A "Big 3" entertainment agency in South Korea, SM Entertainment is a talent empire that embodies its current acronym - "Star Museum." This record company has been the home of many Korean popular music brilliants, such as H.O.T., S.E.S., and Shinhwa.

Aside from being known for their artists' out-of-this-world vocal ranges, a report shows SM Entertainment has popularized a formula for music videos. This box format is argued to be a building block in defining the visuals of K-pop music videos.

In a nutshell, "the box" is an easily noticeable technique of filming music videos in "similar-looking enclosed spaces." A location from an "empty apartment" could quickly transform into an "explosion of geometric lights." Among the music videos produced by SM Entertainment that highly personified these stunts are NCT U's "The 7th Sense" and "Without You."

Supplementarily, reports have added that this visual trick is an allegory of how SM is trying to navigate content development and technology inclination.

Talking about music videos, a handful of SM idols were seen in SM music videos before they formally debuted in their respective groups! Their cameos range from as simple as a camera glance to as complex as acting immersion.

5 SM Idols Featured in SM Music Videos Prior To Their Debut

1. NCT/WayV Winwin Appeared in NCT U "Without U"

Before joining NCT 127 on July 10, 2016, the Chinese lead dancer, sub-vocal, and sub-rapper of NCT was featured in NCT U's debut music video "WITHOUT U". Unlike the other NCT member's cameos, Winwin enjoyed quality exposure in this music video.

When SM Entertainment dropped the Korean music video version, the agency also announced that Winwin and fellow Chinese member, Kun, were the new additions to the NCT roster.

2. NCT Jungwoo in "Paper Umbrella" by Super Junior Yesung

Prior debuting with the BOSS unit of NCT U, Jungwoo appeared in Yesung's ballad song, titled "Paper Umbrella." Although Jungwoo was seen running and enjoying the rain pours with a girl, the song conveys how an individual is trying to remember the delicate recollections with a past lover.

When he debuted with NCT, fans recalled the music video and complimented how Jungwoo effortlessly depicted his character.

3. f(x) Victoria Featured in "Replay" by SHINee (Korean version)

SHINee's debut music video "Replay" featured the Chinese leader, main dancer, and lead rapper of f(x), Victoria. As the song's storyline follows how the boys fell in love with a noona, we could say that Victoria is a perfect fit for the heroine role as she is really a NOONA for SHINee's members.

In 2013, Victoria got the opportunity again to work with the boys of SHINee through a magazine photoshoot, from which she commented how the members have grown from being "cute" to "matured" men. However, in 2019, Victoria announced that she would not renew her contract with SM Entertainment.

4. Red Velvet Yeri Cameo in "Happiness" by Red Velvet

Unlike the previously mentioned names, Yeri's cameo in Red Velvet's debut track "Happiness" was limited as she was merely shown in the beginning part of the music video. With Yeri's addition to Red Velvet in 2015 in Ice Cream Cake era, fans cannot help but reminisce about the group's debut music video.

REVELUVS commented that Yeri was added late to the group since she was very young when Red Velvet debuted in 2014. Also, some cited that Yeri is yet to finish school on the scheduled debut of Red Velvet, thus leading the company to decide to debut her a year after.

5. SNSD Yoona Showed in "U" by Super Junior

The "U" music video by Super Junior primarily featured the group's dance performance, but the music video's storyline was completed with SNSD's Yoona's appearance. With her role in the music video, YoonA proved that even before debuting as an idol, her visuals were already insane. Indeed, Yoona showed what Korean beauty is, even without enjoying the idol label yet.

On January 5, 2022, Super Junior's remastered version of "U" was released.

Were you able to spot these SM idols on the said music videos? Don't be shy and comment those below.

KpopStarz owns this article.
Written by Sophia Carson.