SM ENTERTAINMENT Company Profile
Content 03 About Us History Vision & Mission Structure of The Company Organizational Culture Products & Services Financial Information 05 07 09 10 13 15
About Us
SM Entertainment, founded in 1995 by Head Producer Lee Soo Man, is the first company in the industry to introduce systematic casting, training, producing, and management systems, and it has been discovering unique content by pinpointing demands for music and cultural trends. SM Entertainment entered the global marketplace using globalization and localization strategies through culture technology and has become a leading entertainment company in Asia.
In 1997, SM Entertainment became the first company in the Korean entertainment industry to enter foreign markets and made remarkable achievements as the leader of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave.
SM Entertainment has successfully set foot in North America, South America, and Europe while maintaining its base in Asia, and has enhanced the national brand of Korea and promoted the growth of the culture industry. SM Entertainment is promoting the unique culture of Korea through avenues such as K-POP, the Korean alphabet, and Korean cuisine, through ‘Made by SM’ content all over the world, and is elevating the prestige of Korea by promoting the consumption of Korean brand products. In particular, SM Entertainment has focused on the value of culture that can lead the national economy and has contributed to its growth under the catchphrase, “Culture First, Economy Next.” SM Entertainment will continue to lead the entertainment industry until Korea becomes a ‘Cultural Powerhouse’ as well as an ‘Economic Powerhouse’ based on the idea that our economy will reach its heights only when our culture wins the heart of the entire world.
History
After graduating from California State University, Northridge in the United States, Lee Soo-man returned to Korea and in 1989 established what was then known as “SM Studio” in the Apgujeong neighborhood of Gangnam, Seoul and signed singer Hyun Jin-young. During the 1990s, SM Studio developed an in-house system that looked after all aspects of its artists’ careers. Lee’s approach was targeted at teenage audiences, and took a holistic view of the qualities needed to become a successful entertainer. In February 1995, the company changed its name to SM Entertainment and set up its capital fund. SM then developed an in-house production system and created a string of successful artists, including boy band H.O.T. in 1996, girl group S.E.S. in 1997, boy band Shinhwa in 1998, R&B duo Fly to the Sky in 1999, and soloist BoA in 2000.
Jung Hae-ik was appointed CEO at the time of SM’s official reestablishment in 1995, and was succeeded by Kim Kyung-wook in 1998.
Management Philosophy
The Future of Culture Technology!
As a company that produces the best in cultural content and entertainers by using state-of-the-art culture technologies, SM Entertainment aims to touch the people’s hearts and promote Korean culture in every corner of the world with the goal of contributing to national economic growth and a more affluent life for everyone.
Management Vision and Implementation Method
Asia’s No.1 Entertainment Group
To grow into a total entertainment group representing Asia, SM Entertainment is pushing forward aggressively with the following strategies.
Becoming the Best Digital Content Provider to Lead the Internet and Mobile Markets
The Korean Wave has spread quickly throughout the world through new media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. SM Entertainment will share the ‘Made By SM’ content with the entire world and build a virtual community for the global generation.
A Truly Global Company
SM Entertainment will grow into an entertainment group representing Asia through its network of global affiliates, such as SM Entertainment Japan, SM Entertainment Beijing, SM True, Dream Maker Entertainment, and SM Entertainment USA, and other entertainment groups overseas.
Structure of the Company
COO
CEO
Inside Director Outside Director Auditor Lee, Sung Su Tak, Young Jun Park Jun Young Ji Chang Hoon Kwak Junho
Organizational culture
We
aim at becoming ‘SM Entertainment, the Proudest Company in the World’ based on the ‘Trust of People’.
Diversity
SM Entertainment applies an annual salary system and incentive system based on individual performance and competence.
SM Entertainment offers incentives by measuring the contributions of individuals based on their performance, competence, and achievements.
SM Entertainment introduced an American-style annual salary system to expand individual incentives up to the highest level in the industry.
SM Entertainment makes an effort to return and distribute profits to members that have displayed high performance and achievement levels.
Incetive Open Minded
SM Entertainment pursues a horizontal, open-minded, and open organizational culture.
SM Entertainment eliminated the hierarchical rank/position system and
Your development
Employees may autonomously choose the training they need to enhance their job competence and can request the personnel team to receive the training.
Customized Cafeteria Style Training (to be introduced)
Employees may autonomously choose the training they need to enhance their job competence and can request the personnel team to receive the training.
Training of New Employees
Orientation and OJT for new employees to get familiar with the job quickly and also a mentoring system will be introduced in the future.
Self-participatory/self-directed training instead of training forced by the company
Products and Services
The Company mainly operates in two business segments: music record segment and management segment. Its music record segment engages in the planning, production and distribution of music records and videos, as well as publishing and licensing of Korean and foreign music products. Its management segment engages in the provision of management services for its artists, as well as casting and training of entertainers.
The label currently represents K-pop artists such as Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, Shinee, Exo, Red Velvet, NCT, WayV, SuperM and Aespa, and previously represented Hyun Jin-Young, Shinhwa, Fly to the Sky, The Grace, f(x) and Henry Lau. It also manages actors, including Kim Min-jong, Lee Jae-ryong, Yoo Ho-jeong, Cho Jun-young and previously represented Lee Yeon-hee, Go Ara. In Japan, SM co-publishes Avex Trax releases for artists including Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro, and Koda Kumi, as well as Johnny’s Entertainment artists such as Arashi and KAT-TUN.
Financial Information
SM Entertainment 83-21, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu
Tel: +82 2-6240-9800 Email: smcnc@smtown.com www.smentertainment.com