SM Faces Repeated Global Concert Disruptions... Taeyeon and NCT WISH Unable to Perform

Visa Approval Delays and Equipment Transportation Issues Are the Causes

Group NCT WISH was unable to perform on the stage of 'SM Town Live 2025 in L.A.' due to visa issues. SM Entertainment

Overseas concert schedules for artists under SM Entertainment have been repeatedly disrupted. Following the cancellation of singer Taeyeon's concert in Japan last month, the boy group NCT WISH was unable to participate in their U.S. performance due to visa issues.

NCT WISH is a six-member boy group that debuted at Tokyo Dome in Japan in February this year and is currently active in both Korea and Japan. On the 10th (local time), SM announced via its official social media channels, "NCT WISH will not be able to perform on the stage of 'SM Town Live 2025 in LA' due to a delay in visa approval." The company added, "Although all procedures for visa issuance, including document submission and interviews, were diligently followed, the group was unable to obtain visas due to an unexpected delay in approval."

'SM Town Live 2025 in LA' is a global concert commemorating the 30th anniversary of SM's founding. After starting with a performance in Seoul in January, the tour continued to Mexico City and was held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles (LA), United States, on the 11th. Major artists such as TVXQ, aespa, and NCT 127 performed, but NCT WISH was unable to take the stage.

Taeyeon held a solo concert at The Venetian Arena in Macau on April 26-27. SM Entertainment

Previously, SM also canceled Taeyeon's concert scheduled for April 19 and 20 at Ariake in Tokyo, Japan, just one day before the event. At the time, SM stated, "The equipment used for the Asia tour did not arrive in Japan," and explained, "We were inevitably forced to cancel the Tokyo concert because it was difficult to secure a venue that could accommodate the appropriate number of attendees and provide a high-quality stage." All ticket holders were informed that they would receive a full refund.

Meanwhile, on the 7th, SM announced that its overseas concert revenue for the first quarter of this year was 39 billion won, an increase of 58% compared to the same period last year. This accounts for approximately 17% of the company's total revenue. SM has identified concert tours and the expansion of its global business as core strategies.