S.M. Entertainment

Not to be confused with Sony Music Entertainment.

S.M. Entertainment

File:S.M. Entertainment logo.svg
Native name	에스엠 엔터테인먼트 SM 엔터테인먼트
Type	Public
Traded as	KRX: 041510 KRX 100 Component
Industry	Entertainment Travel
Genre	Trot Pop Dance Electropop R&B K-pop
Founded	February 1995
Founder	Lee Soo Man
Headquarters	Seoul, South Korea
Number of locations	Cheongdam-dong, Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Kim YoungMin (CEO)
Services	Entertainment Travel
Revenue	USD 246.1 million 2014 USD 230.4 million 2013 USD 206.9 million 2012
Operating income	USD 29.3 million 2014 USD 35.0 million 2013 USD 51.3 million 2012
Net income	USD 5.1 million 2014 USD 16.1 million 2013 USD 34.2 million 2012
Owner	Lee Soo-Man (21.27%, 2014) National Pension Service (11.05%, 2014)
Number of employees	1,667 (as of March 2013)
Subsidiaries	SM TinTin Hall (2000) SM Entertainment Japan (2001) SM Academy (2003) SM Pictures (2007) SM Amusement SM F&B Development SM Entertainment USA (2008) SM Town Travel (2012) S.M. Culture & Contents (2012, since 2013 including Woollim Entertainment) SM Beijing Label SJ (2015) Galaxia SM (2015)
Slogan	The future of culture technology
Website	Official Website

S.M. Entertainment (Hangul: SM엔터테인먼트, SM stands for Star Music or Soo Man -the label's founder's name) is a South Korean entertainment company, founded by Lee Soo-man. The company operates as a record label, talent agency, travel agency, film production company, music production company, event management and concert production firm as well as a music publishing house. A prominent entertainment company in South Korea, the label is one of the biggest record labels in the K-pop industry.

Once the home to the original Korean idol groups like H.O.T., S.E.S., Fly to the Sky and Shinhwa, the label itself is home to a roster of prominent K-pop recording artists that include BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, f(x), EXO and Red Velvet where all have achieved domestic and international success. The company also manages a number of actors, including Go Ara, Kim Min-jong, Kim Ha-neul, Lee Yeon-hee and Kim Ian, among others. SM Entertainment also co-publishes Avex Trax releases for Japanese artists such as Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro, and Koda Kumi, as well as Johnny's Entertainment acts like Arashi and KAT-TUN.

In 2012, the market capitalization of SM reached ₩1.38 trillion (US$1.24 billion).

History

1990s: First generation groups

After graduating from Seoul National University and pursuing his own career as a singer, Lee Soo-man surveyed teenage girls on what they wanted to see in music groups and started the boy group H.O.T. and girl group S.E.S.. Both groups became successful during the late 1990s. Soon thereafter, Soo-man created Shinhwa, and once again, the band attained popularity and success within the Korean entertainment industry, continuing Soo-man's streak of producing successful artists. In 1999, Soo-man created Korea's first R&B duo, Fly to the Sky, with members Hwanhee and Brian, who were also successful.

In February 1995, SM Entertainment set up its capital fund at ₩50,000,000. In January 1996, SM Entertainment purchased land for a recording site and manufactured its contents for broadcasting companies like KBS, SBS, HBS, KMTV, M-NET. In April 1997, the head office was transferred to the Yadang-ri, Gyoha-myeon, Paju, Gyeonggi-do. In October 1998, Kim Kyung-wook was awarded the position of CEO. In August 1999, a paid-in capital increase of ₩25,000,000 (5,000 shares) and free issue of 225,000 shares (₩112,500,000) occurred. In that same year, SM Entertainment built a branch office in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

However, problems began appearing in SM Entertainment following the breakup of H.O.T. in 2001 and S.E.S. in 2002. In 2003 SM Entertainment also saw the departure of Shinhwa who moved to a new management company. In the following years, some of SM's newer ventures, such as Isak N Jiyeon and Black Beat, failed to attain the popularity achieved by earlier SM artists.

2000s: Second generation and expansion

In early 2000, SM Entertainment agreed to share the split from 5,000 won to 500 won per share. In mid-2000, the company was approved and listed in KOSDAQ as 041510. Late that year, SM Entertainment and Avex Trax signed a contract for music licensing. In December 2000, SM established an affiliation with Fandago Korea. In January 2001, SM Entertainment established an overseas joint-venture corporation as SM Entertainment Japan Co., Ltd. In March of the same year, Kim Kyoung-wook was appointed the company's third CEO. In May of the same year, SM Entertainment spent ₩10 billion to organize its first joint-venture investment fund in the music industry. SM also established subsidiaries BM Entertainment and Cid. K Entertainment for girl groups M.I.L.K. and Shinvi, respectively, but they are now defunct as both groups have disbanded.

