Singer Kangta, who debuted with first-generation idol group H.O.T. and helped build the golden era of SM Entertainment, recently announced that he has renewed his contract with SM. 

This is a particularly meaningful update, not simply because Kangta is one of SM’s longest-standing artists, but because he is also expanding his role as a non-registered board director and a chief producer overseeing projects for junior artists. In other words, he’s been entrusted with the significant role of bridging SM’s past and future.

Since 2014, Kangta has served as a creative director within SM, and he is currently active as chief producer of the producing label Smash Hit, which operates as an in-house company (CIC) under KMR, a subsidiary of SM Entertainment. KMR is headed by Lee Sung Su, who became CEO in July 2023 and is focusing on professionalizing A&R functions he previously oversaw at SM. 

Through Smash Hit, Kangta has become a reliable presence for many junior artists and songwriters, drawing on his extensive experience both as an H.O.T. member and solo artist.

Kangta’s recent production work includes NCT Doyoung’s “Warmth” and Kim Woo Jin’s “Hold," both of which received warm responses from fans. These collaborations were especially notable for crossing generational lines between SM’s veteran and younger idols. But more than that, the songs were praised for their emotional ballad sensibility, a hallmark of Kangta’s style. The organic Korean lyrics and calm melodies drew comparisons to his past hits like “Polaris” and “Doll,” both of which he wrote and composed.

According to SM, Kangta has completed over 100 songs since 2023 through various song camps, solo projects, and on/offline sessions. More recently, he contributed to My Trot’s “It’s Difficult,” a project from a collaboration between SM and TV Chosun, as well as to Baek Ji Young’s title track “Indeed, It Was Love” for her 25th-anniversary mini-album.

Kangta is also actively involved in discovering and mentoring new songwriters. He’s helping to cultivate a new generation of talent, such as Chamane, who contributed lyrics to RIIZE’s “Love 119” and “Boom Boom Bass,” and Hyun, who gained recognition for NCT Jaehyun’s “Unconditional” and “Roses.”

Having spent nearly 30 years with SM, Kangta has witnessed and contributed to the company’s transformation. SM was founded in 1995, and H.O.T. debuted the following year with Kangta as the group’s main vocalist. His powerful visuals, vocal skills, and musical talent made him immensely popular. H.O.T. quickly became a cultural and social phenomenon, representing the early business potential of K-pop and introducing the “idol” concept to Korean music. They were also the first and only idol group to achieve double million-seller status with a single album, and they helped coin the term “Hallyu” by expanding into Chinese-speaking markets.

Having experienced the birth, growth, and evolution of K-pop, Kangta is now playing a central role in shaping SM’s future. He commented, “I’m happy to continue this relationship with SM, which has supported me since my trainee days and has always cheered me on without change. I will keep doing my best to show my growth as both an artist and a producer.”

Recently, 2nd-generation legends TVXQ also renewed their contracts with SM, reaffirming their trust in the company, and BoA, known as the “Star of Asia,” has become a core part of SM’s identity beyond just being an artist. Collaboration between artists from the 1st to 5th generations fosters creative synergy and has a positive impact on junior artists while also enhancing SM’s credibility as a company.

One industry insider noted, “Artists with long careers naturally gain a broad range of skills and sensibilities, allowing them to grow into producer roles. They can become excellent mentors for junior artists and provide stability. Long-term relationships with the company create a win-win dynamic and become an important model for sustainable growth.”

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