SM Entertainment
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S.M. Entertainment is a major talent agency, producer and publisher of Korean pop music that was founded by Lee Soo Man. Initially, "SM" was an abbreviation of the agency founder's name, Soo Man, but now stands for Star Museum, alluding to the popularity of SM Entertainment's singers in South Korea. Best known to have once been the home to the "legendary groups" H.O.T., S.E.S., and Shinhwa, the company's current CEO is Kim Young Min. SM Entertainment also co-publishes Avex Trax releases for Japanese artists such as Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro and Koda Kumi. SM Entertainment recently celebrated its ten-year anniversary with a party on February 15, 2006.
HistoryThe founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo Man is a graduate of Seoul National University. After graduation and his own solo activities, 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. Strongly successful from the beginning, both groups managed to become two of the top Korean pop groups of the 1990s. Lee soon created another boy band (Shinhwa) to match up to their standards and once again, the band proved to be a success, continuing Lee's clean streak of successful artists. However, problems began appearing in SM Entertainment with the breakup of H.O.T. Financial issues were assumed to be the problem, but real reasons were never officially disclosed. In the following years, SM Entertainment saw some of newer ventures (such as Isak N Jiyeon and dance group Black Beat flounder) and several of its flagship pop groups (including S.E.S., popular boyband Shinhwa and Fly To The Sky) either left or disbanded. The agency has since found major new talent, such as BoA and TVXQ. All two have been aggressively promoted in Japan and China (in particular, BoA, who has enjoyed notable success as a j-pop artist) as part of its more recent blue ocean strategy to export Korean talent to larger overseas music markets. All three are part of SM's joint venture with Avex Trax of Japan. Major timeline1990sIn February of 1995, SM Entertainment sets up it capital fund at ₩50,000,000. In January of 1996, SM Entertainment purchased land for a recording site and manufactured its contents for broadcasting companies (KBS, SBS, HBS, K-MTV, M-NET). In April of 1997, the head office was transferred to Yadang ri Kyoha myon Paju Kyungki do. In October of 1998, Kim Kyoung Wook took the title as 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). In that same year, SM Entertainment built a branch office in Apgujung dong Kangnam gu, Seoul. 2000sIn early 2000, SM Entertainment agreed to share the split from 5,000 won to 500 per a share. In mid-2000, SM Entertainment 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 of 2000, SM Entertainment established an affiliation with Fandago Korea Co., Ltd. In January of 2001, SM Entertainment established an overseas joint-venture corporation as SM Entertainment Japan Co., Ltd. In March of the same year, Kim Kyoung Wook took the title of CEO as the 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 of 2002, an additional 1,341,180 shares was added and in June of 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 (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.[1] 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.[2] Expanding the marketSM Entertainment Japan was established in 2001. SM Entertainment accompanied by SM Entertainment Japan is preparing to establish a new headquarter in Beijing, China to compete with the Asian Market.[3] SM Entertainment will set up its Asian headquarters in Hong Kong to expand its business in the China market.[4] AuditionsSM held open casting calls for a variety of positions (including singers, dancers, models, song writers, etc.) for all Asians across North America during the fall of 2006 to 2007 in major cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Toronto. The final audition was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, after which the finalists travelled to Korea in order to train and prepare for their debut. In 2007, the Global Auditions will be held during September to October in the same major cities, including Washington, DC. And at the end of the year, they will be come across in some places in Asia. November 23rd in Taiwan, December 17th in Thailand, and lastly in Malaysia on December 20th. RosterSMTown, 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. Current2000BoA (Korean: 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. 2001Kangta (Korean: 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.[5] He is also a shareholder of SM Entertainment. Dana (Korean: 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 material[citation needed]. 2002Black Beat (Korean: 블랙 비트) 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. 2004TVXQ (Hangul: 동방신기; Hanja: 東方神起), or Tōhōshinki in Japan, are considered as one of the most popular boy bands in South Korea, 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 their recent singles entering the Oricon Chart's Top 3. TRAX (Korean: 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. 2005The Grace (Hangul: 천상지희; Hanja: 天上智喜), or Tenjōchiki in Japan, are 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 (Korean: 슈퍼주니어) started off as a twelve-member band consisting of Park Jungsu (Leeteuk), Kim Heechul, Han Geng (Hankyung, the only Chinese member), 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, dancers, comedians, models, DJs, and MCs. A subgroup was created in November 2006 under the name, Super Junior-K.R.Y. and consists of Yesung, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun. In February 2007, another subgroup was created, Super Junior-T 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. 2006Zhang Li Yin (traditional Chinese: 張力尹; simplified Chinese: 张力尹), also known as Jang Ri In (Korean: 장리인), is the first female Chinese solo singer in the Korean music industry. She has signed with SM Entertainment after placing in the top 10 in China's Singing Competition. She has worked with Xiah Junsu from TVXQ to produce her debut single, "Timeless." 2007Girls' Generation (Hangul: 소녀시대; Hanja: 少女時代) is a nine-member girl group consisting of Im Yoona, Stephanie Hwang (Tiffany), Kwon Yuri, Kim Hyoyeon, Choi Sooyoung, Seo Joohyun (Seohyun), Kim Taeyeon, Jessica Jung, and Lee Soonkyu (Sunny). The group is known to be multilingual as some members can speak Japanese, Chinese, and English, alongside their native Korean. Other artists
In early 2007, Ahyoomee switched to SM Entertainment. She speaks fluent Japanese, and she is also an MC of TVN.[6].
Isak is currently a DJ for a radio station and VJ of Pops in Seoul that airs in ARIRANG.
FormerDisbandedH.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. CollaborationsS (2003) 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. Kangta & Vanness (2006) is a collaboration duo between Korea and Taiwan in 2006. In early 2006, Kangta and Vanness Wu of F4, debuted with their single "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. Left SM EntertainmentShinhwa (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, and Jun Jin have pursued their own solo music careers while Eric Mun and Andy Lee are active in the film and television industry. Shinhwa have 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, Moon Hee Jun 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. Known TraineesFemale
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