SM Entertainment

A major first-generation agency that began in 1989 as SM Studio and became SM Entertainment in 1995. It has launched H.O.T., TVXQ!, Girls' Generation, EXO, aespa and others, and Kakao affiliates have been its largest shareholder since 2023.

Founded 1995 Founder Lee Soo-man Official website

Artists who debuted with this company 18

H.O.T. 에이치오티 Gen 1 · Debuted 1996 · Group SM Entertainment Reunited

S.E.S. 에스이에스 Gen 1 · Debuted 1997 · Group SM Entertainment Disbanded

Shinhwa 신화 Gen 1 · Debuted 1998 · Group SM Entertainment On hiatus

Fly to the Sky 플라이 투 더 스카이 Gen 1 · Debuted 1999 · Duo SM Entertainment On hiatus

BoA 보아 Gen 1 · Debuted 2000 · Solo SM Entertainment

TVXQ 동방신기 Gen 2 · Debuted 2003 · Group SM Entertainment

Super Junior 슈퍼주니어 Gen 2 · Debuted 2005 · Group SM Entertainment

Girls' Generation 소녀시대 Gen 2 · Debuted 2007 · Group SM Entertainment

SHINee 샤이니 Gen 2 · Debuted 2008 · Group SM Entertainment

f(x) 에프엑스 Gen 2 · Debuted 2009 · Group SM Entertainment On hiatus

EXO 엑소 Gen 3 · Debuted 2012 · Group SM Entertainment

Red Velvet 레드벨벳 Gen 3 · Debuted 2014 · Group SM Entertainment

NCT 127 엔시티 127 Gen 3 · Debuted 2016 · Group SM Entertainment

NCT DREAM 엔시티 드림 Gen 3 · Debuted 2016 · Group SM Entertainment

aespa 에스파 Gen 4 · Debuted 2020 · Group SM Entertainment

RIIZE 라이즈 Gen 5 · Debuted 2023 · Group SM Entertainment

NCT WISH 엔시티 위시 Gen 5 · Debuted 2024 · Group SM Entertainment

Hearts2Hearts 하츠투하츠 Gen 5 · Debuted 2025 · Group SM Entertainment