SM 3.0 is the new business strategy and development plan for SM Entertainment. As part of this plan, the label has instituted the use of “centers” within the organization, each of which is in charge of a particular artist. Previously, the same production team oversaw all of their performers, but starting last year, five distinct centers were established, each of which was in charge of a different group or idol from SM Entertainment.
Three different artists are managed by Center 1, sometimes referred to as “ONE”: BoA, Girls’ Generation (the remaining members being under SM Entertainment, at least), and aespa.
The lineup for Center 2, dubbed “PRISM,” includes WayV, Lucas, and SHINee—the surviving members of SM—in a possibly surprising combination.
Fittingly, Center 3, or “RED,” is in charge of both TVXQ and Red Velvet.
Not unexpectedly, Center 4, or NEO, is also in charge of the other NCT units except WayV, which are NCT 127, NCT U, NCT DREAM, and NCT WISH.
Ultimately, Super Junior (the surviving members at SM), RIIIZE, ExO, and Kangta are under the authority of center 5, commonly known as “WIZARD.”
This diagram illustrates the five centers.
The introduction of SM 3.0 has drawn a lot of criticism, particularly from employees who have expressed their displeasure and annoyance with the direction the firm has been taking. Furthermore, SM Entertainment has recently lost a number of well-known and iconic idols, such as Taemin and Onew from SHINee, a number of members of EXO and Girls’ Generation, and Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Kyuhyun from Super Junior.
Additionally, K-pop fans think that some centers are superior to others at supporting and caring for their performers and that not all centers are created equal. For instance, people tend to think well of the ONE center because of the number of promotions their artists receive, but the RED center appears to draw the most criticism because of the artists’ lack of engagement and apparent support.
Internet users expressed a wide range of strong opinions on a forum post on SM Entertainment’s five centers.
Regarding the five centers that SM Entertainment has created, what are your thoughts?
