SM Entertainment’s orchestral project, SM CLASSICS LIVE, made its Singapore debut with a breathtaking evening that redefined how K-pop can be experienced. As the world’s first K-pop orchestra concert, the production brought beloved SM Entertainment hits to life through the grandeur of a full orchestra, creating a musical journey that felt both familiar and entirely new.
More than a simple orchestral adaptation, SM CLASSICS LIVE showcased how classical music and contemporary K-pop can coexist harmoniously. Drawing inspiration from centuries of classical composition while preserving the identity of the original songs, each arrangement invited audiences to rediscover tracks they thought they knew by heart.
From the moment the orchestra took the stage, audiences were transported into a musical fairyland. Every piece retained the spirit of its original version while unveiling fresh layers of emotion, depth, and storytelling that only a live orchestra could deliver.
One of the evening’s earliest highlights came through BoA’s heartfelt ballad Tree. Beginning as a delicate piano solo, the arrangement gradually blossomed into a sweeping symphony as horns and clarinets entered the conversation before the strings joined in unison. The result was both intimate and grand, demonstrating the remarkable power of orchestral reinterpretation.
The mood quickly shifted with aespa’s Black Mamba. Reimagined with dramatic orchestral textures and cinematic intensity, the arrangement felt as though it had leapt straight out of a high-stakes spy thriller. Powerful brass sections and dynamic percussion transformed the futuristic hit into a thrilling orchestral spectacle.
EXO’s Growl proved equally captivating. Opening with a playful nod to Beethoven before evolving into the song’s unmistakable melody, the arrangement featured exhilarating musical climbs and dramatic tension that kept audiences fully engaged. According to the conductor, Thanapol Setabrahmana, it was one of the most enjoyable pieces in the programme to perform — and the orchestra’s enthusiasm was evident throughout.
Red Velvet’s Feel My Rhythm, a song already known for its classical influences, found a natural home within the classics’ concept. The orchestral arrangement amplified its elegance, seamlessly weaving together classical motifs and modern pop sensibilities.
NCT DREAM’s Hello Future showcased one of the evening’s most imaginative reinterpretations. Rich orchestral colours, including harp and woodwind passages, transformed the uplifting anthem into a vibrant celebration of hope and possibility while highlighting the song’s underlying classical influences.
TVXQ’s legendary Rising Sun arrived with a commanding presence, its dramatic opening setting the stage for an epic arrangement that demonstrated the orchestra’s versatility and power. The piece captured the scale and intensity that made the original such an enduring classic.
The evening reached another emotional peak with the arrival of special guest vocalist, WENDY from Red Velvet. Stepping onto the stage to warm applause, WENDY showcased the vocal prowess that has made her one of K-pop’s most beloved vocalists.
Accompanied by the orchestra, she delivered stirring performances of Like Water, When This Rain Stops, and Queen of the Party. Stripped of their original pop production and elevated by the richness of a live orchestra, each song revealed new emotional textures. The sweeping strings and delicate piano arrangements beautifully complemented Wendy’s expressive vocals, allowing the audience to experience her music through an entirely different lens.
Particularly memorable were the quieter moments where WENDY’s voice effortlessly filled the Esplanade Hall before blossoming into powerful crescendos alongside the orchestra. The synergy between vocalist and musicians perfectly embodied the spirit of SM CLASSICS LIVE — a meeting point between K-pop and timeless orchestral artistry.
The celebration of SM Entertainment’s musical legacy continued with SHINee’s iconic Sherlock, whose theatrical arrangement highlighted the orchestra’s precision and flair. NCT’s Golden Age followed, delivering a majestic and expansive soundscape that further demonstrated the limitless possibilities of orchestral K-pop.
As the concert approached its finale, Girls’ Generation’s Into The New World brought a wave of nostalgia across the venue. Opening with a classical introduction before building into the familiar anthem, the performance reminded audiences why the song remains such an icon of the era.
Following an enthusiastic response from the crowd, WENDY returned for a special encore before the orchestra launched into a medley celebrating SM Entertainment’s remarkable musical legacy spanning three decades. The evening ultimately concluded with Beethoven’s timeless Ode to Joy, a fitting finale for a concert built on breaking musical boundaries.
Just as Beethoven expanded the possibilities of the symphony in his time, SM CLASSICS LIVE challenged convention by reimagining K-pop through the lens of a full orchestra. In doing so, it demonstrated how music can continually evolve while preserving the spirit that makes it resonate across generations.
For one unforgettable evening in Singapore, audiences experienced a new definition of sound — where centuries of orchestral tradition met three decades of K-pop history, proving that great music transcends genre, era and expectation.
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