Taeyeon and Wendy Absent from SM’s 30th Anniversary Concert Amid Controversy
Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and Red Velvet’s Wendy will not participate in SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary concert, which is set to feature a wide range of artists from SM’s past and present, including trainees.
On January 6, both Taeyeon and Wendy took to fan communication platforms to address their absence from the upcoming ‘SMTOWN LIVE 2025 in SEOUL’ concert, scheduled for January 11-12 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.
Taeyeon’s Explanation
Taeyeon revealed that she had expressed her desire to perform two or three songs and was waiting for the company to prepare, but ultimately, “they didn’t prepare anything, so I couldn’t participate at all.” She emphasized, “It’s absolutely not because I lack motivation or don’t want to do it,” and explained that she was sharing this to prevent any misunderstandings among fans.
In response to a fan’s suggestion that the company might have had its reasons, Taeyeon replied, “They said they forgot to pass along the request, so I guess it must have been difficult for them.”
Wendy’s Late Notice
Wendy’s absence was announced just days before the concert, causing disappointment among fans. She later shared, “The conversation with the company happened over a month ago, but the notice was only posted today,” expressing her apologies to fans who were expecting a full Red Velvet performance.
Fan Reactions and Criticism
Many fans have voiced their criticism, pointing out the lack of consideration for both the artists and their supporters. The situation has highlighted communication issues within the company.
Concert Details
The 30th anniversary concert is set to feature a star-studded lineup including BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee members, EXO members, NCT units, aespa, RIIZE, and even 25 trainees. Former SM artists like Tony An from H.O.T., Bada from S.E.S., and Hwanhee from Fly to the Sky are also scheduled to perform. There are even rumors that SM’s founder, Lee Soo-man, has been invited.
However, the absence of long-standing core artists like Girls Generation Taeyeon and Red Velvet Wendy has led to ongoing criticism from fans, who question the company’s priorities in organizing this milestone event.
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