Following Kakao's acquisition of SM Entertainment, media outlets and fans predicted artists that will most likely stay or move out of the company.

On March 16, an expected list of SM Entertainment's artists who will most likely remain or leave the company has been released by the Korean media outlet, Insight.

The next step of artists under the company is especially drawing attention after Kakao successfully acquired the management rights from SM, while HYBE decided to partner with both entertainment agencies.

With the launch of the era of SM 3.0 that guarantees independence and autonomy, such a big change is drawing attention to whether SM artists will remain or leave.

Artists Who Will Probably Leave SM Entertainment: Kangta, BoA, SNSD Sunny, More

According to K-pop enthusiasts, media outlets and netters, Kangta, BoA and Girls' Generation Sunny were some of the idols who are expected to leave, due to their loyalty to Lee Soo Man.

In particular, Kangta and BoA who were some of the oldest idols from the company have built a unique relationship with Lee Soo Man, even earning his trust to make them non-registered SM directors.

Sunny, who is the nephew of Lee Soo Man is also expected to part ways with the agency.

Aside from the aforementioned senior idols, Kim Min Jong, one of the first ones to defend Lee Soo Man when infighting happened will surely consider leaving as well, along with Yoo Young Jin. These two are some of the pillars of the company.

Idols Who Will Most Likely Stay in SM Entertainment: TVXQ, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, More

On the other hand, artists with a high probability of remaining in the company are expected to be TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, aespa, Girls' Generation YoonA, Yuri, Taeyeon, and Hyoyeon.

Starting with TVXQ, the second-gen group is a team that is virtually impossible to predict in its future. This is because they both have shown strong faith in Lee Soo Man and SM. In this regard, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin who have a close relationship are expected to stay or move out together to continue as a duo.

Although Super Junior members were also close to Lee Soo Man, the group worked with SM's current CEO Tak Young Joon for a long time, building a solid relationship. Also, the group is signed under Label SJ, a sub-label of SM, thus, they are expected to stay.

SHINee is also expected to stay at SM. Although Key expressed some anxiety over the management dispute, it is widely believed that the team will stick together.

EXO and Red Velvet will also not leave, according to fans, as they don't have a reason to part ways with the agency now amid their respective comeback preparations as a full group.

Meanwhile, SNSD members except Sunny are likely to remain in SM, because they can only actively continue their group activities while in SM, other than their respective individual careers.

Lastly, aespa and NCT, which are considered third and fourth-generation idols, are also likely to remain in SM. They are believed to be the core of SM 3.0, as well as the soon-to-debut groups and artists this 2023.

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson.