[REVIEW] SM boasts 30 years of K-pop excellence with 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025'

By Pyo Kyung-min

Last weekend, Korea's music scene witnessed why SM Entertainment remains a key player in the K-pop industry.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, SM Entertainment solidified its leading position with an impressive two-day concert at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, one of the largest concert venues in the country.

The "SMTOWN LIVE 2025" concert, an annual tradition for the entertainment giant, brought together an all-star lineup of SM artists to perform for thousands of fans. Often considered a "dream concert" for K-pop enthusiasts, the event showcased the company's crucial role in shaping K-pop culture while offering a glimpse into its future.

Founded in 1995 by Lee Soo-man, the agency is widely credited with laying the foundation of the K-pop industry through its first-generation idols, namely H.O.T., S.E.S. and Shinhwa.

This year's concert was a special tribute to that three-decade journey, featuring performances by veteran artists, current superstars and trainees preparing to debut.

On Sunday, the final night of the concert, SM Entertainment's devoted fans, known as Pink Bloods, filled the dome, its facade proudly showcasing SM's newly revealed 30th anniversary slogan, "THE CULTURE, THE FUTURE."

The crowd, which had gathered hours before the concert began, was as diverse as SM's artist lineup, with fans ranging from longtime followers of first-generation groups from the late 1990s to teenagers whose school years were filled with SM's newer acts.

To mark its grand opening, a video montage showcasing K-pop milestones played on the big screen, reminding attendees of the label's lasting impact on Korea's music industry.

Before the crowd could fully soak in the moment, the venue erupted into cheers as TVXQ! took the stage, setting a powerful tone for the night with their 2005 hit, "Rising Sun." Following them, Super Junior, the iconic multi-member group of the late 2000s, captivated the audience with a performance of "A Man in Love," displaying the band's signature charisma and flawless synchronicity.

While SHINee and EXO performed without all of their members present, the spotlight shifted to SMTR25, a temporary group of trainees representing the next wave of SM stars. Their already confident stage presence and striking visuals wowed the crowd, offering an exciting preview of the label's future.

Next up were SM’s iconic female artists. BoA delivered a standout performance of "Girls on Top" and "Only One," the latter featuring RIIZE member Shotaro. Girl group aespa, one of K-pop's top acts, also wowed the crowd with high-energy performances of "Whiplash" and "Supernova," while virtual artist naevis added a futuristic touch to the show.

The excitement reached its peak when boy bands RIIZE and NCT subunits took the stage. Their performances were met with deafening screams from their loyal fans, solidifying their unmatched popularity even amid an all-star lineup.

A defining feature of "SMTOWN LIVE 2025" was its collaborative stages, uniting SM artists across generations. Kangta and Tony An of first-generation SM boy band H.O.T. joined NCT DREAM for a reimagined rendition of "Candy," which was remade by the boy group in 2022. Bada of S.E.S. teamed up with aespa's Karina and Winter to perform the 1998 S.E.S. hit "Dreams Come True," which aespa reinterpreted in 2021.

"It's heartwarming to perform with such talented juniors," An said. "Thanks to NCT DREAM’s remake, our hit 'Candy' has reached a new generation."

Bada added a personal touch with a heartfelt letter to fans. "S.E.S.' songs are not just old hits but companions for your dreams and courage. May SM's music continue to flow through your lives," she said, getting emotional.

The concert also debuted tracks from SM’s 30th anniversary album, underscoring the label’s enduring legacy and identity through fresh takes on popular songs. Highlights included aespa’s rendition of f(x)'s timeless hit "Rum Pum Pum Pum," RIIZE's take on TVXQ!'s "Hug," Red Velvet’s reprise of "Run Devil Run" and NCT DREAM's reimagining of EXO's "Love Me Right," each offering fans a nostalgic yet fresh experience.

The grand finale of the whopping five-hour show saw all artists unite on stage to perform "Hope from KWANGYA," a heartfelt closing song that celebrated unity and gratitude. As the artists exchanged smiles and waves with the audience, the dome echoed with cheers, as light sticks illuminated the venue in a sea of pure love for K-pop.

With the Seoul concert successfully concluded, "SMTOWN LIVE 2025" is set to embark on a global tour starting May. The tour will make stops in major cities including Mexico City, Los Angeles and Tokyo, with additional cities expected to be added to the lineup.