highperformr logo

SM Entertainment's Overview

Total employees630
HeadquartersSeoul
Founded1995

SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. is a pioneering South Korean multinational entertainment agency, record label, talent agency, music production company, event management, and concert production company. Founded by Lee Soo-man, it has been instrumental in shaping the K-pop phenomenon and "Hallyu" (Korean Wave) globally. SM Entertainment is known for its systematic artist development, high-quality music production, and innovative concepts, managing a roster of prominent K-pop artists and groups. The company has recently undergone significant strategic changes, including a major investment and partnership with Kakao, ushering in the 'SM 3.0' era focused on multi-production centers and IP expansion.

Where is SM Entertainment's Headquarters?

SM Entertainment officeSM Entertainment officeSM Entertainment officeSM Entertainment office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

The headquarters serves as the central command for all of SM Entertainment's global operations, including artist training and development (A&R), music production, marketing and public relations, global business strategy, corporate administration, and management of its multi-production center system.

Notable Features:

The state-of-the-art facility in Acro Seoul Forest D Tower is designed to foster creativity and efficiency. It includes advanced recording studios, spacious dance practice rooms, modern office spaces, artist lounges, and areas dedicated to content creation. Its location within a new, upscale complex underscores its status.

Work Culture:

The work culture at SM Entertainment is dynamic, fast-paced, and highly creative, typical of the global entertainment industry. There is a strong emphasis on innovation, trendsetting, and maintaining a leading position in the K-pop world, requiring dedication and a passion for music and entertainment from its employees.

HQ Significance:

The headquarters is the nerve center of one of K-pop's most influential agencies, responsible for launching and managing globally recognized artists. The move to Seongsu-dong signifies a new era ('SM 3.0'), reflecting growth, modernization, and strategic alignment with partner Kakao.

Values Reflected in HQ: The modern, technologically advanced headquarters reflects SM Entertainment's commitment to innovation, quality, global leadership, and providing a premier environment for its artists, producers, and staff to create world-class entertainment content.

Location:

SM Entertainment maintains a robust global presence by supporting a wide array of functions internationally. These include artist management and A&R, global music production and distribution, large-scale international concert tours and event production, worldwide merchandising, and coordinated global marketing and public relations campaigns. The company actively establishes international offices and partnerships (e.g., in Japan, USA, China, Southeast Asia) to manage artist activities, engage with local fanbases, and explore collaborations across Asia, North America, Europe, and other key markets, adapting its strategies to resonate with diverse cultural contexts.

Street Address:

83-21 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu (Acro Seoul Forest D Tower)

City:

Seoul

State/Province:

N/A (Seoul is a Special City)

Country:

South Korea

SM Entertainment's Global Presence

Tokyo, Japan

Address: SM Entertainment Japan Inc., Sumitomo Fudosan Azabu Juban Bldg. 7F, 1-4-1 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

To maximize SM Entertainment's artist reach and business in Japan, fostering direct connections with the Japanese fanbase and media.

Beijing, China

Address: Representative office, typically in Chaoyang District or major business centers in Beijing, China.

To develop and expand SM Entertainment's presence in the significant Chinese entertainment market, promoting artists and exploring local collaborations.

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Address: SM Entertainment USA Inc., 4322 Wilshire Blvd #300, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA

To strengthen SM Entertainment's foothold in the Western music market, particularly the USA, and support the global expansion strategies for its artists.

Bangkok, Thailand

Address: SM True Co., Ltd. (Joint Venture with True Corporation), 92/1 Soi Thonglor, Sukhumvit 55 Rd., Klongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand

To cater effectively to the strong K-pop fanbase in Thailand and Southeast Asia, utilizing local partnerships for optimized market penetration and engagement.

