SM Entertainment to debut new boy band in second half of 2025: Source
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SMTR25, a group of 25 male trainees from SM Entertainment, performed at the "SM Town Live 2025 in Seoul" concert on Jan 12.
PHOTO: SM ENTERTAINMENT
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SEOUL - SM Entertainment is preparing to launch a new boy band in the second half of 2025, according to an industry source on Jan 15.
“From what I know, a new boy band will debut under SM Entertainment this year. The exact date for their debut is unknown, but considering the preparation time, which usually takes about five months, there’s a strong possibility the group will debut in the second half,” the source told The Korea Herald, under condition of anonymity.
Among fans, a former Hybe trainee known by the stage name JJ is at the centre of speculation as one of the potential members for SM Entertainment’s new group.
The 19-year-old Japanese American appeared as part of the SMTR25 group at SM Entertainment’s recent 30th-anniversary SMTown Live 2025 in Seoul concerts, held from Jan 11 to 12.
The SMTR25 team, comprising 25 male trainees, performed SHINee’s Lucifer and EXO’s Growl during the two-day event, without the trainees’ names being revealed. JJ’s face was shown prominently in close-up shots multiple times on screens at the concert venue during the group’s performance.
JJ first gained public attention through Hybe’s YouTube series Trainee A in 2021, which documented the debut process of a new boy band. He was one of seven confirmed finalists, alongside Leo, Sangwon, James, Jihoon, Inhyuk and Jo Woo-chan, but reportedly joined SM Entertainment after failing to debut under Hybe.
SM Entertainment declined to comment on the matter.
So far, the K-pop powerhouse has not officially announced plans to debut a new boy band, as it is currently focused on introducing its new girl group, Heart2Heart, in February.
SM Entertainment co-CEO Tak Young-jun previously revealed in February 2023 that the company plans to launch two new K-pop groups every year under its multiproduction centre and label system.
“SM Entertainment originally planned to introduce a new boy band last year, but likely postponed it to time it with the company’s 30th anniversary this year,” the source said.
“If the group had debuted last November, their debut might have been overshadowed by the company’s preparations for its world tour celebrating the 30th-anniversary concert this month. The timing seems to have been adjusted strategically.” THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
