Former SM Entertainment Building (Cheongdam-dong)

Red Velvet EXO Girls' Generation Super Junior SHINee NCT TVXQ

Artist Connections

The historic former headquarters of SM Entertainment, where numerous K-pop legends trained and debuted.

While technically located in Gangnam-gu, the former SM Entertainment building in Cheongdam-dong is an iconic landmark deeply intertwined with the history of K-pop, and its proximity and influence extend to adjacent areas like Seongdong-gu. This building served as the birthplace and training ground for many legendary K-pop groups, including TVX!, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, EXO, and Red Velvet. Countless hours of practice, recording, and planning for their debuts and comebacks took place here, making it a sacred site for fans. Although SM Entertainment has since moved to a new building, the old one remains a pilgrimage spot for fans who want to feel the history and legacy of their beloved idols' origins. It symbolizes the hard work and dedication that went into creating some of K-pop's biggest stars.

"While technically located in Gangnam-gu, the former SM Entertainment building in Cheongdam-dong is an iconic landmark deeply intertwined with the hist..."

BoA

• Activity: Training & Solo Career Launchpad
  BoA, the 'Queen of K-pop,' trained and prepared for her iconic solo career within these walls, making it a significant site for her legacy.

EXO

• Activity: Debut & Early Success
  EXO members trained and prepared for their impactful debut and early successful comebacks within these walls, forming a core part of their history.
• Activity: Pre-debut & Early Career Base
  EXO members, before and after their debut, utilized these facilities for training, practice, and album preparations, making it a key location in their early success.
• Activity: Trainee Life and Debut Preparations
  EXO members spent significant time here as trainees, honing their skills and preparing for their highly anticipated debut, which launched them into global stardom.

Girls' Generation

• Activity: Debut Preparations & Comebacks
  Girls' Generation prepared for their debut and subsequent comebacks at this iconic building, shaping their global rise as a top girl group.
• Activity: Music Video Filming and Practice
  Many of Girls' Generation's early music videos and practice sessions took place within or around this building, marking the start of their global phenomenon.
• Activity: Trainee Period & Group Formation
  Many Girls' Generation members spent their formative trainee years and the early stages of their group formation in this building, witnessing their journey to becoming 'The Nation's Girl Group.'

H.O.T.

• Activity: Debut & Early Success Base
  This building served as the operational base for first-generation K-pop idols H.O.T. during their groundbreaking debut and rise to fame.

NCT

• Activity: Pre-debut Training and Content Creation
  NCT members, especially the earlier units, trained and filmed various pre-debut content at this location, showcasing their talent before official debuts.

Red Velvet

• Activity: Early Practices and Recordings
  Red Velvet trained and recorded much of their early discography in this building, contributing to their distinct concept and musical identity.

SHINee

• Activity: Early Career Activities
  SHINee members trained, recorded, and conducted various activities in this building during their debut and early years, shaping their unique sound and style.
• Activity: Practice & Filming
  SHINee members practiced extensively and filmed various content within this building, marking crucial moments in their artistic development.

Super Junior

• Activity: Debut Preparations and Practice
  Super Junior members trained extensively here, perfecting their dance and vocal skills before their debut and during their early career.
• Activity: Training & Promotional Activities
  Super Junior members trained and conducted various promotional activities at this building, experiencing their formative years and initial success here.

TVXQ!

• Activity: Trainee Period & Early Career
  TVXQ! spent significant time as trainees and during their early career at this building, practicing and recording, making it a foundational location for their legendary status.
• Activity: Training and Recording
  TVXQ! spent their trainee and early debut years practicing and recording their music in this building, laying the foundation for their legendary career.

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