As someone who grew up with SM artists since the 2nd-gen days, seeing SMTOWN LIVE 2025 in LA was surreal. It wasn’t just a concert — it felt like watching different eras of K-pop collide on the same stage. For one night, every corner of the SM universe came alive: from TVXQ! to RIIZE, from tributes to classics to glimpses of the future.
The Present and the Future: Aespa, NCT, and RIIZE Lead the Charge
Aespa’s set — especially “Whiplash” and “Next Level” — instantly lifted the energy in the stadium. Their transitions were tight, vocals confident, and their presence undeniable. In that moment, it was clear why they remain one of the leading acts in the fourth-generation girl group scene — not just for their numbers, but for their command of the stage. Coming right after Hearts2Hearts and RIIZE, their seniority showed, not just in years but in delivery and execution.
NCT’s multi-unit lineup — DREAM, WayV, and 127 — delivered a complete showcase of their range. One standout moment came early with NCT DREAM’s “When I’m With You,” which opened their block with warmth and a sense of connection. And you couldn’t miss it: green lightsticks were everywhere, a visual proof of how deep NCT’s fanbase runs in LA.
RIIZE, meanwhile, feels like they’re right on the verge. The cheers for “Get a Guitar” and “Boom Boom Bass” rivaled those of more senior groups. They’re growing fast — and the audience seemed to know they were witnessing that climb in real time.
Hearts2Hearts, SM’s newest girl group, still felt early in their journey. There was charm, but also some stiffness on stage — a reminder they’re still settling into their identity. But that made them feel real, and their potential was clear. Watching them now makes you curious to see where they’ll be two or three SMTOWNs from now.
Cross-Group Covers: SMTOWN’s Signature Magic
One of the best parts of SMTOWN shows is the unexpected — covers you won’t see anywhere else.
Red Velvet’s “Run Devil Run” brought fresh edge to the Girls’ Generation hit while staying true to its punchy vibe. EXO’s Suho, Chanyeol, and Kai had fun with “Git It Up,” blending tribute and playfulness in a way only they could. But the moment that stayed with me most was TVXQ!’s version of “Psycho.” Their vocals were strong and polished, and the delivery was graceful, almost theatrical. It blurred more than just generations — it challenged the boundaries of how gendered performance styles are usually presented in K-pop. And they did it without overstatement. It was a subtle, confident reinterpretation that stuck.
These cross-group moments didn’t just entertain. They encouraged the audience to look past their bias group — to see the bigger picture of SM’s interconnected universe.
Solo Stages: Ambitious, but Hit-or-Miss
Not every solo moment landed equally. Songs like Suho’s “1 to 3,” Chanyeol’s “Hasta La Vista,” Minho’s “Call Back,” and Key’s “Gasoline” were sincere, but didn’t generate much crowd energy.
Kai’s “Wait on Me” checked the first box. The crowd was locked in — he came in confident, sharp, and ready to own the stage. On the flip side, Key’s “Pleasure Shop” worked because of its groove. Even if you didn’t know the track, the house beat and high-energy choreography made it easy to enjoy.
Artists like Mark — whose solo songs already have reach and replay value — would likely have made stronger impact here. For others, familiar group tracks or collaborative covers might’ve worked better in keeping the crowd unified.
For the 2nd-Gen Fans: A Core Memory
For those of us who’ve been here since the early 2000s, the emotional peaks were different.
And TVXQ!’s “MIROTIC” as the final group performance? Legendary. Not only is it a fan favorite, but it marked the moment SM truly started pushing K-pop globally. TVXQ! was built for that — and seeing them close the show in LA, still commanding a stadium, felt like watching the roots and future of K-pop all at once.
Final Impressions
The production? Flawless. The camera work, LED screens, transitions — all clean, no dead space. Even the way Super Junior naturally filled in the absence of NCT WISH with their humor was seamless. You never felt the pacing drop.
SMTOWN LIVE 2025 wasn’t about delivering a perfect show — it was about honoring the past, showcasing the present, and testing what’s next. It was about seeing the evolution of K-pop, all in one night, on one stage. Whether you came for the rookies or the legends, this concert reminded you: SM still knows how to tell a story. And for fans like me, that story feels personal.
BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
