- SM UNIVERSE becomes the first South Korean entertainment company to set up a full-scale K-pop education campus in the country.
- The academy offers professional training designed to build industry-ready skills and open global job and career pathways in the creative sector.
- The launch marks the formal entry of Korea’s structured arts education model into regional and international markets.
SM UNIVERSE, the education arm of SM Entertainment, has opened Singapore’s first K-pop training academy, marking a major step in taking Korea’s arts education model overseas. The academy launched on January 24 through a partnership with a local company, becoming the first such initiative by a South Korean entertainment firm outside Korea.
Located at SCAPE, a youth and creative hub on Orchard Road, SM UNIVERSE Singapore offers structured training in vocal, dance, performance, and music composition. The academy aims to equip young talent across Southeast Asia with industry-ready skills and clear pathways into global creative careers.
The launch event was attended by senior SM leaders, including Co-CEO Jang Cheol-hyuk and CAO Lee Sung-soo, along with Singapore’s Minister of Justice and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Edwin Tong, local partners, and SM artists. The presence of policymakers and industry leaders highlighted the academy’s role in linking education with employment opportunities.
Jang said the Singapore campus represents a first for K-pop, as it formally trains both local and international students through a global partnership model. Lee added that K-pop education goes beyond performance, helping young people build confidence, teamwork, creativity, and emotional expression skills valued across industries.
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Minister Tong noted that the partnership supports Singapore’s goal of helping more local artists reach international markets. He said students will gain access to professional mentors, global networks, and high-quality training that can open doors to careers in music, entertainment, and related creative fields.
SM UNIVERSE was created as a joint venture between SM Entertainment and Jongno Academy, a leading education group in Korea. With its 'Beyond Your Dream' vision, the institution blends arts education with technology and global collaboration, positioning creative skills as real career opportunities in the future workforce.
