[instiz] SEEING THIS MAKES SM LOOK LIKE A CULT

September 8, 2026

“In 2012, SM announced the birth of a nation for the first time in K-Pop. Fans from over 30 countries around the world attended the nation proclamation ceremony held during the SM Town World Tour in Seoul and were presented with ‘SM Town passports’.”

“The declaration of SM Town as a virtual nation in 2012 is a monumental event in the history of K-Pop. At the time, critical views, such as dismissing it as a “cult-like group” or “noise marketing”, were more prevalent; however, SM’s ambitious roar to unite fans worldwide through the power of music has ultimately become a reality in 2026. Notably, fans who attended the declaration ceremony were given pink “passports” to prove their citizenship of SM Town, and the purpose of these passports is intriguing. Possessing a passport allows you to have an original SM stamp affixed at SM Entertainment’s concerts and events held around the world. I still consider it groundbreaking that the experience of collecting passport stamps through actual immigration procedures, which many travelers go through, has been extended to include the experience of K-Pop concerts.”

Are they for real

1. They’ve always gone for that “vibe”…

2. Their concept is getting so severe

3. Is that during the Lee Sooman Illuminati conspiracy days?

4. Wow I remember not thinking much of it at that time and actually being quite proud of it ㅋㅋ

5. I still remember that, I felt like it was just a concept ㅋㅋㅋ

6. This wasn’t a joke? Something like the world view that their idols have

7. I was there onsite, and even I was wondering what on earth was happening

8. I thought it was so dumbfoundingly funny

9. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ SMTown passport

10. They’re still pushing this kind of concept right now