1,610,000 pre-orders prior to its release.[35] SM's most recent boy group, Riize, was launched in 2023. The band's debut, Get a Guitar, became the second best-selling first week for a debut album in K-pop history, selling over one million copies.[36] In 2025, SM launched a new girl group: Hearts2Hearts, an eight-member girl group that debuted with the single album The Chase.[37]
| Name | Debut year | Debut album | Members | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TVXQ | 2004 | Tri-Angle |
|
[10] |
| Super Junior | 2005 | Twins | [12] | |
| Girls' Generation | 2007 | Girls' Generation | [16] | |
| Shinee | 2008 | Replay | [20] | |
| Exo | 2012 | Mama | [23] | |
| Red Velvet | 2014 | Ice Cream Cake | [26] | |
| NCT | 2016 | NCT 2018 Empathy | [30] | |
| Aespa | 2020 | Savage | [61] | |
| Riize | 2023 | Get a Guitar | [63] | |
| Hearts2Hearts | 2025 | The Chase |
|
[37] |
Sub-units
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SM's artist roster includes several groups known as "sub-units", which are smaller groups spun-off from their main group and functioning as their own independent band.[64] Some sub-units are formed to target specific markets, languages, genres or performance styles not typically explored by the main group,[65] or due to fan demand because of members' shared chemistry.[64] NCT 127, a Seoul-based[66] spin off of NCT, debuted in 2016 with the EP NCT#127.[67] The group has been noted for their intricate choreography[68] and have been dubbed K-pop's "kings of noise music".[69] NCT Dream also debuted in 2016,[70] originally as a dynamic unit with a graduation system where members would leave the group when they turned 20, though this was later removed in 2020 in favor of a fixed lineup.[71] Oh!GG was launched in 2018, a sub-unit of the five members of Girls' Generation who opted to renew their contracts with SM the previous year.[72]
Two sub-units were launched in 2019. WayV, another NCT sub-unit, this time focusing on the Mandarin-speaking market,[73] debuted with The Vision,[74] while Exo-SC, a hip-hop duo spun-off from Exo, made their first appearance with What a Life.[75] Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi released their first EP, Monster, in 2020,[76] with their formation being inspired by a cover of S.E.S.'s "Be Natural"[77] that the duo performed in 2014.[78] NCT DoJaeJung, an R&B-based trio of NCT vocalists, debuted with 2023's Perfume,[79] while NCT Wish, a Japan-based group, debuted in 2024 as NCT's fifth and final sub-unit.[80]
| Name | Spinoff of | Debut year | Debut release | Members | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT U | NCT | 2016 | The 7th Sense | N/a[A] | [82] |
| NCT 127 | NCT#127 | [85] | |||
| NCT Dream | The First |
|
[86] | ||
| Oh!GG | Girls' Generation | 2018 | Lil' Touch | [72] | |
| WayV | NCT | 2019 | The Vision | [74] | |
| Exo-SC | Exo | 2019 | What a Life | [87] | |
| Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi | Red Velvet | 2020 | Monster | [76] | |
| NCT DoJaeJung | NCT | 2023 | Perfume |
|
[88] |
| Super Junior-L.S.S. | Super Junior | Let's Standing Show | [89] | ||
| NCT Wish | NCT | 2024 | Wish |
|
[90] |
| NCT JNJM | 2026 | Both Sides |
|
[91] |
Soloists
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In addition to its groups, SM Entertainment is home to several soloists. While SM's solo roster does include artists that did not originally debut as part of a group, the vast majority of the company's roster of soloists consists of artists who are currently or were previously a member of one of SM's groups. SM's longest-tenured soloist, BoA, debuted in 2000 and has sold more than ten million albums.[92] BoA has become one of South Korea's most influential and prominent singers, being widely referred to as the "Queen of K-pop".[93][94] South Korean rock singer J-Min debuted in Japan in 2007,[95] not releasing her Korean debut until 2014's Shine.[96]
Originating from SM's first idol group, H.O.T.,[7] Kangta debuted as a soloist in 2001 with the album Polaris.[97] He has gone on to become executive producer of Smash Hit, a production team of 20 composers under SM's Kreation Music Rights subsidiary.[98] Taeyeon of Girls' Generation debuted as a soloist in 2015 with the EP I.[99] Having sold over one million albums, Taeyeon was the best-selling female soloist in South Korea for the decade from 2011 to 2021.[100] Often praised for her vocal abilities,[101][102] Taeyeon was selected as the top K-pop vocalist in a 2015 survey of music industry officials.[103] Ryeowook, with his 2016 debut The Little Prince,[104] became the first artist to release under Label SJ, a sub-label established for Super Junior and its members in 2015.[105]
Exo's Kai debuted as a soloist in 2020 with his eponymous EP. Known as one of K-pop's best dancers,[106] Kai has also been labelled a fashion icon,[107][108] being called one of K-pop's biggest fashion influencers.[109] NCT leader[110] Taeyong became the group's first soloist with 2023's Shalala.[111] The EP, which was self-produced and self-written,[110] recorded pre-orders of over 500,000 copies on the day of its release.[112] The following year, fellow NCT members Ten,[113] Lucas,[114] Doyoung,[115] Jaehyun,[116] and Yuta[117] joined Taeyong in debuting as soloists. Former Riize member Seunghan[118] made his solo debut in 2025.
