SM stars ready to say 'aloha' Hawaii

(From top) Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and EXO

By Ko Dong-hwan

An army of K-pop stars is heading to Hawaii in late August to bask in the sun, eat, swim and have fun.

SM Entertainment, which houses bands and soloists including Girls’ Generation, EXO, Super Junior, SHINee, f(x) and BoA, said Tuesday it will take the stars and other employees to the American island state for a vacation. The group of 350 will travel there in a private jet to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary.

“Since the trip has been planned to celebrate the company’s legacy, most of the company’s crew will participate,” a spokesman said, according to Star News. He said planning started early this year.

Company founder and CEO Lee Soo-man will lead the trip and several hotels will be used.

Because of the trip, the SM performers will not participate in one of the nation’s biggest sports competitions for K-pop stars, “Idol Star Athletics Championships,” hosted by MBC. Filming will start before the Chuseok holidays ― the Korean version of Thanksgiving Day ― in September.

Netizens expressed awe at the trip’s size, mostly because SM rented a private jet.