SM Entertainment Announces Upcoming “SMTOWN” Lineup — But Netizens Aren’t Happy

While SM Entertainment‘s SMTOWN concerts are normally a hot topic for global fans, a recent lineup announcement of the show in Jakarta has received negative responses.

On July 26 (KST), SM Entertainment’s official Twitter page announced the lineup for their upcoming concert in Jakarta in September.

When the poster was announced, the first thing netizens noticed was the lack of “Iconic” SM artists. While TVXQ! and Super Junior were included, other popular acts like EXO, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, and soloists like BoA and Kangta were not mentioned.

No exo, snsd and shinee… 🧍🏻 most of the soloists who performed @ last yr's smtown live were from those groups 🧍🏻 pic.twitter.com/HIo6FJaE1i

— ⛓️🐼⛓️ (@dinniebur) July 26, 2023

no BoA, no kangkta, no snsd, no shinee, no exo, no DJ itumah bukan smtown bang tapi SMini https://t.co/guaU41wd9z

— Nunanya Icung (@AndyPark23) July 26, 2023

no snsd, no shinee, no exo is this really smtown if their legendary groups are not going to be there? 🫢 https://t.co/iZER08CLTC pic.twitter.com/ICw9m5xOMd

— 🥀 (@soft_for_exo) July 26, 2023

Many also pointed out that by combining all the artists, there were only nine female idols in the show.

no boa and snsd????

red velvet + aespa = there's only 9 women….. https://t.co/Ia4yJyEHd2

— Sunshine (@sunshine_080507) July 26, 2023

In particular, attention was shined on EXO’s omission. While the past few months have not been smooth sailing between SM and the members of EXO CBX, it was seemingly sorted out when disputes were resolved, and the members resigned from the company. It meant that netizens couldn’t hide their shock and anger when the entire group was omitted from the concert.

The phrase “No EXO” was trending on Twitter, with fans sharing their reactions to the surprising announcement.

No EXO, no SHINee, no GG, no party!!
It's not SMTOWN without them. pic.twitter.com/7RwJqJR1eQ

— デス (@kenaparupanyaa) July 26, 2023

EXO LEAVE SM ENTERTAINMENT 🥳 pic.twitter.com/GlsBa7SUSx

— 큥이빛✴︎ (@kyoongpride) July 26, 2023

I know sm hate exo but this is the first smtown con with no exo, not even their soloists included haha so ig we're so close to our manifestation… 🤭

— bria 💫 (@erixexo9) July 26, 2023

In particular, one fansite seemingly saw that after the announcement was made, the stocks for SM Entertainment had dropped.

SM Entertainment ends their trading day with a red. 6.41% was lost to SM Entertainment in a single day, July 26.

Last June, SM Entertainment lost nearly 200 Billion KRW in a single day after EXO-CBX's Contract Termination with almost the same deficit of loss. pic.twitter.com/8X9zaXF5TE

— ✴︎ EXO Chart & News Update (@exocnu) July 26, 2023

Yet, it wasn’t just the omission of EXO that meant that fans had conflicting views toward the lineup.

When it came to girl group aespa, netizens noticed that the show was in the midst of their upcoming world tour. It would mean that the members would be traveling, and the schedule didn’t allow them time for proper rehearsal or to even cope with the jet lag that would arise.

sept 23 – smtown in jakarta
sept 25 – synk hyper line in germany

aespa dont get sick 🥺 https://t.co/Ia4yJyEHd2 pic.twitter.com/hT8hkRBqrL

— Sunshine (@sunshine_080507) July 26, 2023

scheduling a company concert in the middle of a hectic us/eu tour tells us a lot abt the lack of care sm has for aespa. they could use that day to adjust to the jet lag and perfect their rehearsals or even lounging around before concert but alas!

— ✌︎ (@KARINATI0NS) July 26, 2023

While it’s not as surprising that Girls’ Generation is not attending, as the members are all signed to different companies and busy with schedules, one person was surprisingly missed out, and it was Taeyeon.

Taeyeon is still signed to SM Entertainment and normally attends these events.

When the poster was shared, combining this with past posts from the idol following the drama with the company and shares, many thought it could be a sign the female idol might not resign from the company.

For the first time taeyeon’s not in the setlist for SMTOWN concert omg… taeyeon leaving SM??? pic.twitter.com/mpKEHsZI6T

— ﹢ (@piscesgirI39) July 26, 2023

Even when it came to the members of NCT, netizens shared their concerns. In particular, one fan pointed out that member Jaehyun was missing a huge fashion event in Milan for the event, but he was only probably going to be performing two songs with NCT 127.

now tell me one good reason why jaehyun should be here instead of milan since 1) djj is not in the lineup 2) 127 are gonna perform two songs at best 3) the last nct lineup he was in was in 2020 4) they never include him in special collabs/special albums either https://t.co/PCFhfJulum

— 🐈‍⬛ (@vampyun) July 26, 2023

Hope you don't mess up Jaehyun's solo schedule @NCTsmtown 🙏 You didn't let him fly for the previous edition, hope better sense prevails. https://t.co/VXn2OlSF5B pic.twitter.com/BPHJCH4d0N

— .🪻 (@sortedchaos_) July 26, 2023

For many fans, SMTOWN is always hotly anticipated. Yet, while SM Entertainment has had a lot of negativity over the past few months, it seems like the company has not done itself any favors with the announcement.