The following tables include all current SM Entertainment artists that have been labelled by SM as having made (or are soon to make) their official debut as a soloist, typically with a full promotional cycle. It does not include artists who have only released digital singles, SM Station songs, or soundtrack songs.
| Name | Debut year | Debut album | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kangta | 2001 | Polaris | [97] |
| Lee Dong-woo | 2013 | 'Smile' Turning to Jazz | [119] |
| Zhou Mi | 2014 | Rewind | [120] |
| U-Know Yunho | 2015 | U Know Y | [121] |
| Max Changmin | Close to You | [122] | |
| Taeyeon | I | [99] | |
| Ryeowook | 2016 | The Little Prince | [104] |
| Yesung | Here I Am | [123] | |
| Hyoyeon | 2018 | Deep | [124] |
| Yuri | The First Scene | [125] | |
| Key | Face | [126] | |
| Yoona | 2019 | A Walk to Remember | [127] |
| Suho | 2020 | Self-Portrait | [128] |
| Kai | Kai | [129] | |
| Joy | 2021 | Hello | [130] |
| Seulgi | 2022 | 28 Reasons | [131] |
| Minho | Chase | [132] | |
| Taeyong | 2023 | Shalala | [111] |
| Doyoung | 2024 | Youth | [115] |
| Jaehyun | J | [116] | |
| Chanyeol | Black Out | [133] | |
| Yuta | Depth | [117] | |
| Irene | Like a Flower | [134] | |
| Min Jiwoon | Pink, then grey | [135][136] | |
| Chenle | 2025 | Lucid[ak] | [138] |
| XngHan | Waste No Time | [118] | |
| Haechan | Taste | [139] | |
| Renjun | 2026 | Echoes Between Us | [140] |
Virtual
Studio artists
Actors
Entertainers
|
Former artists
Groups
| Name | Years active | Debut album | Members | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Blue | 1992–1995; 2009 | 1st The Blue – New Release | [153] | |
| Tin Tin Five | 1993–2010 | Tin-Tin-Five |
|
[154] |
| Major | 1994 | Easy Rock Single 1 |
|
[155][156] |
| J&J | 1994 | Guitar And Dance Single 1 |
|
[4] |
| H.O.T. | 1996–2001; 2018–2019 | We Hate All Kinds of Violence | [157] | |
| S.E.S | 1997–2002; 2016–2017 | I'm Your Girl | [158] | |
| Shinhwa | 1998–present[B] | Haegyeolsa | [160] | |
| Fly to the Sky | 1999–2009; 2014–2019[C] | Day by Day | [162] | |
| Milk[D] | 2001–2003 | With Freshness |
|
[164] |
| Black Beat | 2002–2007 | The First Performance #001 |
|
[165] |
| Shinvi | 2002–2003 | 15 to 30 |
|
[166] |
| Isak N Jiyeon | 2002–2004 | Tell Me Baby | [167] | |
| Trax | 2004–2012; 2015–2019; 2024 | Paradox | [168] | |
| The Grace | 2005–2010 | One More Time, OK? | [169] | |
| f(x) | 2009–2016; 2019 | Nu ABO | [170] |
Sub-units
| Name | Spinoff of | Years active | Debut release | Members | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Junior-T | Super Junior | 2007–2008; 2015 | "Rokkugo" | [171] | |
| Super Junior-M | 2008–2009; 2011–2015 | Me | [172] | ||
| Super Junior-H | 2008 | Cooking? Cooking! | [173] | ||
| Super Junior-D&E | 2011–2015; 2017–present[E] | "Oppa, Oppa" | [175] | ||
| Kim Heechul & Kim Jungmo[F] | Super Junior Trax |
2011–2019 | Cottage Industry | [177] | |
| The Grace – Dana & Sunday | The Grace | 2011 | "One More Chance" | [178] | |
| Exo-K | Exo | 2012–2014 | Mama | [179] | |
| Exo-M | |||||
| Girls' Generation-TTS | Girls' Generation | 2012–2017 | Twinkle | [180] | |
| Exo-CBX | Exo | 2016–present[G] | Hey Mama! | [183] |
Project groups
SM Entertainment has established multiple project groups, which are groups that are usually formed on a temporary basis and for a specific purpose. Project groups typically disband after a short promotional period.[184]
| Name | Years active | Debut release | Members | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 2003; 2014 | Fr. in. Cl | [185] | |
