Two-day performance at Gocheok Dome… 40,000 audience
When a hit song comes on, wave a light stick and sing along.
“I hope our music brings comfort to your life”
“At what time did you start listening to our music? “I hope our music brings comfort to your life.”
Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 12th. The voice of first-generation idol SES Bada rang out in the spacious concert hall. At the joint concert ‘SM Town Live 2025’ held to commemorate SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary, Bada read a handwritten letter she had written in advance. Bada, who introduced herself as “Korea’s first female idol,” got emotional and said, “I want to tell you that SES music is not just a popular song from the past, but that we are by your side when you dream.”
The concert, which attracted over 40,000 people over two days on the 11th and 12th, celebrated the 30th anniversary of SM’s founding, and a total of 98 people, including current and former artists and trainees, appeared on stage. From Kangta, BoA, and TVXQ to Aespa, Rise, and NCT WISH, people who have already established themselves in K-pop history have gathered in one place. It was a large-scale project with 59 different performances on the 12th and a running time of about 5 and a half hours.
The best highlight of ‘SM Town Live 2025’ was the meeting of the old and new. Bada, who passionately sang ‘Collecting Dreams’ (SES) alone, performed her SES debut song ‘Dreams Come True’ with 4th generation idols Espa’s Winter and Karina. The SES concept was reproduced exactly, including large-fitting white suit pants and braided bangs, adding to the impression.
Kangta and Tony An also performed HOT’s ‘Candy’ with NCT Dream, exciting the concert hall. He wore face printing on his face and performed humorous dance moves just like he did in the 1990s. Tony said, “SM is almost the same age as HOT, which is celebrating its 29th anniversary this year, and I am happy that I have been able to grow together on stage with SM.” Fly to the Sky Hwanhee also sang the hit song ‘Sea Of Love’ with Rise Sohee in a sweet voice.
As SM is the entertainment company that originated Korean idols, the concert venue was like a museum where you can take a look at the major history of K-pop. ‘Order’ (TVXQ), ‘Sorry Sorry’ (Super Junior), ‘First Snow’ (EXO), ‘Red Flavor’ (Red Velvet), and ‘Whiplash’ (Aespa), there were all songs that were not popular in an era.
SM’s future resources also attracted attention. The first teaser of the rookie eight-member girl group Hearts2Hearts was released for the first time today. Scheduled to debut on the 24th of next month, this is SM’s first girl group in 5 years. Dear Alice, the first group created by SM in collaboration with a British agency, performed their debut song ‘Ariana’, and SMTR25, made up of SM trainees, performed songs by their seniors such as ‘Growl’ (Exo).
However, there was no noise during the preparation process. Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and Red Velvet’s Wendy, who expressed dissatisfaction by saying, “There was a communication error with SM,” did not participate in the performance that day. Fans were also disappointed that EXO, Girls’ Generation, and SHINee did not have a full performance. Above all, the absence of ‘SM (Suman)’ founder and former general producer Lee Soo-man was a shame. Former producer Lee said, “I found out about the invitation through reports,” and “It was only later that I confirmed that the invitation came by registered mail.”
Jeong Min-jae, a popular music critic, said, “The 30 years of SM can be said to be equivalent to the 30 years of K-pop because HOT and SES were the first to change the domestic music industry to this form.” “I hope that he will continue to play a leading role in K-pop,” he said.
Reporter Sa Ji-won [email protected]
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