Let the Fight Begin: Interactive Media in Exo’s “Obsession” Comeback Promotion

 “I learned to recognise the thorough and primitive duality of man … even if I could rightly be said to be either, it was only because I was radi…

In Defense of Noise: SM Future Sound and Red Velvet

The first half of 2019 have seen Red Velvet flex their musical muscles to varying degrees of reception. Being one of a few SM acts in which found…

Super M is Painting K-pop in a Whole New Light

SM Entertainment’s history of unit groups is a long one, from project groups, such as SM the Ballad and Yonique Unit, to sub-units, like Exo-CBX, …

Has NCT’s Concept Been Effective?

In 2016, SM Entertainment launched the idol group project called Neo Culture Technology -- otherwise known as NCT. We previously covered the conce…

SM’s Treatment of Non-Korean Artists

The recent news of Henry leaving SM Entertainment, which unfortunately did not come as a surprise, raises wider questions about the treatment and posit…

U-Know Yunho Returns on a Grimy Beat “Drop”

Before I even begin I just have to… take a moment to collect myself. For most Cassies, it’s been a long two years (made even longer for the abse…

The Staying Power of SNSD

It has been announced that SNSD will be making a comeback in early August to mark the group's 10th anniversary. The girl group has been on hiatus for t…

Managing Idol Relationships, the SM Way

The recent news of EXO’s Kai and f(x)’s Krystal breaking up after having been together publicly for a little over a year marks the end of the second of…

Amber Cries for Help: What’s Going on at SM?

Our idols are human too, a fact that’s easy to overlook when we’re bombarded by flashy visuals and crafted personalities. We forget that this is a job …

Companies on Top in 2016

2016 was a year full of ups and downs. There were many great comebacks, debuts, and plenty of releases. There were also disbandments, contract terminat…