According to Allkpop, SM Entertainment recently announced its performance report for the third quarter of 2024, along with its artists' plans for the fourth and first quarters of next year.
While groups like aespa, TVXQ, and NCT, as well as solo albums from idols like Irene, Mark, Kai, and Seulgi are generating interest, the highlight of the report is definitely SM's new girl group, set to debut in the first quarter of 2025.
Considering the impact SM girl groups have had in the past, the anticipation for the upcoming group is high. However, it is still uncertain whether the debut will go on as scheduled, as the girl group's debut schedule has been delayed several times.
“SM will not only continue to nurture beloved veteran artists, but also continuously build an artist IP that spans every generation of K-pop through the debut of new artists. The debut of a new girl group next year will further solidify our artist lineup,” said co-CEO Jang Cheol Hyuk.
This will be SM's next girl group after 5 years, since aespa has been active since 2020.
This is long enough for SM groups to not overlap, create interaction with fans, and build their own fan communities without competing too directly. For SM, this is also the ideal time to introduce a new group.
SM has an undeniable legacy of success in the system of building and managing idol groups.
The company is the cradle of famous music groups from the first generation to the 4th generation of Kpop such as S.E.S, Shinhwa, Girls' Generation (SNSD), TVXQ, Super Junior, EXO, Red Velvet, aespa...
Each group has its own distinct image and style, creating a buzz in both the Korean and international markets, contributing significantly to the growth of the Kpop industry.
aespa, the most active group today, made a strong impact once again in 2024 with the hit "Supernova" - the song was voted the best Kpop song of 2024 by 200 employees in the Korean entertainment industry (in a survey by JoyNews24 magazine).
Naturally, fans are curious about the members who will be in SM's new girl group lineup.
Previously, Na Ha Eun, the girl known as the "dancing prodigy", attracted attention when she became an SM trainee in April 2022. But then there was news that Ha Eun had left SM, so the identities of the members are still unknown.
aespa has a very unique main style, so the audience expects the upcoming girl group to bring a completely new, unique style.
