All eyes are on singer BoA as she reaches a major crossroads in her career with SM Entertainment.
BoA’s exclusive contract with SM officially expires today, December 31, 2025, an end to a partnership that has lasted 25 years. As of now, SM and the singer herself have not released any official statement regarding a contract renewal.
In April 2024, the 39-year-old idol openly acknowledged the approaching end of her contract on social media. At the time, she wrote, “My contract runs until December 31, 2025,” and further shared, “Until then, I’ll be truly happy and do my best as singer BoA.”
Around the same period, she deleted all of her social media posts amid struggles with malicious online comments. During that time, she also posted a message asking, “Now that my contract is ending, I guess I can retire, right?”
BoA debuted under SM Entertainment in August 2000 at just 13 years old after being selected by SM founder Lee Soo Man. She quickly became one of the most influential figures who defined an entire era of K-pop. Songs like “No. 1,” “Valenti,” “My Name,” and later “Girls on Top” turned her into a household name.
In 2002, she made history by becoming the first Korean artist to top Japan’s Oricon charts. After that, she received the title of “Star of Asia” and expanded the Korean Wave across Asia at a time when K-pop had little presence overseas.
Over the years, BoA’s role at SM grew beyond her work as a performer. In 2014, she was appointed as a non-executive director of the company. She also served as a producer for the rookie boy group NCT WISH, which debuted in 2024.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty about her contract, she stayed extremely active throughout 2025. She celebrated her 25th debut anniversary by releasing her 11th full-length album, Crazier, and successfully holding solo concerts in Seoul. She also continued promoting in Japan, releasing new music and completing a tour.
More recently, many have expressed disbelief, saying they cannot imagine SM Entertainment without BoA. Others say they support whatever decision she makes, especially as many long-time artists have departed the company in recent years.