classical music
SM Entertainment Celebrate 3 Decade of K-pop, Partners with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
K-pop is seeing a new phase in its development as a genre. With an increasing audience maturing from their teens, it is no longer optional to only keep live performances in a stadium or festival.
SM Entertainment recently celebrated its 30th anniversary in the k-pop world in a performance at the Seoul Arts Center’s concert hall with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.
2025 is all about sophistication for a maturing genre like K-pop, and it would not have gone any other way. Here at Music Press Asia, we are seeing pop culture brands increasingly presented with sophistication.
And what could be more sophisticated than classical music?
SM Entertainment is certain when it comes to paving new way for K-pop. It is also a new era for classical music establishment to welcome new collaborations.
In a two-day concert series, SHINee’s Minho opening speech at the SM CLASSICS LIVE with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra on Feb. 14 explains the exciting direction SM Entertainment is taking to launch orchestral k-pop music, a historic moment debuting the first-ever orchestra concert to fuse K-pop with classical music.
The concert coincided with SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary exactly on Feb 14 with the second performance the next day at Lotte Concert Hall.
Leading the orchestra was conductor maestro and composer, Kim Yu-won.
This groundbreaking collaboration between SM Classics, SM Entertainment’s classical and jazz label established in 2020, and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra demonstrates K-pop’s expansion beyond its traditional boundaries.
The live performances offered a fresh perspective on k-pop’s familiar hits, reinterpreting some of the most iconic songs in SM Entertainment’s history through orchestral arrangements.
Over the two-day concert, the orchestra performed sixteen songs from legendary artists including BoA, TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, aespa, and Riize.
A hologram projection above the orchestra provided a visually immersive experience in enhancing the storytelling of each piece of music.
On the second day, Red Velvet’s Wendy performed her solo songs, “Like Water” and “When This Rain Stops.” Both nights concluded with an encore of SM Entertainment’s iconic track, “Hope.”
While the concert showcased a variety of innovative orchestral arrangements, some performances carried deep emotional weight. One of the most moving moments came during the orchestra’s rendition of late SHINee member Jonghyun’s solo song, “End of a Day.”
SM Classics’ commitment to blending contemporary K-pop with orchestral elements became especially evident in their interpretation of Riize’s “Boom Boom Bass.” The bold fusion of classical and modern sounds energized the audience, and enthusiastic cheers erupted as the piece came to an end.
Reflecting on the concert’s significance, SM Classics CEO Moon Jung-jae said: “We’ve been counting down the days for SM Classics and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to showcase our work. We hope that this first orchestra concert in Seoul will pave the way for many more global performances for our international fans.”
Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO Jeong Jae-wal echoed this sentiment, said: “It is exciting that the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and SM Entertainment are finally unveiling the results of our five-year collaboration. We are delighted that this performance can be enjoyed not only by classical music fans but also by K-pop fans.”
This new collaboration may be an experiment not without risk, but SM Classics has proven — with exceptional vigor – that K-pop’s influence extends far beyond its original structure as a popular culture.
Transforming familiar hits into orchestral masterpieces is redefining musical boundaries and creativity. If this event is any indication, the fusion of K-pop and classical music is just beginning—and the global stage may be next for the SM Classics and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 2024, Jaap van Zweden, former Music Director of the New York Philharmonic (2018-2024), began his tenure as the Seoul Philharmonic Orceshtra’s third Music Director.
To propel the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra toward becoming a world-class as it moves beyond its 80th anniversary and heads toward its centennial, it is preparing to complete Mahler symphonies recording, launch conducting fellowship, resume Opera performances, and tour the U.S.A.
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) — celebrating its 80th anniversary this year — traces its origins to the Korea Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1945. It is also the first Asian orchestra to sign contract with the Deutsche Grammophon label.
For more concerts and tickets at the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, visit their official website here.
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