A new academy has emerged in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, known as the "epicenter of private education" in South Korea. It is called SM Universe (SMU) and was established by SM Entertainment with the goal of fostering global pop culture artists. Its objective is to train not only idols and artists in the producing field but also stars from various other fields such as modeling and acting. To simultaneously provide academic education for students in grades 3 to 11, SM Universe has partnered with Jongno Academy, a specialized academy for entrance exams. Let's take a closer look at the background of this new academy that combines mainstream culture and education, and explore why SM, known for creating the K-pop idol system, has ventured into "private education."
Although SM Universe's regular education program started this month, SM Entertainment had been envisioning this plan for quite some time. SM Entertainment is a leading agency that systematized the entertainment industry, which was previously operated in an ad hoc manner during the 1990s. Alongside JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment, SM Entertainment has been praised for reshaping the idol industry and expanding the diversity of K-pop content. In 2016, SM Entertainment established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jongno Academy with the goal of transforming the cultural technology accumulated by the agency into a program and developing an education program to nurture global artists. This led to the creation of an educational institution called "K-pop School" or "SM Institute," providing a talent development curriculum for students aspiring to become popular culture artists.
Originally, the plan was to create a "school" that combines online and offline education, regular curriculum, and classes on popular culture. However, due to domestic regulations, the direction shifted to an "academy" model. At the time, Choi Jin-young, the representative of SM Institute, stated, "To become a popular culture artist, a significant amount of practice time and practical training is essential. Many students give up their studies because of this." He also expressed the plan to support students in realizing their dreams of becoming global stars without sacrificing their academic pursuits, and to explore various career paths through the discovery of talents and competencies during the training process.
In reality, among trainees at entertainment agencies, many find it difficult to balance their academic studies and trainee life, leading them to give up regular education and pass the qualification exam for high school graduation. SM Entertainment has also witnessed cases where artists like Karina from ESPA had to give up their studies and take the qualification exam to focus on their music activities. With the curriculum developed based on the expertise accumulated by SM Entertainment, SM Institute aims to support students who want to immerse themselves in the arts to concentrate on their major courses while meeting the qualifications for university entrance exams. Through this process, SM Institute has evolved into "SM Culture Universe" (SMCU) and transformed into an academy named "SM Universe."
The establishment of SM Universe (SMU), an academy aimed at cultivating "K-Stars," has emerged in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, known as the "Mecca of Private Education" in South Korea. Founded by SM Entertainment with the goal of nurturing global pop culture artists, SM Universe aims to train not only idols and artists in the producing field but also stars from various fields such as modeling and acting. To ensure that the academic studies of students from the 3rd grade of middle school to the 2nd grade of high school are not neglected, SM Universe has partnered with Jongno Academy, a specialized entrance exam preparatory institute. So, what led to the creation of this new form of academy that combines popular culture and education? Let's take a closer look at what kind of education takes place here and why SM, known for establishing the K-Pop idol system, has brought out the card of "private education" in a full-fledged manner.
Although the regular education program of SM Universe started this month, SM Entertainment has been envisioning this for quite some time. As one of the leading planning agencies that systematized the entertainment industry, which operated in a rather ad hoc manner in the 1990s, SM Entertainment is praised for restructuring the idol industry and expanding the diversity of K-Pop content, along with JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment. In 2016, SM Entertainment signed an MOU with Jongno Academy with the goal of programming the cultural technology accumulated by the agency and developing an educational program to foster global artists. This marked the beginning of their efforts to create an educational institution called the "K-Pop School" or "SM Institute" that provides talent development curricula to students aspiring to become popular culture artists.
Originally, the goal was to create a "school" that combines online and offline education, regular curriculum, and popular culture classes. However, due to domestic legal regulations, they changed the direction to an "academy." At the time, Choi Jin-young, the CEO of SM Institute, stated, "In order to become a popular culture artist, extensive practice and practical training are absolutely necessary. Many students give up their academic studies because of this." She further explained, "Our plan is to support students in realizing their dreams of becoming global stars without giving up their studies and help them explore various career paths through the talents and abilities discovered during the training process."
In reality, among trainees of talent agencies, it is common for them to give up their regular education and complete their education through the GED (General Educational Development) test while focusing on their trainee life. As seen in the case of SM Entertainment, artists like Karina of aespa gave up their studies and took the GED to devote themselves to their music activities. SM Institute, based on the curriculum they have accumulated, aims to support students who are determined to immerse themselves in the arts to focus on their major classes while also meeting the qualifications for university entrance exams. It is through this process that SM Universe aims to provide a balanced education that nurtures both artistic talent and academic excellence. The academy's curriculum is designed to accommodate the demanding training schedules of aspiring artists while ensuring they receive a well-rounded education.
At SM Universe, students engage in intensive training in various disciplines such as singing, dancing, acting, modeling, and producing. The K-Pop track focuses on developing skills in vocals, dance, and music production, preparing students for a career in the music industry. The K-Stage track, on the other hand, hones students' abilities in modeling and acting, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in the entertainment field. The academy's faculty includes experienced professionals and industry experts who provide specialized training and guidance to the students.
To address the academic needs of the students, SM Universe has partnered with Jongno Academy, a renowned preparatory institute in South Korea. This collaboration ensures that students receive proper academic instruction and preparation for university entrance exams. Through a customized education plan, students are able to pursue their passion for the arts without compromising their academic studies. This approach allows them to explore various career paths and opportunities beyond their artistic endeavors.
The establishment of SM Universe reflects the growing recognition and influence of K-Pop and Korean popular culture on a global scale. SM Entertainment, being one of the leading entertainment companies in South Korea, recognizes the need to provide comprehensive training and education to nurture the next generation of talented individuals in the industry. By integrating education and popular culture, SM Universe aims to shape well-rounded artists who can thrive in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.
Furthermore, SM Universe offers international exchange programs and opportunities for students to showcase their talents on a global stage. This exposure to diverse cultures and audiences helps students develop a global perspective and prepares them for potential international careers.
As the first-of-its-kind academy in South Korea, SM Universe has generated significant interest and attention. Many aspiring artists and their parents see it as a unique opportunity to receive professional training and education under the guidance of industry experts. The academy's approach of combining popular culture and education has the potential to revolutionize talent development in the entertainment industry.
In conclusion, SM Universe represents an innovative approach to talent development, blending education and popular culture. By providing specialized training, academic support, and international exposure, the academy aims to nurture the next generation of global pop culture stars. As the academy continues to evolve and produce talented individuals, it will likely have a significant impact on the future of the entertainment industry and contribute to the further globalization of K-Pop and Korean popular culture.