BoA leaves SM after 25 years — and one emotional video makes fans feel like an era just ended

BoA / Captured from BoA's YouTube channel

When BoA walked away from SM Entertainment after a quarter century, many K-pop fans felt it wasn’t just a contract ending — it was the closing of an entire era. One final tribute video has turned that feeling into something deeply emotional.

On Monday, BoA’s YouTube channel uploaded a farewell video titled “You still our No.1 BoA,” marking her last official release under SM Entertainment. The description reads, “We sincerely support every moment of BoA, who will forever shine as our No. 1,” a message that immediately set off waves of nostalgia across social media.

The video opens with footage from BoA’s teenage debut, when she said, “I waited and worked so hard for three years just to be able to greet you like this. I think it’s finally time to show you everything about me. From now on, I’ll work even harder and start my activities in earnest.” From there, it traces her journey through awards, overseas breakthroughs and historic performances, all set to the song “Clockwise.”

BoA / Captured from BoA's YouTube channel

A clip from an old interview plays over the montage, with BoA saying, “From debut to my first rookie award, starting in Japan, winning grand prizes and even holding guerrilla concerts — it feels like we’ve made so many memories together.” It closes with her saying, “Thank you so much. Please remember me. I love you.”

As “Someday” plays, the screen fades to the message, “The one and only star who has been a dream to so many for 25 years. We sincerely support every moment of BoA, who will forever shine as our No. 1.”

BoA / Captured from BoA's YouTube channel

Online reactions were immediate and emotional. Many fans said the video made the separation feel painfully real.

“Seeing baby BoA again makes me tear up … BoA leaving SM doesn’t mean she disappears, but it still feels strangely lonely,” one wrote. “There was a time when BoA was SM. Now this day has actually come,” another said. “It really feels like a whole era is fading away,” a third added.

Others echoed similar feelings: “Five minutes and 49 seconds isn’t enough to capture her career,” “BoA without SM is strange, but SM without BoA feels even stranger,” and “I’m not even a hardcore fan, but ‘still our No. 1’ made me emotional.”

SM Entertainment confirmed Monday that BoA’s exclusive contract officially ended on Dec. 31, concluding their 25-year partnership. The agency said, “After long and deep discussions, we agreed to conclude our 25-year journey together. BoA, who debuted in 2000 at the age of 13, is an icon of K-pop’s overseas expansion and the ‘Star of Asia.’ It was a great honor for us to walk alongside her brilliant path.”

BoA, who also served as an internal director at SM, shared her own farewell that day, saying, “As much as we gave to each other, I leave without regrets. I’m grateful for the time we shared, and I will continue to support SM Entertainment as it shines. Thank you.”

For many fans, the end of BoA’s SM era is not just a business decision — it is the symbolic closing of one of K-pop’s most defining chapters.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.