In April 2002, an additional 1,341,180 shares was added, and in June 2002, the third-party paid-in capital increased another 61,048 shares. In late-2002, SM Entertainment was awarded the Grand Prix of Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the Culture Contents for Export Award in music. In 2003, it established its affiliation with the Starlight Corporation Ltd. In February 2004, the third-party paid-in capital increased another 271,428 shares. In April of the same year, the head office moved from Paju, Gyeonggi Province to Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. A month later, it established its affiliation with C-Cube Entertainment Corporation.

The agency later found new successes with many other acts. SM Entertainment debuted a solo singer BoA in 2000, a five-member boy group (now a two-member) TVXQ in 2003, a four-member rock band (now a two-member) TRAX in 2004, a four-member girl group The Grace and a twelve-member (originally thirteen, now an eleven-member) boy group Super Junior in 2005, a solo singer of Chinese descent Zhang Liyin in 2006, a solo singer active in Japan J-Min and a nine-member girl group Girls' Generation (now an eight-member) in 2007, another five-member boy group SHINee in 2008, five-member (now a four-member) girl group f(x) in 2009, twelve-member boy group (now a nine-member) EXO in 2012, which is divided into EXO-K and EXO-M for the respective Korean and Chinese markets, and a four-member girl group (now a five-member) Red Velvet in 2014.

In May 2005 Hur Dah-shin became the fourth CEO. In May 2008 the SM Art Company was formed and helmed by Pyo In-bong as co-CEO. It aims to pursue businesses in musicals and theatre business. Its first production was Xanadu starring Super Junior members Heechul and Kangin. In August 2010, Kim young-min took the role of CEO. On October 21, 2008, the company announced plans to debut BoA in the United States under SM's new subsidiary label, SM Entertainment USA.

2010–2011: United Asia Management and joint ventures

In February 2010, founder Lee Soo-man resigned from his position as a member of the board of directors. An official at SM is quoted as saying that Lee had decided to do so in order to "focus more energy on SM's overseas business, new business management and artist development".

In May 2010, SM announced its largest first quarter operating profit of 2010 at ₩10.4 billion, up 471% from the same period in 2009. Its gross revenue from sales from January to March was reported at ₩22.7 billion, up 58% from the year before.

In March 2010, KMP Holdings was established via a joint venture between S.M., YG, JYP, Star Empire, and other companies like Medialine, CAN Entertainment and Music Factory. KMP is the official distributor of releases from these companies. KMP stands for Korean Music Power. The firm's first distributed release from SM was Super Junior's fifth studio album, Mr. Simple and since this release, SM is not self-distributed any longer. However, KT Music eventually acquired KMP in November 2012, and in mid-June 2013, KT Music absorbed KMP's distribution network. Henry's Trap was the last SM release to be distributed by KMP.

In April 2011 SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, KeyEast, AMENT and Star J Entertainment created the ‘United Asia Management‘ agency.

On August 16, 2011, SM has established their first international joint venture with Thai media company TrueVisions Group called "SM True." Kim Youngmin said that the joint venture will help "quickly and more effectively distribute [SM's] contents" and that this will create a "positive synergistic effect."

2012: ENT, S.M.ART EXHIBITION and new contracts

File:SM Entertainment building 2012.JPG

SM Entertainment building in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul in 2012

In February 2012, SM launched new business initiative that specializes in travel and tourism. It acquired Hawaiian travel firm 'Happy Hawaii' and renamed it "SM Town Travel." It is helmed by CEO Kang Jung Hyun and "aims to create synergies" between SM's entertainment product and travel. One of its first products was to offer special concert packages for overseas fans to attend Super Junior's Super Show 4 Tour encore concerts in Seoul in May 2012.

On 26 March 2012, 47 of SM's artists, including Kangta, BoA, TVXQ, CSJH The Grace, Super Junior, Zhang Li Yin, Girls' Generation, SHINee, f(x), Go Ara, Isak and Lee Yeon Hee, became stockholders of SM Entertainment. Kangta, BoA, and most of Super Junior and Girls’ Generation members received 680 shares each (a value of around $27,200 for each person), while SHINee and f(x) members received 340 shares each (a value of around $13,600 for each person).

In 2012 Yoon In Wan, the creator of the popular comic, ‘The Blade of the Phantom Master‘, teamed up with S.M. Entertainment for a new webtoon series titled ‘ENT.’ The webtoon released an illustration featuring Girls' Generation in cartoon form. From August 10–19 SM Entertainment held an IT exhibition, the S.M.ART EXHIBITION at the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center. SM also signed contracts with VISA & KB Card to start printing SM artist debut cards. In 2012 SM Entertainment was also accused of colluding with music distributors, but was cleared of the charge. On August 16, the Seoul High Court revealed their verdict on the issue: “The FTC (Fair Trade Commission) has canceled all corrective orders against SM Entertainment, and the lawsuit costs will be paid by the defendant.”

