SM Entertainment To Debut A New Boy Group In 2026
SM Entertainment unveiled its blueprint for a new leap forward, “SM NEXT 3.0,” on the 20th of January, marking a new phase beyond its 30th anniversary.
On this day, SM released two videos via its official YouTube channel and announced a vision to evolve into a “Multi-Creative” system centered on “people” and “artists,” building on the “SM 3.0” system that has taken root over the past three years.
The company also presented key agendas that will lead its future, including IP strategy, business and global strategy, and management and investment strategy. Co-CEOs Jang Cheol Hyuk and Tak Young Joon, along with CAO (Chief A&R Officer) Lee Sung Soo, directly explained the company-wide future direction to shareholders and fans.
Based on the achievements of its existing five multi-production systems, SM declared the introduction of a more advanced “Multi-Creative” system. CEO Tak Young Joon stated, “By placing artists at the center and searching for and assigning the optimal creators, we aim to achieve growth and change at the same time,” adding, “As artists’ worldviews evolve, new artistic languages that match them are required. We will flexibly build creative lineups optimized to each project’s direction and most fully realize artists’ transformations.”
In addition, SM officially confirmed the debut of a new boy group in 2026, explaining, “One boy group is scheduled to debut in 2026. Members of the male trainee team SMTR25 will also be candidates, and they will be gradually introduced through the variety program ‘Reply High School,’ which is planned to be released earlier this year.”
Global local IP strategies were also specified. CEO Tak Young Joon said, “While centering on SM’s creative capabilities, we plan to carry out production and marketing through active collaboration with strong local partners,” adding that “discussions are underway with Tencent Music Entertainment in China, True in Thailand, and multiple partners in Japan.”
Are you excited for SM’s new boy group?
Source: (A)
