S.M. expands into exhibition business

S.M. Entertainment, one of the here three major entertainment agencies, said Thursday that it will jump into the global exhibition business to better promote exports of the country’s entertainment content.

“S.M. Entertainment will not be a company that only manages celebrities, produces music, drama series and theater performances like musicals. It will also become a leading exporter of entertainment content. This S.M. ART Exhibition will also be exported (to countries around the world),” Kim Young-min, CEO of S.M. Entertainment, told reporters at a press conference held at COEX.

The company opened the world’s first interactive entertainment exhibition in Seoul Friday in collaboration with global firms. The S.M. Art Exhibition is aimed at presenting various types of entertainment content visualized through state-of-the-art information technology.

“Our artists such as members of Girls’ Generation have collaborated with leading firms such as Samsung and LG Electronics to promote their latest product at global shows like at CES. This time, we brought our artists to the fore, putting their content at the center of attention,” he said.

The list of programs and shows at the exhibition includes “Fantasy Tree” ― a 13-meter-high circular installation consisting of 55 Samsung LED screens ― that shows super-sized S.M. Town artists performing in virtual space; “S.M. Motion” that offers visitors a chance to experience the 360 degree camera technique that was used in the Hollywood movie “Matrix,” and a media show with Hyundai Motors using projection mapping technology. Among the gamut of IT and entertainment offerings is SHINee’s live performance shown in a 3-D panorama theater. Visitors will also have a chance to make video calls and meet stars, peek into artists’ secretive daily lives and view props used in concerts.

As a sideline event, S.M. is holding “S.M. Town Live World Tour III” in Seoul on Aug. 18, a day before the exhibition ends.

S.M.Art Exhibition takes place at COEX, Samseong-dong in Seoul from Aug. 10 to 19. Tickets are 25,000 won and 85,000 won. For ticket purchase, visit www.ticket.auction.co.kr or call 1566-1369.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)