SM Entertainment

Infobox Company
company_name = SM Entertainment Co., Ltd.
company_logo =
company_type = Public (KOSDAQ: [http://kosdaq.krx.co.kr/newDisclosure/sub02/center.jsp?code=041510 041510] )
genre =
foundation = February 14, 1995
founder = Lee Soo Man
location_city = flagicon|South Korea Seoul
location_country = South Korea
location =
origins =
key_people = Kim Young Min
"Chief Executive Officer"
Lee Jong In
"Chief Financial Officer"
Lee Soo Man
"Director"
Han Sae Min
"Director"
Nam So Young
"Director"
area_served =
industry = Music & Entertainment
products = Music & Entertainment
services = Music & Entertainment
revenue = ₩19,972,553,346 (as of December 31, 2004)
operating_income =
net_income =
num_employees = 146 (as of March 2007)
parent =
divisions =
subsid = [http://tintinhall.co.kr/ SM TinTin Hall] (2000)
[http://www.smtown.jp SM Entertainment Japan] (2001)
[http://www.sm-academy.com/ SM Academy] (2003)
[http://www.bitwin.co.kr/ SM Pictures] (2007)
SM Amusement
SM F&B Development
SM Entertainment USA (2008)
owner = Lee Soo Man
company_slogan = The Future of culture Technology
homepage = [http://smtown.com Official Site]
dissolved =
footnotes =

S.M. Entertainment is a talent agency, producer, and publisher of Korean pop music, founded by Lee Soo-man. Initially, "SM" was an abbreviation of the agency founder's name, but now stands for "Star Museum". Once the home to top-selling groups such H.O.T., S.E.S., and Shinhwa, some of its current rosters today includes BoA and TVXQ. SM Entertainment also co-publishes Avex Trax releases for Japanese artists such as Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro, and Kumi Koda. SM Entertainment celebrated its ten-year anniversary with a party on February 15, 2006. The company's current CEO is Kim Young-min.

History

The founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo-man, is a graduate of Seoul National University. After graduation and his own activities as a singer, he surveyed teenage girls on what they wanted to see in music groups and started the boy band H.O.T. and girl group S.E.S. Both groups became successful Korean pop groups during the late 1990s. Soon thereafter, Lee created another boy band, Shinhwa, and once again, the band attained the same popularity and success, continuing Lee's streak of successful artists.

However, problems began appearing in SM Entertainment following the breakup of H.O.T. Financial issues were assumed by some to be the problem, but real reasons have never been officially disclosed to the public. In addition, S.E.S. also disbanded a year after H.O.T., and a few years later in 2003 SM Entertainment would see the departure of Shinhwa as well, though the group shifted towards a new management instead of breaking up and continued their success outside of SM Entertainment. In the following years, SM Entertainment saw some of its newer ventures, such as Isak N Jiyeon and Black Beat, fail to reach popularity achieved by earlier SM artists.

The agency later found new successes in acts such as BoA and TVXQ. In addition to marketing to domestic audiences, these two artists have been aggressively promoted in Japan, as part of the company's recent blue ocean strategy to export Korean talent to larger overseas music markets. These artists are also part of SM's joint venture that permits Avex Trax to release SM artists' music in Japan. Conversely, Super Junior and Zhang Liyin have been heavily promoted in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other Chinese-speaking communities, and Super Junior M, who sings in Mandarin Chinese, was created with Chinese-speaking audiences as its primary target.

Major timeline

1990s

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 Kyoha myon Paju Kyungki do' part of Seoul. In October 1998, Kim Kyoung-wook was awarded the position of CEO. In August of 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 "Apgujung dong Kangnam gu", Seoul.

2000s

In early 2000, SM Entertainment agreed to share the split from 5,000 won to 500 per a 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 and Asia agency. 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 won to organize its first joint-venture investment fund on the music industry. 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 Culture Contents for Export award in music. In 2003, it established its affiliation with Starlight Corporation Ltd and was awarded for the best music contents in Korea. In February of 2004, the third-party paid-in capital increased another 271,428 shares. In April of the same year, the head office moved from "Paju, Kyungi" to "Apgujung dong, Kangnam gu", Seoul. A month later, it established its affiliation with C-Cube Entertainment Corporation. In May of 2005, the fourth CEO, Kim Young-min took office. [ [http://www.smtown.com/ir/aboutsm_01.aspx About SM - History of SM] ] Kim Young-min (born April 13, 1970 is a graduate of Korea University majoring in Sociology. In September of 1999, Kim Young-min joined SM Entertainment as a team leader of overseas business and during 2001 to 2005, he was the CEO of Fandango Korea. [ [http://www.smtown.com/ir/aboutsm_02_1.aspx About SM - CEO Profile] ]

