SM Entertainment's Artist Development Center shared the rare and intriguing casting story of Wonbin, a member of RIIZE, during the special program 'K-POP The Beginning: SMTOWN 30'. Known for his exceptional visuals, Wonbin caught the attention of the company early on.
The director revealed that when they first saw a video of Wonbin, they immediately recognized his potential. She explained, "We found out he was living in Ulsan. Typically, trainees come to the company on their own, but we were worried other agencies might scout him the moment he arrived in Seoul. So, we sent staff to personally escort him from Seoul Station, which is something we almost never do."
The program, commemorating SM's 30th anniversary, highlighted the company's journey through performances, archive footage, and interviews with key artists and industry professionals. Hosted by BoA and SHINee’s Key, the show featured segments on major SM artists like SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, and aespa, illustrating the evolution of SM's signature music and concepts.
In addition, SM announced that a 17-track album, including the new group song ‘Thank You’, will be released on various music platforms on February 14, marking the anniversary of the company's founding.
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