On 17 August, MC Kang Ho-dong and Shin Dong Yup announced that they have signed exclusive contracts with SM C&C in collaboration with SM Entertainment. With the signing of the two MC's, this is seen as a move by SM to expand into television production outside of the management of singers and actors. On September 19, SM C&C merged with AM Entertainment as part of its strategy to extend into drama and video contents production. AM Entertainment, who represent actors, such as Jang Dong-gun, Kim Ha-neul, Han Ji-min. However Hyun Bin and Shin Min-ah were not included in the merge because both of their respective contract with AM had expired. They have yet to decide while the former was serving mandatory military service and the latter was still filming MBC drama Arang and the Magistrate. On the same day it was announced that they have also signed exclusive contracts with comedians Lee Su-geun and Kim Byung-man of Laws of the Jungle and 1 Night 2 Days fame.

SM also partnered with Design House Inc., producer of magazines “Happy Homes“, “Monthly Design“, “Men’s Health“, and “Luxury,” to create a new magazine called "The Celebrity." “The Celebrity” targets markets in Asia and around the world through mobile contents, on and offline magazines, and other publications.

SM Entertainment’s broadcast sector, SM C&C (Culture and Contents), acquired Hoon Media in 2013. Hoon Media is led by Lee Hoon-hee and is the production company behind popular KBS shows 1 vs 100, Heroines 6, Qualifications of Men, and Music Bank. Hoon Media has also produced other entertainment programs on other cable channels.

2013: Woollim Label and S Cube with Samsung Group

In August 2013, S.M. Entertainment's subsidiary S.M. Culture & Contents (S.M. C&C) and Woollim Entertainment merged. The result was "Woollim Label", which was formed as an independent label within S.M. C&C. The merger is part of S.M. Entertainment's plan to be a major music company.

S.M. stated, "S.M. Entertainment will run Woollim Label's global music distribution and additional businesses while S.M. C&C will take charge of the label's functions. In terms of business structure and scale, we will acquire international competitiveness and will stand as Asia's premier music group which can compete with global major music groups. We will take our place as the first global major music group in Korea."

On September 10, 2013, SME and Samsung publicly signed their agreement for the venture 'S Cube.' As part of the campaign, SME's artists, composers, and producers will take part in an educational program which teaches music and dance to impoverished children around the world. The program will also provide services for multi-cultural families.

2014: Partnership with Baljunso and KT Music stock acquisition

On February 2014, S.M. Entertainment acquired shares in the independent record label Baljunso. Baljunso was founded in 1991 by Kang Byung-yong, former director of CAN Entertainment. Its artists include Kikaflo, Ezen, Shinchon Tigers, HLin, Wasted Johnny's, and Play the Siren. Due to concerns regarding Baljunso partnering with S.M. (which is a major label), Kang Byung-yong said "We will maintain the color of the indie scene and through the support, we will create an environment in which the indie musicians will be able to promote more actively."

In January 2014, the seven talent agencies behind KMP Holdings (S.M. Entertainment, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, Star Empire Entertainment, Media Line, CAN Entertainment and Music Factory Entertainment) formed a collective bond partnership. They bought 13.48% of KT Music's stocks, leaving parent KT Corporation's share with only 49.99%.

2015: Galaxia SM and Label SJ

On August 25, SM Entertainment formed a partnership with IB Worldwide, South Korea's leading sports marketing company, in order to create the next trend in Korean wave - "sportainment" (sports and entertainment). The deal later changed IB Worldwide's name into Galaxia SM. In order to make the deal, Galaxia SM will issue new stock, with 11.1 billion won (around $9.3 million) worth sold to Hyosung Group, IB Worldwide's parent company; while SM Entertainment and SM's chairman Lee Soo-man will purchase stocks worth 11.5 billion won ($9.7 million). To complete the partnership, SM will issue 6.5 billion won ($5.5 million) in stock to be purchased by Galaxia SM.

Galaxia SM represents golfer Park In-bee, gymnast Son Yeon-jae, and Choo Shin-soo, right fielder for the Texas Rangers.

On November 6, Super Junior's 10th anniversary since their debut, SM Entertainment announced that Super Junior would have their own exclusive label management, Label SJ. SM stated, “We established Label SJ to give Super Junior our wholehearted support and an ideal system for managing the group.” Though the new label will be affiliated with SM, it will be independently and wholly responsible for Super Junior’s management, producing their albums, and all group, unit, and individual activities.