Expanding the market

SM Entertainment Japan was established in 2001. SM Entertainment, accompanied by SM Entertainment Japan, is preparing to establish a new headquarters in Beijing, China to compete with the Asian market. [ [http://www.smtown.com/ir/main.aspx About SM - Introduction of SM] ] SM Entertainment will set up its Asian headquarters in Hong Kong to expand its business in the China market. [ [http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200609/kt2006091217212011720.htm SM Entertainment Sets Up Asian HQ in Hong Kong] ] SM Entertainment announced plans of debuting in America with BoA under SM's new subsidiary label SM Entertainment USA on October 21, 2008.

Auditions

During the fall of 2006 and 2007, SM held open casting calls for a variety of types of performers, including singers, dancers, models, and song writers, for ethnic Asians in the North America. Auditions were held in New York City, Chicago, Illinois, San Francisco, California, Los Angeles, California, Seattle and Toronto, Ontario, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Washington, DC. At the end of the year, auditions were held in Asia in Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia.

SM will again hold a Global Audition for 2008. From September 19, 2008 to October 25, 2008. The catergories are the following Singer, Film Actor, TV Actor, Model, Dancer, and Songwriter/Lyricst. The Audtition will be Held in Hawaii, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Orange County, California, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver and Toronto, and more across the Asian Countries.

Roster

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

Current

2000

BoA ( _ko. 보아) debuted at the age of 13 and remains one of the most influential Korean artists. She has successfully entered and exceeded expectations in the Japanese market, quickly rising to the top even in Japan. BoA has extended her contract with SM Entertainment until 2012. She is also a share holder of SM Entertainment. BoA plans to make her American debut under SM's new subsidiary label SM Entertainment USA on October 2008.

2001

Kangta ( _ko. 강타) was the main vocalist of disbanded group, H.O.T., and remained with SM Entertainment after the breakup. He has released solo materials since 2001 to varying degrees of popularity. Kangta is known best for his song, "Polaris". In the past, he has worked with Shin Hye Sung from Shinhwa, and Lee Ji Hoon to produce the project group "S". In May 2006, he sang and toured with Vanness Wu of F4 from Taiwan in order to explore the Asian market. Kangta has also starred in the drama Magic Touch of Fate, a Chinese production. Kangta has also announce that he will be starring in another Chinese drama. [ [http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1432192_11858.html Kangta Lands Role in 2nd Chinese Drama] ] He is also a shareholder of SM Entertainment.

DANA ( _ko. 다나) started out as a solo singer in 2001. Although her first album was a success, her second album released in 2003 went unnoticed. In 2005, Dana joined the four-member a cappella girl group, The Grace. Nonetheless, she has announced that she will still release solo materialFact|date=February 2007.

2003

S is a project group consisting of Kangta, Shin Hyesung from Shinhwa, and Lee Ji-hoon. They released their album entitled "Fr. In. Cl. (Friends In Classic)", with the title song "I Swear". The trio has won many awards for this album.

2004

TVXQ (Hangul: 동방신기; Hanja: 東方神起), or Tohoshinki in Japan, are considered as one of the most popular boy bands in Asia, successfully making up the disbandment of H.O.T. TVXQ's five members are Kim Junsu (Xiah Junsu), Park Yoochun (Micky Yoochun), Kim Jaejoong (Hero Jaejoong), Shim Changmin (Max Changmin), and Jung Yunho (U-know Yunho). They have also gained popularity in Japan with many of their recent singles entering the top of the Oricon Chart.

TRAX ( _ko. 트랙스) started off as a four member rock group consisting of Jay Kim (Typhoon), No Minwoo (Rose), Kang Jungwoo (Attack), and Kim Jungmo (X-mas). In May 2006, Rose officially announced that he had left the band to pursue in other interests. TRAX is also active in Japan.

2005

The Grace (Hangul: 천상지희; Hanja: 天上智喜), or Tenjochiki in Japan, is a four member female group consisting of Stephanie Kim (Stephanie the Grace), Lee Jiyeon (Lina the Grace), Jin Bora (Sunday the Grace), and Hong Sungmi (Dana the Grace). The Grace was formerly known as simply TSZX. They soon became known as TSZX the Grace with the release of their third single before they settled down with their official international title, The Grace. The group is known to be fluent in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and English, and are expected to conquer Asia. Recently, they have received well in Korea with their first album, but have yet to achieve major popularity in Japan.

