Ever SM Town (Korean: 에버 에스엠타운; stylized as EVER SMTOWN) is a theme park space and content production project by SM Entertainment and Everland. The project was formed through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between SM and Everland. It opened on October 1, 2022, with the concept integrated into the theme park's major areas that incorporated SM Culture Universe (SMCU). Various SM artists' intellectual property (IP) was utilized for the artist-experience space throughout the amusement park.
Ever SM Town | |
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Everland | |
Name | 에버 에스엠타운 |
Status | Operating |
Opening date | October 1, 2022 |
Ride statistics | |
Attraction type |
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Theme | SM Culture Universe |
Developer |
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Website | Official website |
Development
editEverland, operated by Samsung C&T Resort Division, disclosed on September 21, 2022, that it would collaborate with SM Entertainment to introduce an artist experience space that combines SM's story.[1] SM and Everland previously signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the directing business using SM's artist intellectual property (IP) in August 2022.[2] The MOU comprises the "world's first experience content" that incorporates the "metaversal" origin story of SM Culture Universe (SMCU), presenting SM's core value and vision of future entertainment.[3] Additionally, the MOU contains the creation of theme park space and content production between the two parties.[4] Named as Ever SM Town Project, SM also announced through Twitter the launch at Everland, located in the city of Yongin in the Gyeonggi province, on October 14, the rolling out of "new experimental content" using IP of SM artists such as Exo, Red Velvet, NCT, and Aespa.[5]
The Ever SM Town was then launched on October 1, wherein diverse digital technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and video and photo zones will be combined into "major" areas of the theme park.[6] These major areas include rides in the theme park, such as the Hurricane, Bumper Car, Amazon Express, and Music Garden, introducing the universe of SM.[7] The bumper cars utilize the concept of NCT 127's fourth studio album, 2 Baddies, released on September 16, where members' names are wrapped around the amusement ride.[8] SM and Everland also released experience content using the IP rights of NCT Dream and Aespa, which started in October of the same year.[9] People would be able to come in contact with artists-experience space and the SM world in various forms while walking around the amusement park.[10]
Features
editReception
editSince Ever SM Town's announcement, it was revealed that the "instantaneous, simultaneous" access to the Everland official website broke its highest record.[13] The theme park also stated that the hashtag "Everland" appeared numerous times on Twitter's real-time trend.[14] About 1,000 people gathered at Kwangya@Everland on opening day, along with a long queue, and sold out the same-day sales within half a day.[15]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ Kim, Pyeong-hwa (September 21, 2022). 에버랜드, SM과 NCT·에스파 체험 공간 조성 [Everland, SM with NCT·Aespa Experience Space Created]. The Asia Business Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Jung-hyuk (September 21, 2022). [엔터비즈]SM, 에버랜드와 SMCU 결합한 공간 및 콘텐츠 연출 사업 MOU 체결…NCT 127 '질주' 콘셉트 범퍼카 선보여 [[Entertainment Biz] SM, Everland and SMCU have Signed an MOU for Space and Content Production Business…NCT 127's '2 Baddies' Concept Bumper Car]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ Han, Hae-sun (September 21, 2022). SM, 에버랜드에 '광야' 확장..NCT127 범퍼카 본다[공식] [SM, 'Kwangya' Expansion to Everland..See NCT127 Bumper Car [Official]]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ Kim, Soo-young (September 21, 2022). 에버랜드에 NCT 127 범퍼카 뜬다…SM과 컬래버 프로젝트 [NCT 127 Bumper Cars will Appear in Everland…A Collaboration Project with SM Collaboration Project]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ Chin, Carmen (September 21, 2022). "South Korean theme park announces collaboration with SM Entertainment on artist-themed attractions". NME. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Mi-young (September 21, 2022). "NCT 127 범퍼카"…SM·에버랜드, SMCU 결합 공간 등 MOU 체결 ["NCT 127 Bumper Car"…Signed MOU with SM·Everland, SMCU Space, etc.]. JoyNews24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ Shin, Min-hee (September 21, 2022). "Everland amusement park to collab with SM Entertainment for artist-themed attractions". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ Kim, Gun-woo (September 21, 2022). SM X 에버랜드, SMCU 결합한 공간 및 콘텐츠 연출 사업 MOU 체결 [SM X Everland, Has Signed an MOU on Space and Content Production Business Combined with SMCU]. MoneyToday (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Tae-soo (September 21, 2022). 에버랜드에 NCT 127 범퍼카…SM과 손잡고 공간·콘텐츠 연출 [NCT 127 Bumper Cars in Everland…Collaborate with SM to Create Space and Content]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ 에버랜드, SM엔터테인먼트 아티스트 체험 공간 조성 [Everland, To Create an Artist Experience Space for SM Entertainment]. News1 (in Korean). October 13, 2022. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ 에버랜드, SM엔터테인먼트 협업 아티스트 체험 공간 조성 [Everland, SM Entertainment Creates a Collaborative Artist Experience Space]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). October 13, 2022. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Da-hye (September 21, 2022). SM X 에버랜드, SMCU 결합한 '에버 에스엠타운' 프로젝트 추진 [SM X Everland, Promotes 'Ever SM Town' Project Combining SMCU]. AsiaToday (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Yu-na (October 20, 2022). SM·에버랜드 'EVER SMTOWN' 오픈...동시접속 최고 기록 [SM·Everland's 'EVER SMTOWN' Opening...Highest Concurrent Connection Record]. YTN Star (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ Kim, Gun-woo (October 20, 2022). SM X 에버랜드 'EVER SMTOWN' 개관 "SMCU 결합 체험 콘텐츠 화제" [SM X Everland's 'EVER SMTOWN' Opening "SMCU Combined Experience Content is a Hot Topic"]. MoneyToday (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ Kwon, Ik-do (October 20, 2022). SM엔터테인먼트, 에버랜드와 IP 연계 협업 사업 [SM Entertainment, IP-linked Collaboration Business with Everland]. NewsTomato (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.