On January 20, SM Entertainment released a video titled “SM NEXT 3.0: 2026 Future Strategy” on its official YouTube channel SMTOWN, unveiling plans for the launch of a new boy group. The announcement immediately drew widespread attention across social media and online forums.
Many netizens expressed anticipation mixed with humor, leaving comments such as “Another one already?”, “How many trainees does SM even have underground?”, and “Just debut the new boy group already.” The reactions reflected strong curiosity and interest in SM’s next generation of male idols.
However, concerns were also voiced by fans of SM’s existing artists. Some fans commented, “Please focus on RIIZE first,” and “They should prioritize Hearts2Hearts more,” expressing worries that current groups might receive less attention. Others emphasized that long-established artists such as Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, Red Velvet, and SHINee should continue to be properly supported and managed alongside any new debuts.
In the video, SM Entertainment CEO Tak Young-jun provided more details about the debut plan, stating, “One boy group is scheduled to debut in 2026.” He added that members from SMTR25, the company’s male trainee team, would be considered and that the group would be introduced gradually through the variety program Reply High School.
Meanwhile, SM Entertainment also released an official statement on the same day announcing that it is pursuing criminal complaints against individuals who have produced or spread malicious posts targeting its artists, reaffirming the company’s stance on protecting its talent.
Sources: Daum
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