Super Junior ( _ko. 슈퍼주니어) began as a twelve-member group consisting of Park Jungsu (Leeteuk), Kim Heechul, Han Geng (Hankyung, the first chinese singer to debut in Korean music industry), Kim Jongwoon (Yesung), Kim Youngwoon (Kang-in), Shin Donghee (Shindong), Lee Sungmin, Lee Hyukjae (Eunhyuk), Lee Donghae, Choi Siwon, Kim Ryeowook, and Kim Kibum. Six months later, a thirteenth member was added to the band, Cho Kyuhyun. The group is known for having talented musicians, actors, singers, comedians, models, DJs, and MCs. A subgroup was created in November 2006 under the name Super Junior-K.R.Y., consisting of Yesung, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun. In February 2007, another subgroup, Super Junior-T, was created, with Leeteuk, Heechul, Kang-in, Shindong, Sungmin, and Eunhyuk. Super Junior has recently achieved record success in both Korea and Taiwan after the release of their second album in 2007. The group has also gained popularity in both mainland China and Taiwan with the debut of their third subgroup, Super Junior-M, a sub-unit dedicated to the Chinese market. Super Junior-M has a total of seven members, with Han Geng, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook, Kyuhyun, and with the addition of two new members in the subgroup, Henry Lau and Zhou Mi. In June 2008, the fourth Super Junior subgroup, Super Junior-Happy debuted, with the same members in Super Junior-T, but with Heechul replaced with Yesung.

2006

Kangta & Vanness is a collaboration duo between Korea and Taiwan in 2006. In early 2006, Kangta and Vanness Wu of F4 debuted with their single album "Scandal" at the 2006 MTV Asia Awards in Bangkok, Thailand. Their title single, "Scandal" was recorded in three languages, including English. All other editions and the repackaged single included both Chinese and Korean versions of "127 Days", "Good Vibration", and "One Day".

Zhang Li Yin (zh-ts|t=張力尹|s=张力尹), also known as Jang Ri In ( _ko. 장리인), is the first female Chinese solo singer to debut in the Korean music industry. She has signed with SM Entertainment after placing in the top 10 in China's Singing Competition. She worked with Xiah Junsu from TVXQ to produce her debut single, "Timeless."

2007

Girls' Generation (Hangul: 소녀시대; Hanja: 少女時代) is a nine-member girl group consisting of Lim Yoona, Stephanie Hwang (Tiffany), Kwon Yuri, Kim Hyoyeon, Choi Sooyoung, Seo Juhyun (Seohyun), Kim Taeyeon, Jessica Jung, and Lee Sunkyu (Sunny). The group is known to be multilingual as some members can speak Japanese, Chinese, and English, alongside their native Korean.

2008

SHINee ( _ko. 샤이니), is a five-member boy band consisting of Lee Jinki (Onew), Kim Jonghyun, Lee Taemin, Choi Minho, and Kim Kibum (Key). Unlike previous boy bands produced by SM Entertainment that perform genres that side with K-pop, SHINee is a contemporary band, shooting for a variety of different genres. SHINee debuted with their first album/single "누난 너무 예뻐(Replay)" on May 25, 2008.

Other artists

*Ahyoomee (former Sugar member)In early 2007, Ahyoomee switched to SM Entertainment. She speaks fluent Japanese. [Sports Chosun. [http://sports.chosun.com/news/news.htm?name=/news/entertainment/200702/20070216/72p14005.htm '큐티 하니' 아유미, 亞무대 활동위해 보아 소속사와 계약] ] .
*Isak (former Isak N Jiyeon member)Isak is currently a DJ for a radio station and VJ of Pops in Seoul that airs in ARIRANG.
*Choo Ka Yul (singer/composer)
*Song Kwang Sik (composer)
*Yoo Young Jin (singer/composer)
*Go Ara (actress/model)
*Park Heebon (former M.I.L.K. member, actress/DJ)
*Hyun Jin (former M.I.L.K. member, actress)
*Lee Yeonhee (actress/model)
*Victoria Song (actress/model)Song is the third Chinese artist under SM Entertainment to debut in Korea.

