SM Entertainment Revenue Surges 33%, Fueled by aespa and NCT WISH

Led by concerts and music releases from aespa and NCT WISH, SM Entertainment revenue rose to 321.6 billion KRW ($237.3 million), up 32.8% from the prior year period, in the third quarter of 2025, the company announced Thursday. Operating profit jumped 262% to 48.2 billion KRW ($35.6 million) and net income soared 1,100% to 44.7 billion KRW ($33 million). 

“In this quarter…our leading artists have continued to prove their solid capabilities while new IPs are growing rapidly and adding fresh energy to the company,” CEO Cheol-hyuk Jang said during Thursday’s earnings call. “This generational synergy further reinforces the foundation of our IP portfolio, exemplifying the virtuous cycle of a sustainable IP ecosystem that SM Entertainment aims to build.”

Recorded music rose 32.7% to 96.7 billion KRW ($71.4 million). New album sales grew to 5.42 million from 3.61 million in the third quarter of 2024. NCT WISH’S COLOR – The 3rd Mini Album, sold 1.48 million units while aespa’s 6th mini album, Rich Man, sold 1.13 million units. SM Entertainment does not break out streaming performance. 

Concert revenue rose 37.5% to 52.5 billion KRW ($38.7 million) despite SM Entertainment having fewer concerts compared to the prior-year period. RIIZE’s RIIZING LOUD tour had 20 shows during the quarter in Seoul, Japan, and Hong Kong. NCT DREAM performed 8 concerts in Seoul and Thailand. Super Junior had 6 shows in Seoul, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Merchandise and licensing revenue rose 32.8% to 50.3 billion KRW ($37.1 million) on the strength of concert merchandise and pop-up retail stores. The company cited aespa’s concert merchandise and light stick sales and pop-up stores from aespa, NCT WISH and Super Junior.

Looking ahead, Jang provided details of SMTR25, an “artist incubation project” intended to help SM Entertainment expand globally. SMTR25 has 15 trainees who are taking part in a new reality TV series, Reply High School, that will be released in the first half of 2026. SMTR25 also released an original content series, W.O.W! (Way Outta Walls) a travel series produced with support from the Korean Tourism Organization. 

Jang also highlighted the early success of a young SM Entertainment group, Hearts2Hearts. “Within a short period of time, Hearts2Hearts has proven its capabilities across all fronts — musical success, fandom growth, and brand influence — solidifying its position as SM Entertainment’s next-generation global IP,” he said.