(C) Tiền Phong

SEOUL – BoA, the legendary "Queen of K-pop" and "Star of Asia," is officially leaving SM Entertainment after a historic 25-year journey.

On January 12, 2026, SM Entertainment announced that their exclusive contract with the artist concluded as of December 31, 2025. The decision came after extensive and deep discussions between the agency and the singer.

A Pioneer of the Hallyu Wave BoA made her debut in 2000 at the age of 13. Over the past quarter-century, she has been a pivotal figure in the global expansion of Korean music, breaking records in Japan and across Asia. She is widely regarded as the icon who paved the way for future generations of K-pop idols to enter international markets.

SM’s Final Farewell In an official statement, SM Entertainment expressed deep gratitude toward their longest-standing star:

"BoA has been the pride and symbol of SM for 25 years. Her journey as a pioneer was fueled by her relentless passion and effort, resulting in unrivaled achievements in the history of Korean music."
The agency added, "It was a true honor for us to accompany her from her extraordinary debut to her growth as a top-tier artist and producer. While our formal contract has ended, we will continue to cheer for her as she embarks on new challenges and continues to shine as the 'Star of Asia'."

What’s Next? Fans around the world are closely watching BoA’s next move. Having evolved from a teen idol to a respected singer-songwriter and producer, the industry expects her to continue her influential career under a new path or perhaps her own independent label.