SM’s 30th anniversary concert marred by artists‘ absences

Ladies‘ Technology member Taeyeon, left, and Pink Velvet’s Wendy, each artists below Ok-pop big SM Leisure / Newsis

SM Leisure’s thirtieth anniversary live performance has been overshadowed by controversy as Ladies‘ Technology’s Taeyeon and Pink Velvet’s Wendy publicly voiced their grievances over their absence, additional stirring disappointment amongst followers.

The leisure big is ready to host the „SMTOWN LIVE 2025 in SEOUL“ live performance this weekend at Gocheok Sky Dome in southwestern Seoul’s Guro District. The occasion, touted as a milestone celebration, promised a lineup that includes a lot of SM’s greatest stars.

The official poster for the upcoming „SMTOWN LIVE 2025 in SEOUL“ live performance, slated for this weekend at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul’s Guro District / Courtesy of SM Leisure

Nevertheless, latest bulletins relating to some high artists‘ absences have dampened fan expectations.

Final month, SM confirmed that Taeyeon wouldn’t be collaborating, adopted by Monday’s announcement that Wendy would even be absent citing „private causes.“

With each artists being the principle vocalists of their respective teams, their absence has left followers questioning the planning behind the live performance.

In a direct response, Wendy addressed the problem on Monday by way of a web based fan platform. „The corporate and I had mentioned this over a month in the past, however the announcement was solely made right this moment,“ she wrote, expressing frustration on the last-minute discover, which got here lower than every week earlier than the live performance.

„I think about many followers had been wanting ahead to a five-member Pink Velvet efficiency. I am sorry. Since it is the thirtieth anniversary, a wide range of performances can be ready. I hope you take pleasure in it. Thanks all the time and I am sorry once more,“ Wendy wrote.

Taeyeon, whose absence was confirmed in December, had additionally beforehand shared her disappointment, revealing she had initially hoped to take part.

„I needed to carry out at this essential occasion and had begun getting ready two or three songs. I communicated my plans to the corporate and awaited their preparations, however to place it merely, they didn’t comply with by means of, so I ended up not having the ability to carry out. This isn’t as a result of I lacked motivation or did not wish to do it,“ she wrote by means of a web based fan platform.

The official poster for Taeyeon’s live performance scheduled to happen on the KSPO Dome in Songpa District, Seoul, spanning three days from March 7 to 9 / Courtesy of SM Leisure

„I am obsessed with performing and wish to give my greatest, however the assist from the corporate wasn’t there. I am severely reflecting on this example. I need followers to grasp that I am sharing this to stop any misunderstandings about my intentions.“

In a transfer that would ease some disappointment, SM Leisure introduced Tuesday that Taeyeon would maintain her first solo live performance in a single 12 months and 7 months. The live performance, titled „TAEYEON CONCERT ‚The TENSE,'“ will happen from March 7 to 9 at KSPO Dome in Seoul’s Songpa District.

She may also embark on an eight-city Asian tour, with stops in Taipei and Manila in March, Jakarta and Macao in April and Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong in Might and June.

The upcoming „SMTOWN LIVE 2025 in SEOUL“ live performance will function a star-studded lineup, together with big-name SM singers from the primary era to the most recent, together with Kangta, BoA, boy bands TVXQ! and Tremendous Junior, HYO of Ladies‘ Technology, SHINee’s Key and Minho, EXO’s Suho and Chanyeol, the remaining 4 members of Pink Velvet, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, aespa, RIIZE, NCT WISH and digital singer nævis.

Including to the celebration, SM additionally introduced Tuesday the upcoming launch of a commemorative album that includes remakes of the label’s iconic hits.

„The album will embody reinterpretations of SM’s hit songs, with senior and junior artists collaborating to convey out every group’s distinctive model,“ the corporate stated in a press release. „It would showcase SM’s music historical past in a recent method.“

The primary monitor, a remake of TVXQ!’s debut track „Hug“ carried out by RIIZE, SM’s rookie boy group that debuted in 2023, can be launched Wednesday.