In the entertainment industry, SM Entertainment is usually praised as the home to top vocalists such as SNSD Taeyeon, Super Junior Kyuhyun, EXO Chen, etc., in the K-pop scene. As a result, the agency launched SM The Ballad, a project group composed of artists with heavenly vocals, in 2010.
More than a decade after, what happened to the group, and where are the members now?
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In 2010 and 2014, two-generation of SM The Ballad was produced, wherein the group is comprised of the top vocalists under SM Entertainment.
The group was initially comprised of TRAX Jay, SM trainee Jino (hereinafter PENTAGON Jinho), SHINee Jonghyun, and Super Junior Kyuhyun, wherein they debuted in 2010 with an album "Miss You." It comprised the title track of the same name, along with other four tracks, "Hot Times," Love Again," "Another Day," and "Don't Lie."
Due to popular demand, SM Entertainment announced the ballad unit's comeback in 2014; however, it is a new lineup with only Jonghyun as the original member.
In that year, TVXQ Changmin, Super Junior Yesung, SNSD Taeyeon, Zhang Liyin, Super Junior-M Zhoumi f(x) Krystal, and EXO Chen joined the SHINee member and debuted with "Breath," a chart-topping album comprised title track with the same name, and other tracks including "Blind," "Set Me Free," "When I Was... When U Were...," and "A Day Without You."
Following the comeback, it has been seven years since SM The Ballad had any release, so where are the members now?
Here Are the Current Activities of the SM The Ballad Members:
Current Members
1. TVXQ Changmin
During SM The Ballad's hiatus, Changmin continues his activities as a TVXQ member. In 2020, he also debuted as a solo artist with "Chocolate," his first solo album in 16 years.
On December 8, Max will release his second mini-album in Japan, "Human."
2. Super Junior Yesung
Yesung is still active as a Super Junior member, but he also focused on his solo career as well. Last May, he just dropped his fourth EP, "Beautiful Night" with seven tracks.
3. SNSD Taeyeon
When SNSD went into a hiatus in 2017, Taeyeon debuted in a sub-unit of the idol group "Oh! GG" in 2018.
Since then, she pursued her soloist journey, and this year, Taeyeon has had three releases so far, including her digital release, "Weekend," and two featuring songs, Taemin's "If I Could Tell You," and Key's "I Hate that..."
4. Zhou Mi (Super Junior-M)
After SM The Ballad, Zhou Mi focused on his career both in Korea and China as a singer and entertainment personality. In 2020, he even collaborated with WayV Kun and Xiaojun on the single, "I'll be there," a tribute for covid frontliners.
5. EXO Chen
Chen is also still a member of the ballad group; however, he is currently serving in the military. Prior to his enlistment on October 26 last year, he released his digital single, "Hello" first on October 16.
ALSO READ: Best Korean Male Idol Vocalists From SM Entertainment
Former Members
6. Jay Kim (TRAX)
Also known as Typhoon, Jay Kim, after SM The Ballad, focused on his acting career and appeared in numerous Korean dramas. His last project was in 2019, wherein he played the role of Lee Kang Joon of tvN's "Touch Your Heart."
7. Super Junior Kyuhyun
When Kyuhyun left the group, Kyuhyun consistently proves that he's still one of the best vocalists from SM through his group and solo albums. In July, he dropped his third single, "Together" for the Project: 季.
8. PENTAGON Jinho
When Jinho left SM Entertainment in 2015 as a trainee, he transferred to Cube Entertainment. In the following year, Jino, hereinafter, Jinho debuted as a member of the K-pop group Pentagon.
9. Zhang Liyin
Although she continued her career in Korea until 2017, Zhang Liying decided to go back to China once her contract with SM expired.
In 2020, she signed with Beijing S.W. Culture Media to pursue her career as an artist.
10. SHINee Jonghyun
Following SM The Ballad, Jonghyun set on his career as a solo artist and debuted with his first EP "Base" in 2015.
In 2017, he left the word due to depression. However, Jonghyun's masterpieces remained and were continuously loved by music fans.
In 2018, he released an album, "Poet|Artist," and became the fourth soloist to debut in Billboard 200 at No. 177.
11. f(x) Krystal
Lastly, Krystal left SM Entertainment in 2020, and f(x) went into an indefinite hiatus. As a result, Krystal focused on her career as an actress under her new agency, H&Entertainment. In 2021, she starred in the K-Drama, "Police University" and will also star in a new drama, "Crazy Love" in 2022.
READ MORE: Where Are the YOUNIQUE Members Now? A Look Into SM's 'Avengers' Before SuperM
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Written by Eunice Dawson
