SM Entertainment, the powerhouse behind K-pop acts like Aespa, NCT and Riize, has brought its training to Singapore, reported CNA.
SM Universe Singapore officially opened on 24 January 2026 at *SCAPE along Orchard Road, following a soft launch in June 2025. Since then, it has run over 70 programmes and trained more than 600 students from over 10 countries.
The academy covers vocals, dance, performance and production. In January, it launched a selective 10-week professional programme. The course ends with a one-week enrichment stint at SM Universe Seoul and offers students the chance to audition for Korean entertainment agencies.
At the opening, Minister for Law Edwin Tong praised the academy for giving young creatives access to top-tier training and international networks.
“It’s one thing to be a professional in the arts in your own space,” he said, “but it’s another to tap into international networks, collaborate, and showcase yourself.” He called SM Universe Singapore an example of Singapore’s commitment to nurturing talent on the global stage.
SM Entertainment CEO Daniel Jang described the Singapore campus as an industry first. “This is the first time a major K-pop company has set up a training institution for both Korean and international students while partnering with overseas institutions,” he said.
Chris Lee, SM’s chief A&R officer, added that K-pop is more than music. “It connects young people across borders and speaks a language of hope and empathy,” he said.
The opening featured performances from students in Singapore and Indonesia, followed by tours of the new facilities. Riize members Anton and Sohee, who were in town for the band’s one-night concert, joined the plaque unveiling alongside dignitaries.