Controversies

Contractual dispute with JYJ (TVXQ)

In late July 2009, three of the TVXQ members; Kim Jaejoong (known as Hero), Park Yoochun (known as Micky) and Kim Junsu (known as Xiah), submitted an application to the Seoul Central District Court to determine the validity of their contract with SM Entertainment. Through their lawyers, the members stated that the 13-year contract was excessively long and that the group's earnings were not fairly distributed to the members. Early termination penalty of their contract will cost them 2 times the profit that the group is estimated to earn for the rest of the contract period (over ₩11 billion, or around US$9.2 million). The news was enough to cause SM Entertainment's stock price to drop over 10% on the KOSPI.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favour of the three members. They have claimed that the contract was unfair and the members were left out of proper profit distribution. In response, SM Entertainment called a press conference and claimed that the lawsuit was a fraud, stating that the lawsuit was not about unfair contracts or human rights but a scam motivated by the three members' greed over their cosmetics business. The three members remained silent except to say through their lawyers that they hoped SM Entertainment would respect the court's decision.

In response to the lawsuit, 120,000 members of TVXQ's fan club, Cassiopeia, filed a petition against SM Entertainment's long-term contracts with the Seoul District Court. Cassiopeia also filed for compensation from SM Entertainment for the canceled SM Town Live Concert, as both SM and TVXQ initially stated that the concert would go on as planned; the concert was canceled a week before its scheduled date. It was later announced in early May 2010 that the three members of TVXQ (Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu) will return to the stage as a trio under the management agency C-JeS Entertainment. Their group is called JYJ to represent the first letter of each of their names.

On February 17, 2011, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed SM Entertainment's injunction against JYJ, filed in April 2010, for damage compensation. In September 2012, the final decision on the case was postponed indefinitely by Seoul Central District Court for mediation under the justice department.

On 28 November 2012, during a voluntary arbitration at the Seoul Central District Court, SM Entertainment and JYJ reached a mutual agreement to terminate all contracts between the two parties and not to interfere with each other's activities in the future, concluding the lawsuit. A SM official is quoted as saying, "We made a judgment that we don't have to manage the three members of JYJ any longer as they expressed their intention not to keep their activity as TVXQ" and further added that they have decided to end the litigation "to avoid bringing additional harm to U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, who are active as TVXQ, and to avoid making any more unneeded issues".

Contractual dispute with Han Geng

On December 21, 2009, five months after the three TVXQ members filed their lawsuit, Han Geng of Super Junior also filed one. The following day, Han Geng's lawyer released the reasons for the contract termination: the contract contained provisions in SM Entertainment's favor, the 13-year contract length was unlawful, it would take an unfair sum of money to end the contract, he was not allowed to request to revise his contract, he was forced to do things that were not in his contract, he was forced to do things against his will, he was fined if he disobeyed the company or missed any events or was late, and there was unfair profit distributions within Super Junior. It was also disclosed that because SM Entertainment refused to give him a day off for over two years, Han Geng had developed gastritis and kidney disease.

Han Geng's best friend and now current manager, Sun Le, also submitted a statement to Korean courts citing SM Entertainment's violation of Han Geng's rights. This statement was later leaked to the public via the Internet. Sun Le's statement contended that Han Geng was forced to wear a mask due to SM Entertainment's ill-handling of the visa issue, SM Entertainment purposely discriminated against Han Geng and his family, including financially, SM Entertainment refused to cooperate or listen to any of Han Geng's suggestions, SM Entertainment purposely turned down individual activities for Han Geng (including Ariel Lin's "Firefly" music video, which later starred two other Super Junior members) and SM Entertainment had treated Han Geng's potential endorsers poorly.

On September 27, 2011, Han Geng's departure from Super Junior was made official when legal representatives of both Han Geng and S.M. Entertainment released a joint statement saying that, "Han Geng and S.M. Entertainment have amicably settled on a mutual agreement, and the lawsuit was able to come to a close after Han Geng submitted his 'Notice of Withdrawal of Appeal'."

Fair Trade Commission Revisions

In 2010 the Korean Fair Trade Commission undertook an investigation into SM policy, especially regarding their artists' contract terms, and concluded that they were "unfair." Current artist contracts were reduced by a length of three years and there was a reduction in the penalties for breach-of-contract violations. All their then-current artists re-contracted with the agency under the new terms, which were acknowledged by the FTC to be fair.

2009–2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards boycott

SM Entertainment boycotted the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards event on November 21. SM stated that they had reservations regarding the standard of fairness and the criteria used in Mnet's selections for the recipients of the awards. SM specifically cited the case of Girls' Generation in which their song had topped Korean music charts for nine consecutive weeks and had won numerous weekly music show awards from SBS's Inkigayo and KBS's Music Bank, but had never won on Mnet's weekly M! Countdown show and had only debuted on their charts a month after the album's released. SM also cited the fact that participants who wished to vote for the various Mnet awards had to pay a fee to do so and said they did "not want to see fans suffer any damage from the poll which has commercial intentions."

