After announcing a headquarters in Southeast Asia in Singapore at the end of 2022, the South Korean K-Pop agency SM entertainment He now seems ready to launch a training academy for the hopes of K-Pop in the city-state.
The company behind K-Pop acts as Aespa,, Girls generationAnd Nct Will launch the installation, via its subsidiary SM universein June of this year to * ScapeA hub centered on young people in the heart of Orchard Link, several media outside Southeast Asia reported Monday March 3), citing official release.
The Singapore branch will offer a 21 -week flagship training program – covering voices, dance, music production and stage performance – everything for $ 10,000 USD. However, scholarships Would be available for high potential students.
Registration in the first batch will be capped at 50 students, with an online hearing process required for admission. In addition to the flagship program, SM Universe Singapore will offer shorter courses to those who seek to refine their performance skills, according to reports.
The course will end with a week-long stay on the main campus of SM Universe in Seoul, where the best students will have the chance to spend to audition for major South Korean entertainment agencies.
The Academy will mainly address students aged 13 to 18, although there is no official age limit, Singapore Strait times reportedCiting a spokesperson for the Singapore campus.
“This academy will provide budding mass artists in the region with world class education and will serve as a springboard for their growth while they are pursuing their dreams on the international scene.”
Jae-Won JangSM universe
Founded in 1995, SM Entertainment launched some of the greatest acts in the K-POP industry, including the generation of girls, Red velvet, AESPA, NCT and Rice. The new company group, Hearts2hearts,, Make his debut Recently, with their single The pursuit.
SM Universe was launched for the first time in Seoul in 2022, offering a three -year program with majors in production, singing, dance, modeling and theater. A semester there would have cost KRW 10 million (approximately 6,850 USD on the basis of current exchange rates). Unlike its Seoul counterpart, the Singapore Academy should be integrated into a program after school instead of replacing formal education.
“SM Universe is delighted to develop in Southeast Asia and feed new talents. This academy will provide budding mass artists in the region with world class education and will serve as a springboard for their growth as they continue their dreams on the international scene “,” Jae-Won JangThe general manager of SM Universe was cited by the media.
Jonathan AngThe director of the Singapore campus, added: “The creation of a Singapore campus demonstrates our commitment to promote talents and to offer unrivaled growth opportunities to young artists in Southeast Asia.”
The news arrives more than two years after SM Entertainment disclosed plans to create a registered office in Southeast Asia in Singapore, where he would also have considered a retail company. At the time, founder of SM Entertainment Lee SOO-MAN said CNBC conversation that the plan could see the creation of a new K-Pop group called NCT SingaporeAlthough this plan has not yet materialized.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, SM Entertainment reported A 9% in annual shift Increase in income to KRW 273.8 billion (USD 195.94 million dollars at the average exchange rate of the quarter). Its operating profit has increased by 275.6% in annual shift has KRW 33.9 billion (24.26 million dollars), which SM has attributed to the increase in income, a change in the sales mix and a reallocation of performance -based remuneration.
The Singapore Training Academy is only one of the latest SM Entertainment initiatives to extend the K-POP training methodology worldwide. In November 2023, the company joined the British production company Moon and back media To develop a group of boys based in the United Kingdom. The collaboration aimed to mix the K-POP training methodology with Western television production.
The initiative resulted in the start of CheraliceA group of British boys created Through a partnership between SM entertainment,, Moon and backAnd SM & Kakao Entertainment America. The group’s training process has been documented in the Bbc A series Made in Korea: K-pop experienceWho filmed the 100-day training period of members in South Korea, offering viewers an overview of the development system of K-POP artists.
SM Entertainment K-Pop Rival Hyb Also ventured into talent research abroad. Hybe last week announcement plans to establish a company that will bring together the president of Hybe Bang Si-Hyukknown for the launch of BTS, and Hybe America CEO Braun scooter with Onerepublic singer Ryan Tedder To find and create a group of new generation boys.
This decision follows the recent success of Hybe with KatseyeTheir first group of world girls spear in partnership Universal music groupGeffen records. On 120,000 Young people around the world participated In the hearing of the first group of World Girls in Hybe / Geffen.
Business Music Worldwide