Former

Disbanded

H.O.T. (1996 to 2001) was a five-piece male band which consisted of Moon Hee Jun, Jang Woo Hyuk, Tony An, Kangta, and Lee Jae Won. The group disbanded due to the end of their contract with SM Entertainment. It was also rumored that the group disbanded due to financial reasons, although there was no official reason released to the public why the group has disbanded. Kangta and Moon Hee Jun continued to work under SM Entertainment after the group had disbanded. Moon Hee Jun later left SM and created his own company, PS Entertainment. After the disbandment of H.O.T., Tony An, Jang Woo Hyuk, and Lee Jae Won formed JTL under another agency.

S.E.S. (1997 to 2002) was a female trio which consisted of Bada, Eugene, and Shoo. The group disbanded after their contract expired. However, Shoo continued to work with SM Entertainment until 2006 when she left SM Entertainment to pursue a career in acting. Bada is currently under JIIN Entertainment, while Eugene is under PFull Entertainment. Both Bada and Eugene have pursued a solo music career. Eugene is also moving on to an acting career and as an MC.

M.I.L.K. (2001 to 2003) was a female vocal quartet which consisted of Hyun Jin, Kim Bomi, Bae Yumi, and Park Heebon. The group suffered from low popularity and disbanded after Bae Yumi left. Kim Bomi, Hyun Jin and Park Heebon still remain under SM Entertainment.

Shinvi (Hangul: 신비; Hanja: 神飛) (2002) was a three-piece girl group which consisted of Yoo Soo Jin, Oh Sang Eun, and Yuna. Similar with M.I.L.K, the group suffered from low popularity and disbanded after Yuna's mysterious disappearance in late 2002.

Isak N Jiyeon (Korean: 이삭 N 지연) (2002) was a girl duo which consisted of Ida Dene Simmons (Isak) and Lee Jiyeon. The group suffered from low album sales and popularity. Although the group was never announced to have disbanded, the duo never reunited for a production after Jiyeon joined The Grace and was given a new stage name. (Lina the Grace) However, both are still under SM Entertainment and Isak is currently a DJ for Arirang Radio and VJ for Pops in Seoul.

Black Beat ( _ko. 블랙 비트) (2002 to 2008) is a five-member boy band consisting of Lee Somin, Sim Jaewon, Jang Jinyoung, Hwang Sanghoon, and Jung Jihoon. Black Beat was supposed to make up for the disbandment of H.O.T. Since 2002, they have only released one album and have not been active in their own activities as a group. They can still be in seen active in SMTown vacation albums. However, in SMTown's '06 Winter SMTown album, only three of the members were seen participating in the album. Since 2008 however, they have broken up completely.

Left SM Entertainment

Shinhwa (Hangul: 신화; Hanja: 神話) (1998–2003) moved to a different label, Good!Entertainment when Shinhwa's contract ended with SM Entertainment in 2003. There were rumors that SM wanted to renew their contract with Shinhwa; however, Shinhwa signed a new contract with another label in 2003, becoming the first band to switch labels from SM Entertainment. Their action caused a controversy over whether or not the group could still use their name, Shinhwa, because of its copyrights belonging to SM Entertainment. The argument was taken to court, where Shinhwa won and left the label, keeping their name. Although Shinhwa is still active as a group, Lee Min Woo, Kim Dong Wan, Shin Hye Sung, Andy Lee and Jun Jin have pursued their own solo music careers while Eric Mun is active in the film and television industry. Shinhwa has also achieved success in Japan aside from South Korea.

Fly To The Sky (Korean: 플라이 투 더 스카이) (1999–2004) moved to a different label, PFull Entertainment when their contract ended with SM Entertainment in November 2004. The duo, Brian Joo and Hwanhee released two commercially successful albums with PFull: "Transition" in early 2006 and "No Limitations" in mid-2006. In July 2006, Hwanhee starred in MBC's sitcom "Over The Rainbow". Brian released his first solo album in late 2006. He is also the MC for MBC's "Music Core" and makes many regular guest appearances on variety and game shows.

Moon Hee Jun (Hangul: 문희준; Hanja: 文熙俊) (2001–2004), former member of H.O.T., left SM Entertainment in 2005 to create his own label, PS Entertainment, and released one album. Later that same year, HeeJun left for national service, as is required for every Korean male citizen before the age of 30. He finished his mandatory service on Monday, November 19th, 2007.

References

External links

*ko icon [http://www.smtown.com SM Entertainment Official Site]
*jp icon [http://www.smtown.jp SM Entertainment Japan Official Site]
*jp icon [http://www.avexnet.or.jp Avex Trax Japan Official Site]
*jp icon [http://www.avexnet.or.jp/sm SM Entertainment & Avex Trax Joint-Venture Site]