| Kangta & Vanness[H] | 2006 | Scandal | [187] | |
| SM the Ballad | 2010; 2014 | Miss You | [188] | |
| Younique Unit | 2012 | PYL Younique Volume 1 | [189] | |
| SM the Performance | 2012–2013 | "Spectrum" | [190] | |
| Toheart[I] | 2014 | 1st Mini Album | [191] | |
| SuperM[J] | 2019–2021 | SuperM | [193] | |
| Got the Beat | 2022–2023 | Stamp on It | [194] |
Labels-in-company and subsidiaries
Current
Labels-in-company
SM Entertainment has four internal sub-labels that it refers to as "labels-in-company" (LIC).[237] The sub-labels host genres not generally found under SM's main roster, including classical,[238] contemporary R&B,[239] and EDM.[240]
ScreaM Records
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ScreaM Records is an electronic dance music label[240] launched by SM in 2016, marketed as focusing on "performance that you enjoy together", as opposed to "performance that you see and listen to".[241] ScreaM Records roster of in-house DJs currently includes Imlay,[242] DJ Hyo[243] and Raiden,[244] among others. In addition to its in-house DJ roster, ScreaM releases collaborations with non-SM EDM DJs, producers, and artists.[245]
SM Classics
SM Classics is a classical music label established in 2020.[238] Under a memorandum of understanding with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra,[248] the label releases orchestral re-arrangements of SM's K-pop songs.[249] In addition to K-pop rearrangements, the label also releases original compositions.[250]
Krucialize
Krucialize is a R&B label launched by SM in 2024.[239] The label launched its first (and, as of January 2025, only) artist in October 2024 when singer Min Jiwoon debuted with the single "Sentimental Love".[255]
SMArt
SMArt is a music label launched by SM in 2025, led by Kangta as the main producer. According to SM, the label embraces various music genres and "reinterprets K-pop as cultural content". It currently represents Yim Si-wan and former SM trainee Yunee.[256][257]
| Name | Debut year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Yim Si-wan | 2010[as] | [256] |
| Yunee | 2026 | [257] |
Kustomade
Kustomade is a label established by SM subsidiary Kreation Music Rights (KMR) in 2024.[258] It was launched as a successor to independent label 10X Entertainment, which KMR acquired in 2023.[259] Kustomade currently represents artists such as R&B singer Yelo, who debuted on the label in October 2024 with the single "Naked",[260] and former Stray Kids member Kim Woojin, whose April 2024 EP I Like the Way was label's first release.[261]
| Name | Debut year | Debut release | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yelo | 2018 | "Swim in You"[at] | [262] |
| Kim Woojin | 2021 | The Moment: A Minor[au] | [261] |
SM Culture & Contents
SM Culture & Contents (SM C&C) is a travel, production and talent agency owned by SM.[263] The agency was established in April 2012 as part of SM's acquisition of travel agency BT&I.[264] SM C&C entered the talent management industry through its October 2012 acquisition of AM Entertainment,[265] and expanded into television and film production with its 2013 acquisition of Hoon Media.[266] As a talent agency, SM C&C currently manages artists such as actor Yoon Na-moo,[267] actress Bang Min-ah,[268] comedian Kang Ho-dong,[269] and television personality Jang Ye-won.[270]