Buying Intent Signals for SM Entertainment

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Executive Team of SM Entertainment

As of April 2025, SM Entertainment' leadership includes:

Jang Cheol-hyuk - Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Tak Young-jun - Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Chief Artist Management Officer (CAMO)
Park Jun-young - Chief Creative Officer (CCO)
Jang Jae-ho - Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Investors of SM Entertainment

SM Entertainment has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Kakao Corp.
Kakao Entertainment Corp.
Various Institutional Investors (including National Pension Service of Korea, asset management firms)

Executive New Hires/Exits in the Last 12 Months

Hire1
Exits2

Recent executive changes, primarily occurring in early 2023, significantly reshaped SM Entertainment's leadership structure. This overhaul was largely driven by Kakao's successful acquisition, leading to the appointment of a new CEO and key C-suite executives to spearhead the 'SM 3.0' strategy. This period also marked the formal end of founder Lee Soo-man's production involvement with the company. The current top executive team has been largely stable since these key appointments.

Departures

Lee Sung-su, Lee Sung-su concluded his term as Co-CEO during the period of management restructuring following Kakao's investment.
Lee Soo-man, The production contract with founder Lee Soo-man was officially terminated, marking his departure from an active production role at SM Entertainment.

New Appointments:

Jang Cheol-hyuk, Jang Cheol-hyuk was appointed CEO, transitioning from his prior role as CFO, to lead SM Entertainment into its 'SM 3.0' era.
Tak Young-jun, Tak Young-jun, a former Co-CEO, was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the new 'SM 3.0' leadership structure.

Technology (Tech Stack) used by SM Entertainment

Discover the tools SM Entertainment uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

SM Entertainment Email Formats and Examples

SM Entertainment's official email format is not publicly disclosed. However, many corporations utilize standardized email patterns. Common formats include combinations of first name, last name, and initials with the company domain.

Likely formats include [first_initial][last]@sment.com (e.g., jdoe@sment.com) or [first].[last]@sment.com (e.g., jane.doe@sment.com). The exact structure can vary by department or region.

Format

example@sment.com

Example

60%

Success rate

News and media

Yonhap News AgencyMay 10, 2024

SM Entertainment Q1 profit falls 15% on higher costs

SM Entertainment reported a 15% year-on-year decrease in its first-quarter operating profit, attributing it to increased investments in new artist debuts and album production activities as part of its SM 3.0 growth strategy....more

Soompi / SM EntertainmentFebruary 7, 2024

SM Entertainment Announces Plans For Artists’ Music Releases And Concerts In 2024, Including Four New Teams

SM Entertainment unveiled its extensive plans for 2024, including a robust lineup of music releases, concerts for existing artists, and the debut of four new teams, such as NCT WISH, alongside major releases like RIIZE's first single album and aespa's first full-length album....more

SM Entertainment / Various Korean financial news outletsMarch 27, 2024

SM Entertainment CEO Jang Cheol-hyuk Emphasizes Shareholder Return and SM 3.0 Progress at General Meeting

At SM Entertainment's 29th annual general shareholders' meeting, CEO Jang Cheol-hyuk highlighted the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value, reported on the progress of the 'SM 3.0' strategy, and outlined plans for sustainable growth through new artist debuts and expanded global activities....more

Highperformr’s free tools for company research

Explore Employees by Region or Country

See where a company’s workforce is located, by country or region.

View Funding Details

View past and recent funding rounds with amounts and investors.

Understand Revenue Insights

Understand company revenue estimates and financial scale.

Track Active Job Openings

Track active roles and hiring trends to spot growth signals.

Review Product and Offerings

Discover what a company offers—products, platforms, and solutions.

Get SIC or NAICS Codes

Get the company’s official SIC and NAICS classifications.

Analyze Website Traffic Trends

Analyze visitor volume, engagement, and top traffic sources.

Discover Social Profiles and Engagement

Explore LinkedIn, Twitter, and other active social profiles.

Identify Top Competitors

Identify top competitors based on similar business traits.

Research and Discover Companies with Highperformr — Smarter, Faster

Explore companies in depth — from the tech they use to recent funding, hiring trends, and buyer signals — all in one powerful view.

Highperformr AI helps you surface the right accounts and enrich your CRM with verified company and contact insights, so your teams can prioritize and engage faster.

  • Track intent signals to find buyers who are actively in-market
  • Enrich contacts and companies instantly, no need to switch tools
  • Automate workflows to stay ahead of every change
  • Connect your CRM & tools for seamless data sync and activation

Thousands of companies, including SM Entertainment, are just a search away.