SM Entertainment Square

History

On October 28, 2020, the Los Angeles City Council officially named the corner of 6th Street and Oxford Avenue in Koreatown as SM Entertainment Square. This designation honored SM Entertainment and its founder, Lee Soo-man, for their role in shaping the global music market and leading the K-pop industry, as well as for advancing Korean culture in Los Angeles. It was the first time a Korean entertainment company had received such an honor. The square was envisioned as a hub to promote Korean culture and lifestyle, especially with the planned opening of SM’s entertainment complex, SMT LA, nearby.

Consul General Park Gyeong-jae expressed hope that the square would help transform Los Angeles from a film and cultural capital into a center for Korean entertainment, fostering K-pop and Hallyu worldwide. He also anticipated it would become a gathering place for young people from across the globe. City Councilman Herb Wesson praised SM and Lee Soo-man for their innovative contributions to music and for bringing K-pop to an international audience. On April 28, 2022, signage was installed at the intersection, featuring a statement that describes Lee Soo-man as a pioneer of the Korean Wave and a global K-phenomenon.