2011: S.M.'s role in the price rigging scheme

S.M. was one of the 15 companies fined and sued by the Korean FTC for price rigging in 2011.

Contractual dispute with Kris Wu

On May 15, 2014, almost five years after Han Geng filed his case against SM Entertainment, Kris of EXO filed a lawsuit to terminate his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment. It was first reported on Chinese news portal Sina and then by Korean news organizations. The lawyer Cho Bum Suk, the same lawyer who handled Han Geng's case, will be representing Kris.

Red Velvet music video controversy

After the release of the Red Velvet's music video for the song "Happiness," Japanese media reported that images referencing the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as the tragic 9/11 attacks, were seen in the video. SM Entertainment responded to the reports, explaining, "after questioning the director, we found that he simply used a collage source for the images, and there was no intention behind it." The representative added, "As SM wasn't able to catch it before, we will remove the material that caused the misunderstanding as soon as possible. We will make sure not to let this kind of thing happen in the future." SM Entertainment later uploaded a new version of the music video without the referencing images.

Jessica's sudden departure from Girls' Generation

On September 30, 2014, S.M. Entertainment announced that Jessica of Girls' Generation had officially been removed from the group, stating that she left to focus on solo activities and entrepreneurial endeavours. However, Jessica claimed on a Weibo post that she had been forced out of the group. S.M. Entertainment confirmed Jessica's departure again after the Girls' Generation fan meeting in Shenzhen, China.

The following day, Jessica released a statement claiming that, in August, S.M. Entertainment and the Girls' Generation members were happy about her business launch, a fashion line called Blanc and Eclare. However, in early September, Jessica alleges that the other members had changed their stance and told her to either end her business or cease promotions as a member of Girls' Generation. On September 29, she claimed she had been given a "one-sided notice" asking her to leave the group. From September 29 to October 1, the company had lost a total of 69 billion Won (approximately 65 million USD) as stocks had dropped by 3,350 won per share, from 40,750 to 37,400 won, following the announcement.

Contractual dispute with Lu Han

On October 10, 2014, Lu Han of EXO filed a lawsuit to nullify his exclusive contract with the company. Within 15 minutes after the announcement, S.M. stocks had dropped by 9.41%, from 37,000 Won to 33,250 Won per share. The stock's worth contracted by 15%, hitting the maximum decrease in price KOSDAQ allows for a day, and falling to a more-than-one-year low.

Contractual dispute with No Min-woo

In April, 2015 No Min-woo a former member of TRAX filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment for subjecting him to an unlawful, 17-year contract. No alleges that in addition to subjecting to him to an unlawful contract, SM Entertainment interfered with his career once he had left the company. No is seeking 100 million KWR in damages.

Contractual dispute with Tao

On August 24, 2015, Tao of EXO filed a lawsuit to terminate his exclusive contract with the company. Tao filed the lawsuit using the same legal team that is currently representing Kris and Luhan, who were also former members of EXO. S.M Entertainment responded to his legal actions by stating: "Our company plans to use everything in our power including both Korean and Chinese legal professionals and partners to respond legally both in Korea and China in a multi-faceted manner. We also plan to take legal steps to respond to Tao's illegal promotions and actions."

On January 5, 2016 S.M Entertainment released a statement stating that they have won their lawsuit of return of advance payment against Tao, however the lawsuit of the termination of his contract is still on-going. Not long after the statement was released, Tao's party released a statement that the win was fake and S.M lied about the win. The statement S.M released was based on a trial results, making the statement not legally effective. Also, Tao's studio already asked S.M for their bank account several times, but S.M has yet to give any response to Tao's emails.

SMTown

SMTown, which started in 1999, is the project name for SM Entertainment's summer and winter vacation albums. SMTown albums consist of current SM Entertainment artists. Each SMTown album consists of one SMTown song and a song from each artist or group.

Recording artists

Groups

• TVXQ (Hiatus)
• TRAX (Inactive)
• The Grace (Inactive)
• Super Junior
• Girls' Generation
• SHINee
• f(x)
• EXO
• Red Velvet

Soloists

• BoA
• Kangta
• Dana (Inactive)
• Chu Ga-yeoul (Inactive)
• Sunday (Inactive)
• Zhang Liyin
• Iconiq (Inactive)
• J-Min
• Henry
• Taemin
• Zhou Mi
• Kyuhyun
• Jonghyun
• Amber
• U-Know Yunho (Hiatus)
• Taeyeon
• Max Changmin (Hiatus)

