SM Entertainment (hereafter SM)'s classical & jazz label SM Classics (SM Classics) successfully wrapped up "SM CLASSICS LIVE 2025 in TOKYO" at Tokyo International Forum Hall A in Japan on Sept. 15.
This concert was the first overseas schedule of the "SM CLASSICS LIVE 2025/26 season" and is significant as an example of SM Classics' original IP making its first entry onto the global classical stage.
"Welcome To SMCU PALACE" opened the concert, which ramped up the atmosphere with Red Velvet's "Red Flavor", NCT U's "Make A Wish", BoA's "Tree", EXO's "Growl", aespa's "Black Mamba", Dongbang's "Rising Sun" and other songs; Ryeowook took the stage to present lyrical performances such as "The Little Prince" and "You Don't Have to Do Anything"; and the concert concluded with climactic performances including SHINee's "Sherlock", NCT's "Golden Age" and Girls' Generation's "Into the New World".
Notably, Ryeowook, who appeared as a collaborating performer in this concert, unveiled the orchestra versions of "The Little Prince" and "Dorothy" for Japanese fans for the first time, and Lee Teuk, who took part as master of ceremonies and commentator, conveyed listening points of the pieces in an easy and engaging way, helping the audience immerse themselves more easily in the performance.
Lee Teuk and Ryeowook shared their impressions, saying, "We felt shivers throughout the performance from the unique power of music that only SM Classics offers, and it was moving. It was meaningful to be able to take part in this concert."
The "New Japan Philharmonic," which provided harmony in this concert, is an orchestra founded in 1972 that has pioneered musical worlds across various genres with world-class figures since its founding, and for this performance presented SM's representative songs in full orchestra with conductor Hideaki Matsumura, who has collaborated with major Japanese orchestras.
As the world's first K-pop orchestra concert, SM Classics' flagship performance brand "SM CLASSICS LIVE," which has received calls from around the world since its first show in February, will meet global music fans in various regions worldwide, following the Seoul and Tokyo performances, with a Vienna, Austria performance scheduled for Feb. 2026.
SM Classics is actively launching a performance and sheet music IP licensing business and is spreading SM Classics' original IP around the world.
[Photo] Provided by SM Entertainment.
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