About
SMTR25 is SM Entertainment’s revamped trainee project, unveiled in 2025 as the next evolution of the SMROOKIES system. The name “SM Trainees 25,” in which S stood for SM Entertainment, TR for “trainees” and 25 for the number of trainees, introduced during SMTOWN Live 2025.
As of April 6, 2025, 11 members have been officially revealed, each with an introduction film, and they are expected to debut in SM’s next-generation boy group in early 2026.
Biography
- Group name: SMTR25
- Company: SM Entertainment
- Number of members: 25 (estimated)
To stay updated on SMTR25’s journey, fans can follow them on:
- Instagram: @smtr25_official
- X (Formerly Twitter): @SMTR25_official
- YouTube: @SMTR25
- TikTok: @smtr25official
SMTR25 Member’s Profile
Introduced Trainees
Nicholas
Birth Name: Nicholas Hakrae Lee
Date of Birth: December 27, 2004
Nationality: Korean, American
Songha
Birth Name: Lee Song-ha
Date of Birth: April 19, 2004
Nationality: Korean
Haruta
Birth Name: Haruta
Date of Birth: March 5, 2006
Nationality: Japanese
Daniel
Birth Name: Lee Daniel
Date of Birth: August 11, 2005
Nationality: Korean
Hanbi
Birth Name: Lee Han-bi
Date of Birth: October 24, 2003
Nationality: Korean
Kassho
Birth Name: Kassho
Date of Birth: January 20, 2006
Nationality: Japanese
Tata
Birth Name: Jiranchai Sereeviriyakun
Date of Birth: April 1, 2008
Nationality: Thai
Justin
Birth Name: Takagi Justin Jay
Date of Birth: January 27, 2006
Nationality: Japanese
Notable: Former member of the pre-debut BigHit/Pledis boy group Trainee A and the Japanese boy group AMEZARI -RED STAR- (formerly known as American Crayfish).
Hyunjun
Birth Name: Oh Hyun-jun
Date of Birth: February 12, 2006
Nationality: Korean
Pre-Debut Activities
During the first day of the SMTOWN LIVE 2025 concert in Seoul, male trainees performed on stage, where Kassho and Haruta, who previously participated in “NCT Universe: LASTART,” appeared, confirming that they had remained with SM Entertainment. Additionally, JJ, a former member of BigHit Music’s boy group debut team Trainee A, also took part in the performance, solidifying previous speculations about his transfer to SM.
Furthermore, it was revealed through the Instagram of Sakura Kitazume, member of the girl group RIRYDAY and former “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN” contestant, that her younger brother, Kitazume Riku, also appeared on stage with the trainees.
According to reports from Korean audience members, one trainee who appeared was also a former contestant eliminated in the finale of “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SEASON 2.” That trainee was later identified as Daigo Kobayashi, a former member of TO1. It appears that after his contract with WAKEONE ended in 2023, he rejoined SM Entertainment as a trainee.
Speculations About The Boy Group Plans
Given these circumstances, there is a high possibility that these male trainees are being prepared as members of SM’s Japan-localized boy group, which is planned separately from NCT WISH.
Although some speculate that a few of the trainees may appear in upcoming boy group survival shows such as “Boys II Planet,” scheduled to air in 2025, the likelihood is low due to SM’s known reluctance to expose its trainees through audition shows. Notably, none of SM’s male or female trainees have participated in the Produce 101 series, which sparked the audition program boom. Therefore, it’s more likely that SM does not feel the need to involve its trainees in such shows.
However, with the decline of the male trainee talent pool in smaller agencies and the reality that not all of the 25 publicly introduced male trainees are guaranteed to debut, along with the absence of former chief producer Lee Soo-man, it’s possible that SM’s internal direction may shift.
Historically, SM has rarely included Southeast Asian artists, but among the SMTR25 members, there are several Thai trainees. Given SM’s previously announced plans to launch localized idol groups in Southeast Asia, there is a strong possibility that they may form a Thailand-based boy group centered around these Thai trainees.
