“Through SM CLASSICS LIVE with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, SM Entertainment is paving a new way for K-pop and ushering in a new era for classical music.”
With these words, SHINee’s Minho opened ‘SM CLASSICS LIVE 2025 with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra,’ marking a historic moment as the first-ever orchestra concert to fuse K-pop with classical music. Making the event even more memorable, the concert coincided with SM Entertainment’s exact 30th anniversary on February 14, 2025. Held at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall on the 14th and set to take place at Lotte Concert Hall on the 15th, the concert is conducted by composer Kim Yu-won.
This groundbreaking collaboration between SM Classics, SM Entertainment’s classical and jazz label established in 2020, and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra demonstrates K-pop’s expansion beyond its traditional boundaries. By reinterpreting some of the most iconic songs in SM Entertainment’s history through orchestral arrangements, the event offers a fresh perspective on familiar hits. Over the two-day concert, the orchestra performed 16 songs from legendary artists including BoA, TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, aespa, and Riize. A visually immersive experience was also integrated, with a hologram projection above the orchestra enhancing the storytelling of each piece. On the second day, Red Velvet’s Wendy will make a surprise appearance, performing her solo songs, “Like Water” and “When This Rain Stops.” Both nights conclude with an encore of SM Entertainment’s iconic track, “Hope.”
While the concert showcased a variety of innovative orchestral arrangements, some performances carried deep emotional weight. One of the most moving moments came during the orchestra’s rendition of late SHINee member Jonghyun’s solo song, “End of a Day.” Unlike other pieces that experimented with tempo and genre, this performance remained true to the original composition, allowing the heartfelt lyrics to take center stage. As holograms displayed lines like, “You did a good job today, you worked so hard. I hope my shoulders and my thick hands will become a cozy comfort,” sniffles could be heard throughout the audience. The piece concluded with a wave of passionate applause, underscoring its emotional resonance.
SM Classics' commitment to blending contemporary K-pop with orchestral elements became especially evident in their interpretation of Riize’s “Boom Boom Bass.” Unlike traditional symphony performances, this piece featured an electric bass player on stage, staying true to the song’s signature rhythm. The bold fusion of classical and modern sounds energized the audience, and enthusiastic cheers erupted as the piece came to an end.
Reflecting on the concert’s significance, SM Classics CEO Moon Jung-jae stated, “We’ve been counting down the days for SM Classics and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to showcase our work. We hope that this first orchestra concert in Seoul will pave the way for many more global performances for our international fans.” Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO Jeong Jae-wal echoed this sentiment, saying, “It is exciting that the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and SM Entertainment are finally unveiling the results of our five-year collaboration. We are delighted that this performance can be enjoyed not only by classical music fans but also by K-pop fans.”
With this experimentative concert, SM Classics has proven that K-pop’s influence extends far beyond its traditional realm, transforming familiar hits into orchestral masterpieces that evoke new emotions and redefine musical boundaries. If this event is any indication, the fusion of K-pop and classical music is just beginning—and the global stage may be next for the SM Classics and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.