Sub-units/Project group

• EXO-K
• EXO-M
• Girls' Generation-TTS
• The Grace-Dana & Sunday (Inactive)
• Kangta & Vanness (Inactive)
• M&D (Heechul of Super Junior, Jungmo of TRAX)
• S (Inactive)
• S.M. The Ballad (Inactive)
• S.M. The Performance (Inactive)
• Super Junior-Donghae & Eunhyuk (Hiatus)
• Super Junior-Happy (Inactive)
• Super Junior-K.R.Y.
• Super Junior-M (Hiatus)
• Super Junior-T (Inactive)
• The Blue (Son Ji-chang, Kim Min-jong) (Inactive)
• TOHEART (Inactive)
• Younique Unit (Inactive)
• Beat Burger (Inactive)

• ¹Kangta originally debuted as a member of H.O.T. in 1996. He released his first solo album after the group disbanded in 2001.
• ²Dana originally debuted as a solo artist in 2001. She later became a member of The Grace in 2005.
• ³Sunday originally debuted as a solo artist in 2004. She later became a member of The Grace in 2005.
• ⁴Iconiq originally debuted in 2002 under Starworld Korea transferred to S.M. Entertainment in 2007 .
• ⁵Henry originally debuted as a member of Super Junior's sub-unit Super Junior-M in 2008. He made his debut as a solo artist in 2013.
• ⁶Taemin originally debuted as a member of SHINee in 2008. He made his debut as a solo artist in 2014.
• ⁷Beat Burger was originally formed in 2009 as a choreography team for S.M.artists. In September 2014, the team released their first digital EP, Electric Dream. Two members of Beat Burger, Gregory Hwang and Shim Jae-won, originally debuted as members of Black Beat in 2002.
• ⁸Zhou Mi originally debuted as a member of Super Junior's sub-unit Super Junior-M in 2008. He made his debut as a solo artist in 2014.
• ⁹Kyuhyun originally debuted as a member of Super Junior in 2006. He made his debut as a solo artist in 2014.
• ¹⁰Jonghyun originally debuted as a member of SHINee in 2008. He made his debut as a solo artist in 2015.
• ¹¹Amber originally debuted as a member of f(x) in 2009. She made her debut as a solo artist in 2015.
• ¹²U-Know Yunho originally debuted as a member of TVXQ in 2003. He made his debut as a solo artist in 2015.
• ¹³Taeyeon originally debuted as a member of Girls' Generation in 2007. She made her debut as a solo artist in 2015.
• ¹⁴Changmin originally debuted as a member of TVXQ in 2003. He made his debut as a solo artist in 2015.

Actors/Actress

• Ahn Chilhyun (Kangta)
• Byun Baekhyun (EXO)
• Cho Kyuhyun (Super Junior)
• Choi Jinri (Sulli)
• Choi Jong Yoon
• Choi Minho (SHINee)
• Choi Siwon (Super Junior)
• Choi Sooyoung (Girls' Generation)
• Do Kyungsoo (D.O. from EXO)
• Go Ara
• Henry Lau (Super Junior-M)
• Im Yoona (Girls' Generation)
• Jin Bo-ra (Sunday from The Grace)
• Jung Yunho (TVXQ)
• Kim Heechul (Super Junior)
• Kim Ian
• Kim Junmyun (Suho from EXO)
• Kim Jongwoon (Yesung from Super junior)
• Kim Kibum (Key from SHINee)
• Kim Min-jong
• Kim Minseok (Xiumin from EXO)
• Kim Ryeowook (Super junior)
• Kim Taeyeon (Girls' Generation)
• Kim Youngwoon (Kangin from Super Junior)
• Krystal Jung (f(x))
• Kwon BoA
• Kwon Yuri (Girls' Generation)
• Lee Donghae (Super Junior)
• Lee Jae-ryong
• Lee Ji-yeon (Lina from The Grace)
• Oh Jimin (J-Min)
• Lee Jinki (Onew from SHINee)
• Lee Sungmin (Super Junior)
• Lee Sunkyu (Sunny from Girls' Generation)
• Lee Taemin (SHINee)
• Lee Yeon-hee
• Park Chanyeol (EXO)
• Park Sunyoung (Luna from f(x))
• Seo Juhyun (Seohyun from Girls' Generation)
• Shim Changmin (TVXQ)
• Song Qian (Victoria from f(x))
• Yoo Ho-jeong
• Yoon Da-hoon
• Yoon So-hee
• Zhang Yixing (Lay from EXO)
• Zhou Mi (Super Junior-M)

Entertainers

• Park Myeong-Su

Studio artists

Composers

• Lee Soo-man (executive)
• Yoo Young-jin
• Kenzie
• Young-hu Kim
• Song Kwang-sik
• Kangta
• Park Su Hyun (Evans Hyun)
• Hitchhiker
• Team Onesound (Lee Dong Hae, Peter, Young Sky & Jinoo)
• Noize Bank (Henry Lau, Gen Neo, Neil Nallas, and Isaac Han)

