How long have you been a K-pop fan? If you witnessed the dawn of the hallyu wave with H.O.T., BoA, and Shinhwa captivating international fans, then prepare yourself! With promising plans and schedule for 2025 concerts and comebacks, SM Entertainment will soon be returning back to its former glory as one of the biggest companies dominating the K-pop scene. So, how does the company plan on getting back on its feet? Join us as we explore closer all the strategies SM has in store!
With Growing Revenue, SM Entertainment Plans to Dominate K-pop in 2025
2025 is just getting started, and the K-content industry is definitely not slowing down! After the recent giant revelation from CJ ENM and Netflix, one of the big 3 K-pop giants, SM Entertainment, has boarded the train with more promising plans and schedule for the K-pop music industry in 2025.
Previously, on February 10, SM Entertainment revealed its reports for last year’s financial performance as well as plans and schedule for comebacks and concerts in 2025.
According to the company’s report, SM has achieved satisfying financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024, reporting a total revenue of 273.8 billion KRW (approximately $205 million) and an operating profit of 33.9 billion KRW ($25.5 million). This means SM earned 9% more than the same time last year, and its profits skyrocketed by 275.6%!
Meanwhile, the company’s net loss shrank to 24.1 billion KRW ($18 million)—less than half of last year’s loss.
Looking at SM’s separate financial results, the company earned 181.8 billion KRW ($136 million) in revenue, with an operating profit of 35.8 billion KRW ($27 million). Compared to 2023, revenue grew by 11%, and profits rose by 83.2%. And the best part is that SM finally turned a profit, recording a net income of 8.3 billion KRW ($6.2 million)!
With these growing revenues, SM Entertainment plans to dominate K-pop with more promising comeback and concerts schedule in 2025!
SM Entertainment 30th Anniversary Concerts and Global Fan Greetings
Firstly, SM Entertainment plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a series of major events and concerts in 2025. With the newly launched slogan, “The Culture, The Future,” the company will be launching a brand film along with a series of celebratory proceedings:
- SMTOWN LIVE Seoul Concert in January 2025 (Successfully Completed)
- SMTOWN Album Release on February 14, 2025 (Commemorating the anniversary)
- K-pop Orchestra Concert ‘SM Classics Live 2025’ on February 14–15, 2025 (Collaboration with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.)
- SMTOWN LIVE Global Tour in Q2 2025
Further in the details, the release date of SM Entertainment 30th anniversary album, “2025 SMTOWN: The Culture, The Future,” will be right on the company’s official anniversary date, February 14, 2025. This album will include 17 songs, featuring the title track “Thank You” and new versions of popular SM Entertainment songs performed by both senior and junior artists.
This album will also release RIIZE-covered TVXQ’s “Hug,” and NCT WISH remade Super Junior’s “Miracle,” which had previously become famous among fans.
Dominating the 2025 K-pop Scene with Promising Debut and Comebacks
With a strong prologue for its 30th anniversary celebration year, SM Entertainment is planning to prepare the stage with promising debuts and comebacks from its new and established artists.
SM Rookies Leading the Charge
Among SM’s most anticipated plans is the debut of Hearts2Hearts, the company’s first new girl group in five years. Set to debut on February 24 with their first single, “The Chase,” the group is expected to showcase a fresh and dynamic concept. Not only that, but the group will also follow up with another single in Q2. With this clear investment from the company, Hearts2Hearts will definitely spearhead the company’s return to glory.
Meanwhile, RIIZE, one of the fastest-growing boy groups in K-pop, will drop their first full-length album. Their rise in popularity has been explosive, especially with the recent achievements in multiple awards. And so, their new music is expected to solidify their place among SM’s top-tier acts.
Similarly, NCT WISH, who earned the title of “Best Rookie” in 2024, will continue their upward momentum with the release of their new mini-album.
Major Comebacks from SM’s Powerful Artists
Along with the rookies, SM Entertainment also plans to bring its most powerful artists to dominate the 2025 K-pop scene with a series of comebacks in Q2:
aespa
Following their three consecutive megahits in 2024, aespa will return with a new mini-album this year. This comeback album promises to push the group’s experimental sound even further.
SHINee
SM’s 2nd generation Prince, SHINee, will be making a long-awaited comeback. They will release a new single, marking their first group activity since its last tour.
WayV
NCT Wish’s senior group WayV will also drop a mini-album, continuing their global promotions alongside their first-ever solo concert tour.
Welcome “SM Rush”: A Wave of Solo & Unit Releases in March 2025
Moreover, SM Entertainment plans to dominate March 2025 with abundant solo and unit releases. Some of SM’s most prominent artists will be stepping into the spotlight with new projects:
- Seulgi (Red Velvet), Ten (NCT), and Naevis will each drop mini-albums or singles, expanding their musical versatility.
- NCT’s Doyoung and Mark, along with EXO’s Kai, are preparing to release solo studio albums in Q2, adding even more variety to SM’s music catalog.
- Red Velvet’s Irene & Seulgi will reunite for a long-awaited unit comeback, releasing their first mini-album in nearly five years since their debut as a duo.
- Super Junior-L.S.S., a new subunit of Super Junior, will release a Japanese single to commemorate the group’s 20th anniversary.
Upcoming Concerts and Global Tours Schedule in 2025
Last but definitely not least, SM Entertainment is expanding its global reach with extensive world tours and concerts in 2025.
- SMTOWN LIVE Global Tour (Q2 2025) – SMTOWN LIVE will visit Mexico, the U.S., and the U.K..
- aespa’s world tour – More expansion into Western markets.
- NCT 127’s world tour – Includes massive performances at Tokyo Dome.
- TVXQ’s Japan nationwide tour — reaffirming their legendary status in Japan.
- WayV’s first solo concert tour — marking a new milestone for the group.
- Asia tours from NCT WISH, Super Junior Yesung, SHINee’s Minho, and Taeyeon.
SM Entertainment is Making a Glorious Return in 2025
Finally, after a series of challenging conflicts and controversies, SM Entertainment is on the path to reclaiming its former glory as one of the biggest forces in K-pop. The company will be dominating the K-pop scene again soon with a strong lineup of group comebacks, exciting debuts, and global tours.
So, are you ready to welcome back one of the most powerful forces in K-pop? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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Source: Bloter, AKP.