SM C&C previously owned K-pop agency Woollim Entertainment via a 2013 acquisition,[271] though the company was spun-off in 2016.[272] During this period, Woollim's roster included boy band Infinite,[273] Lovelyz, an eight-member girl group that debuted with 2014's Girls' Invasion,[274] twin duo Tasty,[275] and soloist Joo.[276]
KeyEast
KeyEast is a talent management agency established in 2004 by actor Bae Yong-joon.[277] SM Entertainment acquired a controlling share of KeyEast in 2018.[278][279] The agency's roster currently includes actors Kim Dong-wook[280] and Yoon Jong-hoon,[281] as well as actresses Han Sun-hwa[282] and Stephanie Lee.[283] Artists previously managed by KeyEast include singer and actresses Uhm Jung-hwa[284] and Goo Hara,[285] and actor Ji Soo.[286]
Former
Baljunso
Baljunso is an indie label established in 1991 by music executive Kang Byung-yong.[287] SM Entertainment acquired Baljunso in 2014 with the intent to use the label to revive hip-hop music and bands, which the company stated were considered non-mainstream in K-pop.[288] Artists who have been under Baljunso include hip-hop group Play the Siren, who debuted with the 2014 album Dream Drive,[289] and singer Jang Hye-jin, whose first release under the label was 2015's "Old Photo".[290]
Million Market
Million Market is an entertainment agency focusing on hip-hop and contemporary R&B.[291] The agency became an SM sub-label in 2018 when the company acquired a majority of Million Market's shares.[291] SM divested itself of Million Market in 2023 when the company's shares were acquired by BPM Entertainment.[292] At the time of the agency's acquisition by SM, its artists included singer-songwriter Suran, who released her 2017 debut EP Walkin' on the label,[293] R&B singer-songwriter Chancellor[294] and rapper Penomeco.[295] During its time under SM's control, the agency's roster expanded to include artists such as rapper MC Mong,[296] singer-songwriter Jiselle,[297] and vocal duo 2F.[298]
Million Market artists active during period as SM sub-label (2018–2023)
Mystic Story
Mystic Story is an entertainment agency established in 2011 by singer Yoon Jong-shin.[306] SM Entertainment became the agency's largest shareholder in 2017.[307] Mystic Story's current artist roster includes rock band Daybreak,[308] Lucy, an ensemble formed through JTBC talent show Superband,[309] and Billlie, the agency's first girl group, debuting in 2021 with the EP The Billage of Perception: Chapter One,[310] as well as soloists such as Jeong Jin-woon,[311] Eddy Kim,[312] and Jo Jung-chi.[313]
Under its Mystic Actors division, the agency currently manages actors such as Ryohei Otani,[314] Jo Han-sun,[315] and Kim Kang-min,[316] as well as actresses including Oh Ji-eun,[317] Kim Si-a,[318] and Hwang Bo-reum-byeol.[319]
In August 2025, SM announced, in their semi-annual report, that they have sold all of Mystic Story’s share. [320]
Notes
- Toheart was formed in collaboration with Woollim Entertainment.[191]
- SuperM was formed in collaboration with Capitol Records.[192]
- Lee has been managed by SM Entertainment since 2012.
- Yoo has been managed by SM Entertainment since 2012.
- Ginjo has been managed by ScreaM Records since 2018.
- Raiden has been managed by ScreaM Records since 2019.
- Imlay has been managed by ScreaM Records since 2017.
- Yim Si-wan has been managed by SMArt since 2025
- Yelo's first release under Kustomade was 2024's "Naked".
- Kim Woojin debuted in 2021 under Kustomade's predecessor, 10x Entertainment.[259] Kim's first release under Kustomade was 2024's I Like the Way.