In a surprise move, SM Entertainment has launched verified TikTok and Instagram accounts as well as trademarks under the name PinkBlood. Read on for more on what to expect from this possible new group.

SM Entertainment applied for the “PINKBLOOD” trademark (as well as its Korean spelling, “핑크블러드”) on May 11, 2021 under several classification codes. At first, fans didn’t think much of it, since SM Entertainment has a habit of trademarking multiple names that never get used; “SPRY”, “LYFE”, “FRNZ”, and “WHITE FOX” are all SM Entertainment trademarks that were once presumed to be group names.

However, everything changed when it was revealed that SM Entertainment has now launched two social media accounts for PinkBlood, complete with a glitzy, retro-style pink logo. Accounts under the handle @pinkinmyblood now appear on TikTok and Instagram, and the TikTok account is already verified.

The TikTok account also links to the Instagram account, proving its legitimacy. While there’s no account on popular social media platform Twitter yet, this could be because the PinkBlood handle is already taken by another Twitter user.

There’s just one problem: as of right now, there’s no confirmation or indication of what PinkBlood actually is. Given that the trademark is registered under classification code 41 (which has only been used for artists and fanclubs so far), it seems likely that PinkBlood will be a music project. But if it’s a new group, who will be in it? Thankfully, fans have plenty of good theories.

1. A Girls’ Generation unit?

One popular idea is that PinkBlood could be the third Girls’ Generation subunit. The group’s first unit, Girls’ Generation-TTS (composed of Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun) debuted in 2012. Then, after several members terminated their contracts with SM Entertainment, the company debuted Girls’ Generation-Oh!GG (Taeyeon, Sunny, Hyoyeon, Yuri, and Yoona) in 2018.

Now, fans have been speculating that Hyoyeon and Yuri might be forming a unit together. Recently, Yuri hinted that she has a project in the works with a fellow Girls’ Generation member that’s been delayed since 2019. Hyoyeon, meanwhile, alluded to upcoming Girls’ Generation activities earlier this year.

That said, it would be unusual for SM Entertainment to create new social media channels for a subunit. While many NCT units have their own Twitter and Instagram accounts, regular group subunits like Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi and EXO-SC do not.

2. An aespa project?

Another theory is that PinkBlood could be related to aespa. Yesterday, aespa’s official Twitter account linked to a series of aespa #LaLaLa_Dance challenge TikTok videos. If you’re not familiar with the platform, when you send a link to a TikTok video, your account handle is displayed at the top of the screen. The account that linked to aespa’s TikTok videos was none other than PinkBlood’s account, @pinkinmyblood.

However, fans aren’t sure how PinkBlood could be related to aespa. Given that the group debuted just seven months ago, it seems unlikely that they’d be forming a subunit this early into their career—especially with just four members. One idea some fans have theorized is that aespa could be adding new members to its line-up and forming subunits similar to NCT.

When SM Entertainment revealed that the universe aespa’s concept is set in would be called KWANGYA, several fans speculated that it could be a hint towards a seven-member group. Karina, Winter, Ningning, and Giselle‘s initials form four letters of KWANGYA, leaving the possibility of members whose names begin with A, A, and Y. That said, “kwangya” is also the Korean word for wilderness, so it’s possible the initials are just a coincidence.

3. A female SuperM?

Perhaps the most highly-desired theory so far is that PinkBlood may be a female version of SuperM. Formed in 2019, SuperM is a project between SM Entertainment and Capitol Music Group that brings together members from several boy groups under the company: SHINee‘s Taemin, EXO‘s Baekhyun and Kai, NCT127‘s Taeyong and Mark, and WayV‘s Ten and Lucas.

Since the group’s inception, fans have long been hoping for a female version of the supergroup comprising members of Girls’ Generation, Red Velvet, and aespa as well as soloists. Some of the most popular speculated candidates include Red Velvet’s Seulgi, Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon, and BoA.

The name PinkBlood would definitely work given that SM Entertainment’s official color has long been pink despite many logo changes. The taglines “Pink in My Blood” and “Pink Blood is Running” could easily represent the SM Entertaining “blood” running through its artists’ veins.

4. Mystic Story’s new girl group?

Earlier this month, Mystic Story confirmed it will be debuting a new six-member girl group this year. The group will be headed by former Produce 101 contestant and A-TEEN actress Kim Suhyun as well as ASTRO Moonbin‘s younger sister, former Unpretty Rapstar contestant Moon Sua. But what many people don’t know is that Mystic Story is owned by SM Entertainment.

PinkBlood definitely sounds like an appropriate name for a rookie girl group, but there are still some snags in this theory. For one, since Mystic Story is its own company despite being a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, some are unsure whether SM Entertainment would be the ones trademarking the group’s name. On top of this, fans are also skeptical that the social media manager for Mystic Story’s new girl group would be the same person running aespa’s social media too.

5. A new boy group or NCT unit?

Last but not least, there are also some fans who think PinkBlood could be a new boy group (expected to debut this year) or a new NCT unit.

While the pink color and heart-shaped logo lean more towards traditionally feminine, there’s nothing inherently female about any color or shape. As such, there is a possibility that PinkBlood could be SM Entertainment’s newest boy group or a new subunit for NCT. However, this seems to be the least popular theory so far.