Taeyeon (left) and Red Velvet’s Wendy | Image: Instagram/@taeyeon_ss, @todayis_wendy
Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and Red Velvet’s Wendy have voiced their disappointment over SM Entertainment’s lack of communication and support, which led to their absence from the agency’s 30th-anniversary concert “SMTown Live 2025 in Seoul,” scheduled for this weekend.
Last month, SM Entertainment announced Taeyeon’s withdrawal from the concert, citing “personal reasons.” While her name had been included in the lineup and promotional poster, fans were later informed of her absence. The company, apologizing for the inconvenience, offered refunds without cancellation fees.
Taeyeon denied claims that her withdrawal stemmed from a lack of willingness to perform.
“I was eager to perform and wanted to sing two to three songs at the concert. I shared my plan with the company and waited,” Taeyeon told fans via the communication platform Bubble. “It’s not because I lack enthusiasm or didn’t want to do it. I have genuine love and dedication for the stage, but I’m seriously considering this because I didn’t receive the support to do my best.”
“The company might have its reasons, but forgetting to communicate can indeed be problematic,” she added.
Wendy expressed frustration after her withdrawal was announced just five days before the event.
“Red Velvet’s Wendy will not appear in ‘SMTown Live 2025 in Seoul’ due to personal reasons,” a local ticketing site, Melon Ticket, announced Monday.
Wendy later revealed on social media that discussions with the company about her absence had taken place over a month before.
“I spoke with the company about this a month ago, but the notice only went up today,” Wendy said.
SM Entertainment did not provide specific reasons for either Taeyeon or Wendy’s absence, stating only that both were due to “personal reasons.” It also declined to comment on possible conflict with the two artists.
“There is nothing more we can provide regarding the two artists’ absence from the concert besides our announcement,” an SM Entertainment official said Tuesday.
“SMTown Live 2025 in SEOUL” will take place at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Jan. 11-12, featuring numerous artists represented by the K-pop powerhouse such as Kangta, BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, SHINee’s Key and Minho, EXO’s Suho and Chanyeol, Red Velvet, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, aespa, RIIZE, NCT WISH, Naevis and DJ Raiden.