Agency

SM Entertainment Co., Ltd.

에스엠엔터테인먼트 / SM

SM Entertainment is a South Korean multinational entertainment company founded by Lee Soo-man on February 14, 1995 (its predecessor SM Studio dates to 1989). One of Korea's "Big 4" agencies, it systematized the K-pop idol training and production model and manages artists including Girls' Generation, aespa, TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, RIIZE and Hearts2Hearts. Listed on the KOSDAQ since 2000, its largest shareholder has been Kakao since March 2023.

  • Agency
  • Record Label
  • Music Publisher
  • Production Company
  • Parent Company

Overview

SM Entertainment is one of South Korea’s “Big 4” entertainment companies, founded by producer Lee Soo-man in 1995. A pioneer of the modern K-pop training and production system, it launched era-defining acts from H.O.T. and BoA to Girls’ Generation, EXO, NCT and aespa, and in 2000 became the first Korean entertainment company listed on the KOSDAQ.

Headquartered in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, the company entered its “SM 3.0” multi-production-center era in 2023 after a high-profile takeover battle between HYBE and Kakao ended with Kakao as its largest shareholder and founder Lee Soo-man’s departure.

Timeline

SM Entertainment founded Lee Soo-man establishes SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Seoul, succeeding his 1989 company SM Studio.
February 14, 1995
KOSDAQ listing SM becomes the first Korean entertainment company to list on the KOSDAQ stock market (ticker 041510).
April 27, 2000
Girls' Generation debut SM debuts Girls' Generation, which becomes one of the best-selling and most influential K-pop girl groups.
August 5, 2007
aespa debut SM launches aespa, a girl group pairing four members with virtual avatar counterparts, spearheading its metaverse-driven "SM Culture Universe" concept.
November 17, 2020
"SM 3.0" era announced SM unveils its "SM 3.0" strategy, replacing founder Lee Soo-man's single-producer system with multiple in-house production centers.
February 3, 2023
Kakao becomes largest shareholder Kakao completes its tender offer and, with Kakao Entertainment, becomes SM's largest shareholder, ending the month-long takeover battle with HYBE, which sold down its stake.
March 28, 2023

Facts

SM was the first Korean entertainment company to be listed on the KOSDAQ stock market, in April 2000, under ticker 041510.
July 4, 2026
After the 2023 takeover battle with HYBE, Kakao and Kakao Entertainment together hold roughly 40% of SM Entertainment, making the Kakao group its controlling shareholder.
July 4, 2026
SM's roster spans every K-pop generation, including TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, aespa, RIIZE and Hearts2Hearts, plus soloists such as BoA.
July 4, 2026
Founder Lee Soo-man built SM around a systematic casting, training and production model — often credited as the blueprint of the modern K-pop idol industry — before exiting the company in 2023.
July 4, 2026

Notable Events

HYBE acquires Lee Soo-man's stake HYBE agrees to buy founder Lee Soo-man's 14.8% stake in SM, opening a takeover contest against Kakao for control of the company.
February 8, 2023
Kakao wins the SM takeover battle Kakao completes its tender offer for SM shares and becomes the largest shareholder; HYBE withdraws from the bidding and sells down its stake, keeping only platform cooperation with SM.
March 28, 2023