SM Entertainment is commemorating its 30th anniversary with the release of a special group album, 2025 SMTOWN: THE CULTURE, THE FUTURE. The album, set to drop on February 14 at 6 PM KST, marks SM’s first group project in over two years, following the release of SMCU PALACE in December 2022.
The album’s title track, Thank You, is a brand-new collaborative piece featuring SM’s wide array of artists. In addition, the album includes 17 reimagined tracks where senior and junior SM artists put their unique spin on the company’s iconic hits, offering fans a fresh take on beloved classics.
Highlights of the reinterpreted tracks include Kangta’s rendition of S.E.S.’s Just a Feeling, BoA’s cover of SHINee’s Jonghyun’s End of a Day, and TVXQ’s take on Red Velvet’s Psycho. Super Junior revisits Shinhwa’s I Pray 4 U, while Girls’ Generation reinterprets The Grace’s Passion.
EXO delivers their version of H.O.T.’s Fighting Spirit (투지), and Red Velvet reimagines Girls’ Generation’s Run Devil Run. NCT’s subunits also contribute, with NCT 127 covering Hyun Jin Young’s That’s Me in the Shadow of Memories (흐린 기억 속의 그대), NCT DREAM tackling EXO’s Love Me Right, and WayV presenting their version of SHINee’s Juliette.
The next generation of SM artists also take center stage. aespa reinterprets f(x)’s Rum Pum Pum Pum (첫 사랑니), RIIZE covers TVXQ’s Hug, NCT WISH performs Super Junior’s Miracle, and NAVIS reimagines BoA’s Game.
In addition to artist collaborations, SM’s specialized labels contribute to the celebration. Scream Records, SM’s dance music label, and SM Classics, its classical and jazz division, have recreated SHINee’s View and BoA’s My Name, blending contemporary and timeless musical elements.
The album launch follows the successful SMTOWN LIVE 2025 concert held on January 11-12 in Seoul, where the title track’s music video and select album tracks were performed live for the first time.
This commemorative album offers fans a chance to explore SM’s rich musical heritage while showcasing the innovative reinterpretation of its iconic works. With this release, SM Entertainment not only celebrates its legacy but also looks forward to shaping the future of the global music industry.
Sayart / Sharon Jung, guhuijeong784@gmail.com