Korean lyricists

• BoA
• Chen (EXO)
• Choi Minho (SHINee)
• Choi Siwon (Super Junior)
• Choi Soo-young (Girls' Generation)
• Chu Ga-yeoul
• Dana (The Grace)
• Eunhyuk (Super Junior)
• Jung Yunho (TVXQ)
• J-Min
• Kangta
• Kenzie
• Key (SHINee)
• Jay Kim (TRAX)
• Kim Bu-min
• Kim Heechul (Super Junior)
• Kim Jonghyun (SHINee)
• Kim Jungmo (TRAX)
• Kim Taeyeon (Girls' Generation)
• Kwon Yuri (Girls' Generation)
• Lee Donghae (Super Junior)
• Leeteuk (Super Junior)
• Misfit
• Onew (SHINee)
• Park Chanyeol (EXO)
• Seo Ji-eum
• Seohyun (Girls' Generation)
• Sunny (Girls' Generation)
• Shim Changmin (TVXQ)
• Young-hu Kim
• Yoo Young-jin

Chinese lyricists

• Lay (EXO)
• Liu Yuan
• Wang Yajun
• Zhang Liyin
• Zhou Mi (Super Junior-M)
• Zhou Weijie

Singer-songwriters

• Amber (f(x))
• BoA
• Chen (EXO)
• Cho Kyuhyun (Super Junior)
• Choi Minho (SHINee)
• Choi Siwon (Super Junior)
• Choi Sooyoung (Girls' Generation)
• Chu Ga-yeoul
• Dana (The Grace)
• Eunhyuk (Super Junior)
• Henry (Super Junior-M)
• Jung Yunho (TVXQ)
• J-Min
• Jay Kim (TRAX)
• Key (SHINee)
• Kim Heechul (Super Junior)
• Kim Jonghyun (SHINee)
• Kim Jungmo (TRAX)
• Kim Ryeowook (Super Junior)
• Kim Taeyeon (Girls' Generation)
• Kwon Yuri (Girls' Generation)
• Lay (EXO)
• Lee Donghae (Super Junior)
• Leeteuk (Super Junior)
• Lee Sunkyu (Sunny from Girls' Generation)
• Onew (SHINee)
• Lee Sung Min (Super Junior)
• Park Chanyeol (EXO)
• Shim Changmin (TVXQ)
• Seohyun (Girls' Generation)
• Tiffany (Girls' Generation)
• Zhang Liyin
• Zhou Mi (Super Junior-M)

Choreographers

• Gregory Hwang (Performance Director)
• Shim Jae-won (Performance Director)
• Rino Nakasone
• Mihawk Back

Pianists

• Song Kwang-sik

S.M. Rookies

S.M Rookies is a pre-debut team of S.M. trainees who are under the training of S.M. Entertainment and have been launched publicly through various promotional materials and activities.

• Taeil (1994)
• Hansol (1994)
• Johnny (1995)
• Taeyong (1995)
• Yuta (1995)
• Kun (1996)
• Doyoung ((1996)
• Ten (1996)
• Jaehyun (1997)
• Winwin (1997)
• Mark (1999)
• Jeno (2000)
• Donghyuck (2000)
• Jaemin (2000)
• Jisung (2001)
• Park Jung Yeon (1997)
• Koeun (1999)
• Hina (2000)
• Herin (2002)
• Lami (2003)

Former SMTown artists

Former singers

• Hyun Jin-young (1990–1993)
• Han Dong-joon (1991–1992)
• Kim Kwang-jin (1991–1992)
• Major (Seo Yeon-soo and Im Bum-jun, 1994)
• J&J (Jay Kim and Jay Kang, 1994)
• H.O.T. (1996–2001)
• S.E.S. (1997–2002)
• Shinhwa (1998–2003)
• Fly to the Sky (1999–2004)
• Jang Na-ra (2001–2008)
• M.I.L.K (2001–2003)
• Black Beat (2002–2007)
• Shinvi (2002–2003)
• Isak 'N' Jiyeon (2002–2004)
• Kim Jae-joong (2003–2009)
• Park Yoochun (2003–2009)
• Kim Junsu (2003–2009)
• Kang Jung-woo (2004–2006)
• No Min-woo (2004–2009)
• Han Geng (2005–2009)
• Jessica (2007–2015)
• Kim Kibum (2004–2015)

