Still one of the best multinational companies in South Korea, SM Entertainment is indeed one of the largest companies and it never fails to level up—they continue to bring innovative concepts most especially in the K-pop industry.
Just recently, SM announced the launch of a new metaverse subsidiary. The entertainment powerhouse is establishing Studio Kwangya, a company that will focus on producing metaverse content and other works related to VR and VFX production.
SM’s new metaverse arm has already teamed up with the US-based virtual concert specialist AmazeVR to establish Studio A. The joint venture will produce VR concerts for both K-pop and international artists.
Metaverse technology has been on the forefront of creating the SM Culture Universe (SMCU), a unique storytelling concept adapted by SM Entertainment that ties all the individual narratives and music of their artists together into one connected storyline.
In an interview, Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment, shared his aim of making South Korea a leader in the metaverse world. The company is often called a trendsetter, as it brings forth never-seen-before concepts in the K-pop industry.
“SMCU is a concept that crosses virtual and real worlds and encompasses the unique stories and worldviews of each artist. And the universe contains the identities of each artist and the place that transcends them. It also represents a new world where they coexist without boundaries. Studio Kwangya was established to professionally create differentiated metaverse contents based on Culture Technology.” SM Entertainment representatives explained.
South Korea is proving to be a major hub for metaverse activities. In addition to the South Korean entertainment industry becoming one of the early pioneers of the metaverse through K-pop bands. Studio Kwangya is being adopted by the entertainment company as part of its SM Culture Universe (SMCU), and it has already attracted several artists, including NCT and Aespa.
SM Entertainment has been representing top acts in the K-pop industry, including the crowd favorites: H.O.T., SNSD, EXO, and Red Velvet.
