SM Entertainment Becomes Second Largest Shareholder of Great M Entertainment to Support 82MAJOR’s Global Rise

May 23, 2025

SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. has announced its acquisition of shares in Great M Entertainment, making it the second-largest shareholder of the label that houses rising six-member boy group 82MAJOR.

The official share acquisition will be completed on June 27, and SM Entertainment plans to collaborate with Great M’s CEO Kim Young-sun, formerly an Executive Director at FNC Entertainment, to accelerate the group’s global trajectory.

This strategic move is part of SM’s ‘SM 3.0’ vision, particularly its multi-label strategy that focuses on enhancing production autonomy and IP diversification. The investment marks SM’s first external expansion into multi-label partnerships, aimed at fostering new IPs while aligning with multiple musical identities and genres.

Founded by Kim Young-sun in March 2020, Great M Entertainment debuted 82MAJOR in October 2023 after years of intensive training. The group’s name symbolizes Korea’s international dialing code ’82’ and the aspiration to become a ‘major’ player on the global stage.

Musically rooted in hip-hop, 82MAJOR stands out for its members’ active participation in songwriting and composing. The group made a strong impression by appearing on Billboard charts within their debut year, signaling a promising international presence.

Most recently, with their third mini-album and its lead single “TAKEOVER,” 82MAJOR has demonstrated powerful live performances and growing fan engagement. Tickets for their upcoming June concert in Korea sold out quickly, and their first solo U.S. tour scheduled for this summer is fueling anticipation among North American fans.

Through this new initiative, SM Entertainment is not only expanding its talent portfolio but also reinforcing its commitment to musical experimentation and international market growth. More label acquisitions and investments are expected in the future as part of this wider strategy.

SM 3.0 envisions a decentralized production system where various creative centers operate independently, fostering a rich and diverse music ecosystem geared towards both sustainability and global outreach.