• ¹After H.O.T. disbanded in 2001, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony An and Lee Jae-won left S.M. Entertainment to form the trio jtL. Moon Hee-jun and Kangta remained as solo artists. In 2005, Moon parted with S.M. Entertainment.
• ²After Isak N Jiyeon disbanded in 2004, Jiyeon took the stage name of Lina and became a member of The Grace, formed in 2005. Isak became a VJ and radio DJ for Arirang. She left S.M. Entertainment in 2012.
• ³Kim Jae-joong (as Hero Jaejoong), Park Yoochun (as Micky Yoochun), and Kim Junsu (as Xiah Junsu) debuted in 2003 as members of TVXQ. In 2009, the three filed an injunction against S.M. Entertainment, subsequently leaving TVXQ. In 2010, the trio formed JYJ.
• ⁴No Min-woo (as Rose) and Kang Jung-woo (as Attack) debuted as members of TRAX in 2004.
• ⁵Han Geng debuted in 2005 as a member of Super Junior. He left the group in 2009 after filing for contract termination.
• ⁶Jessica debuted in 2007 as a member of Girls' Generation. She left the group in September 2014 to pursue individual activities. In August 2015, it was announced that she had officially parted ways with S.M. Entertainment.
• ⁷Kibum debuted in 2005 as a member of Super Junior. He temporary left the group in 2009 to pursue acting career. In August 2015, it was announced that he had officially parted ways with S.M. Entertainment.

Notable former trainees

• Timoteo (HOTSHOT)
• Lee Jun-ki (Namoo Actors)
• Lee Hyori (solo singer, Fin.K.L)
• Heo Youngsaeng (SS501, solo singer)
• Park Jungmin (SS501)
• Park Gyuri (Kara)
• Lee Hwan-hee (solo singer)
• Hwang Bora (actress)
• Sol Bi (solo singer)
• G-Dragon (Big Bang)
• Lee Jong-suk (actor)
• Zico (Block B)
• Soyeon (T-ara)
• Heo Chan-mi (Coed School, 5Dolls and Produce 101)
• Hyunyoung (Rainbow)
• Go Woori (Rainbow)
• Raina (After School, Orange Caramel)
• Kahi (former member of After School, solo singer)
• Song Dahye (Bestie)
• Kwon Soon-Il (Urban Zakapa)
• Gong Seungyeon (actress)
• K.Shin (CHITWN Music)
• Gayoon (4minute)
• Yua (유아) (1998) (left in 2011)
• Kim Yejin (1993)
• Dal Jihyun (1989)
• Cho Ying Teo (1993)
• Cheng Xiao (WJSN/Cosmic Girls)
• Kim Jiyeon (Bona) (WJSN/Cosmic Girls)
• Lee Luda (WJSN/Cosmic Girls)

Discography

Main article: SM Entertainment discography

Filmography

• Attack on the Pin-Up Boys (2007)
• Heading to the Ground (2009)
• Paradise Ranch (2011)
• I AM. (2012)
• To The Beautiful You (2012)
• Prime Minister and I (2013)
• Miss Korea (2013–2014)
• Mimi (2014)
• SMTown The Stage (2015)
• D-Day (2015)

Partnership

As of June 2014:

• Fandango Korea
• Avex Entertainment
• EMI Records (formerly Nayutawave Records) (Girls' Generation, J-Min, Shinee)
• J Storm
• TrueVisions Group
• Kraze Burger (Japan only)
• YinYueTai
• Kakao Inc.
• 9tunEs Entertainment
• Baljunso

Distributing labels

South Korea

• Seorabul Records (1995–1998)
• Synnara Records (1998–2003)
• IKPop Co., Ltd. (2003–2008)
• Self-distributed (2008–2011)
• KMP Holdings (2011–2013)
• KT Music (2013–present)

Japan

• Avex Group [BoA, Tohoshinki, Super Junior, f(x), EXO] (2000–present)
• VAP (1998–2000) (S.E.S)
• Universal Music (Girls' Generation, J-Min, SHINee) (2010–present)
• EMI Music Japan (SHINee) (2011–2013) (merged into Universal Music)

Taiwan

• Avex Taiwan
• Universal Music (Girls' Generation) (2010–present)

Malaysia/Singapore

• Universal Music
• Warner Music (Japanese releases of SHINee) (2010–2013) (as licensee of EMI Music Malaysia)

Indonesia

• Indo Semar Sakti
• Universal Music (Girls' Generation, Japanese releases of SHINee)
• Warner Music (SHINee) (2012–2013) (as licensee of EMI Music; Japanese releases only)

Philippines

• Universal Records (as licensee of Avex Group) (until 2014)
• MCA Music (Girls' Generation, Japanese releases of SHINee) (2010–present)
• PolyEast Records (Japanese releases of SHINee) (2010–2013)

Thailand

• GMM International (as licensee of Avex Group) (until 2011)
• SM True (2011–present)

China and Hong Kong

• Sky Music
• Avex Hong Kong
• Media Asia Music (Super Junior) (2012–present)
• Universal Music (Girls' Generation, Japanese releases of SHINee) (2010–present)
• Warner Music (Japanese releases of SHINee) (2010–2013) (as licensee of EMI)

External links

• Official website
• S.M. Entertainment's channel on YouTube