![[REVIEW] SM boasts 30 years of K-pop excellence with 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' 3 H.O.T. members Kangta and Tony An, second row right and left, respectively, perform 'Candy' alongside K-pop boy band NCT DREAM during the 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' concert, at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. NCT DREAM released a remake of the 1996 hit song by H.O.T. in 2022, continuing SM Entertainment's legacy. Courtesy of SM Entertainment](https://newsimg.koreatimes.co.kr/2025/01/13/4e283528-5f64-4657-bcd0-cc435cf72dfc.jpg)
H.O.T. members Kangta and Tony An, second row proper and left, respectively, carry out „Sweet“ alongside Ok-pop boy band NCT DREAM in the course of the „SMTOWN LIVE 2025“ live performance, on the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. NCT DREAM launched a remake of the 1996 hit tune by H.O.T. in 2022, persevering with SM Leisure’s legacy. Courtesy of SM Leisure
Final weekend, Korea’s music scene witnessed why SM Leisure stays a key participant within the Ok-pop trade.
Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, SM Leisure solidified its main place with a powerful two-day live performance on the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, one of many largest live performance venues within the nation.
The „SMTOWN LIVE 2025“ live performance, an annual custom for the leisure big, introduced collectively an all-star lineup of SM artists to carry out for hundreds of followers. Typically thought-about a „dream live performance“ for Ok-pop lovers, the occasion showcased the corporate’s essential function in shaping Ok-pop tradition whereas providing a glimpse into its future.
Based in 1995 by Lee Soo-man, the company is extensively credited with laying the inspiration of the Ok-pop trade by its first-generation idols, particularly H.O.T., S.E.S. and Shinhwa.
This yr’s live performance was a particular tribute to that three-decade journey, that includes performances by veteran artists, present superstars and trainees making ready to debut.
![[REVIEW] SM boasts 30 years of K-pop excellence with 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' 4 Rookie K-pop boy group RIIZE performs during the 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' concert at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment](https://newsimg.koreatimes.co.kr/2025/01/13/8628c03e-1374-4130-9c90-ce188bcb9e81.jpg)
Rookie Ok-pop boy group RIIZE performs in the course of the „SMTOWN LIVE 2025“ live performance on the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM Leisure
On Sunday, the ultimate evening of the live performance, SM Leisure’s devoted followers, referred to as Pink Bloods, crammed the dome, its facade proudly showcasing SM’s newly revealed thirtieth anniversary slogan, „THE CULTURE, THE FUTURE.“
The gang, which had gathered hours earlier than the live performance started, was as numerous as SM’s artist lineup, with followers starting from longtime followers of first-generation teams from the late Nineties to youngsters whose faculty years have been full of SM’s newer acts.
To mark its grand opening, a video montage showcasing Ok-pop milestones performed on the large display screen, reminding attendees of the label’s lasting affect on Korea’s music trade.
Earlier than the group might totally soak within the second, the venue erupted into cheers as TVXQ! took the stage, setting a strong tone for the evening with their 2005 hit, „Rising Solar.“ Following them, Tremendous Junior, the long-lasting multi-member group of the late 2000s, captivated the viewers with a efficiency of „A Man in Love,“ displaying the band’s signature charisma and flawless synchronicity.
![[REVIEW] SM boasts 30 years of K-pop excellence with 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' 5 Male stars of SM Entertainment present a joint performance during the 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' concert, at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment](https://newsimg.koreatimes.co.kr/2025/01/13/9300a98a-5c4d-4bc5-8eb5-5c75dc5724a0.jpg)
Male stars of SM Leisure current a joint efficiency in the course of the „SMTOWN LIVE 2025“ live performance, on the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM Leisure
Whereas SHINee and EXO carried out with out all of their members current, the highlight shifted to SMTR25, a short lived group of trainees representing the following wave of SM stars. Their already assured stage presence and hanging visuals wowed the group, providing an thrilling preview of the label’s future.
Subsequent up have been SM’s iconic feminine artists. BoA delivered a standout efficiency of „Ladies on Prime“ and „Solely One,“ the latter that includes RIIZE member Shotaro. Woman group aespa, certainly one of Ok-pop’s prime acts, additionally wowed the group with high-energy performances of „Whiplash“ and „Supernova,“ whereas digital artist naevis added a futuristic contact to the present.
The thrill reached its peak when boy bands RIIZE and NCT subunits took the stage. Their performances have been met with deafening screams from their loyal followers, solidifying their unmatched reputation even amid an all-star lineup.
![[REVIEW] SM boasts 30 years of K-pop excellence with 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' 6 From left are aespa's Winter, S.E.S.' Bada and aespa's Karina, during their collaborative performance at the 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' concert, at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment](https://newsimg.koreatimes.co.kr/2025/01/13/d3132ab2-33ab-401f-82c2-fe383c929751.jpg)
From left are aespa’s Winter, S.E.S.‘ Bada and aespa’s Karina, throughout their collaborative efficiency on the „SMTOWN LIVE 2025“ live performance, on the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM Leisure
A defining characteristic of „SMTOWN LIVE 2025“ was its collaborative levels, uniting SM artists throughout generations. Kangta and Tony An of first-generation SM boy band H.O.T. joined NCT DREAM for a reimagined rendition of „Sweet,“ which was remade by the boy group in 2022. Bada of S.E.S. teamed up with aespa’s Karina and Winter to carry out the 1998 S.E.S. hit „Desires Come True,“ which aespa reinterpreted in 2021.
„It is heartwarming to carry out with such gifted juniors,“ An stated. „Because of NCT DREAM’s remake, our hit ‚Sweet‘ has reached a brand new technology.“
Bada added a private contact with a heartfelt letter to followers. „S.E.S.‘ songs usually are not simply previous hits however companions on your goals and braveness. Could SM’s music proceed to circulation by your lives,“ she stated, getting emotional.
![[REVIEW] SM boasts 30 years of K-pop excellence with 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' 7 Fans attend the 'SMTOWN LIVE 2025' concert at the Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment](https://newsimg.koreatimes.co.kr/2025/01/13/0d534b37-8bda-4825-aec0-7fbb7c130d07.jpg)
Followers attend the „SMTOWN LIVE 2025“ live performance on the Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM Leisure
The live performance additionally debuted tracks from SM’s thirtieth anniversary album, underscoring the label’s enduring legacy and id by contemporary takes on common songs. Highlights included aespa’s rendition of f(x)’s timeless hit „Rum Pum Pum Pum,“ RIIZE’s tackle TVXQ!’s „Hug,“ Purple Velvet’s reprise of „Run Satan Run“ and NCT DREAM’s reimagining of EXO’s „Love Me Proper,“ every providing followers a nostalgic but contemporary expertise.
The grand finale of the whopping five-hour present noticed all artists unite on stage to carry out „Hope from KWANGYA,“ a heartfelt closing tune that celebrated unity and gratitude. Because the artists exchanged smiles and waves with the viewers, the dome echoed with cheers, as mild sticks illuminated the venue in a sea of pure love for Ok-pop.
With the Seoul live performance efficiently concluded, „SMTOWN LIVE 2025“ is about to embark on a worldwide tour beginning Could. The tour will make stops in main cities together with Mexico Metropolis, Los Angeles and Tokyo, with further cities anticipated to be added to the lineup.