Even when you’re not an SM-stan and just a regular K-Pop fan, high chances are that you
have at least once heard about the thing called “SM-style genealogy” when it comes to the visuals
of the company’s artists. Especially for their girl groups, the elegant, noble and super chic
vibe has always been vividly seen from gen1 to gen3 through memorable names like Eugene,
Yoona, Krystal, Irene, Joy. That also explains why even when Kep1er’s Chaehyun left the company
and said that she was an ex-trainee from the company on Girls Planet 999, people weren’t so
surprised because her visuals alone had already partially told everyone about her origin.
While the solid idea about the “SM-style genealogy” long embedded in everyone’s mind
brings a huge pride and reputation to SM’s artists, it also backfires at the company
because when aespa debuted, the act was made fun of a lot
just because people think they fell way behind such an genealogy.
Because the visual of aespa is an outlier from the company’s genealogy, mostly because they
are the only act hoping on the girl-crush trend of K-Pop, netizens have constantly
compared them to other companies’ groups to find the face that fits the SM-style better.
1. Wonyoung & Yujin
While some may think that Wonyoung and Yujin have just been explosively famous recently
thanks to their group’s addictive hit and the investment of Starship Entertainment
onto their individual promotion, the duo has actually been famous even very long before that
thanks to the visual that fit into the SM-style genealogy way better than the members of aespa.
Back when aespa had just made another comeback with Next Level and some members’ visual drew
attention as they looked so different compared to the debut era, netizens started to bring aespa’s
appearance on the scale with Wonyoung and Yujin’s, saying that it’s kinda weird to see how idols from
other companies could fit into the SM-style way better than SM’s latest act themselves.
Talking about Wonyoung, netizens believed not only her visual but also aura makes her the perfect
SM artist were she not working under Starship Entertainment. Compared to the trademark sweet,
noble presence of all visuals from gen1 to 3 of SM, Wonyoung is said to check all the
boxes
Not only that, the princess vibe vibrantly present in Wonyoung’s ways of doing everything,
from performing, talking, to even just walking, also reminded them of SM’s vibe
Even when Wonyoung was just a little girl in IZ*ONE, many netizens have said that they were
shook to see how much she fit into the SM-mold. Put things in a funnier way, a netizen said that
had female idols’ value were like stocks, she would definitely buy Wonyoung at the very first
sight because just like how most SM’s idols would gain more reputation visual-wise as time passed,
Wonyoung’s fame about her visual would only increase over time.
Besides Wonyoung, Yujin was also believed to have bear a strong similarity to many
previous idols in SM Entertainment. Of course, it sounds kinda weird because Yujin’s visual
doesn’t have much in common with Wonyoung but if you look at the SM-style genealogy,
which actually consists of two visual types: elegant like Yoona and chic like Krystal,
you will see Yujin fits to the standard as she has a neat and high-fashion look to her face.
The contrast in Yujin and Wonyoung’s visual can see best when they stand next to each
other like this and while Wonyoung stands out with her sparkling, princess look,
Yujin garners lots of attention thanks to her chic and posh aura.
2. Jisoo
Apparently Jisoo will appear on this list because if her name was ever not here,
the list would always be incomplete.
On many forums where people opened topics like “Who female idols from other agencies that fit
into the SM-style genealogy?,” of sorts, Jisoo was always put on top of the list because of the
staggering between her visuals and the standard of SM. With the fair complexion, heart-shaped lips,
it is no doubt that people will expect a visual like her under an SM’s act rather than YG’s.
Moreover, because she also emits a warm, bright, and elegant aura rather than the swaggy and badass
vibe of YG Entertainment, many were confused to see such an element in an act of YG.
In fact, when Jisoo had just debuted, she used to be constantly said to be the younger version
of S.E.S’s Eugene—aka the most beautiful idol of gen1, because of their staggering similarities.
Especially when they smile, the resemblances even stood out more vividly
because they both have the sharp heart-shaped lips,
same type of long, V-shaped facial structure and extremely sweet smile.
That’s also why among many nicknames like “Chu,” “Chichuu” and “Jisoo turtle rabbit
Kim,” people and the media sometimes also call her the “YG idol with an SM face.”
The most interesting thing is that, not only fans but Jisoo and SM Entertainment themselves
were also well aware of how her visual fit perfectly into the company’s genealogy
because according to her words when appearing on MBC’s Radio Star with Rosé in 2017,
SM’s manager had tried at almost all costs to scout her. Because this person even took the
risk to reveal his identity as a staff member from SM Entertainment just to get her on board,
Jisoo also had to pull out the YG trainee card to turn down that insistent invitation.
3. RED SQUARE’s Green
Surprisingly, the world is unbelievably round as somehow in 2020, RED SQUARE debuted and K-Pop then
welcomed another stunning visual matching perfectly into the SM’s genealogy—Green.
What’s even more mind-blowing is that, she doesn’t simply fit in the company’s standard
for the elegant visual and the noble aura but also for the fact that she shares a huge
resemblance to both Jisoo and Eugene. That’s why despite coming from an extremely small company,
Green still manages to garner a fair amount of
attention thanks to the staggering similarities with her 2 seniors, making her the doppelganger
of the two top visuals with a face gathering all the best traits: V-shaped jawline, smiling
eyes and most notably, the sharp heart-shaped lips that are quite not so commonly seen among people.
Also for that, many believed had Green debuted under SM Entertainment, she would have a way
more thriving career and down the road, there are also high chances that she would bag home
a high-end fashion brand ambassador contract and a glittering acting career like Jisoo.
4. woo!ah’s Nana
Looking at the way that female idols of the later generations are and will be picked,
it’s hard to deny that the SM-style genealogy has had a huge impact on the general criteria
because besides Green, Nana is also a gen4 idol that is chosen to take on the group’s visual role
and also garners lots of attention thanks to the staggering resemblance to Irene’s visual.
With the typical bunny face that SM Entertainment has been loving, a super-duper small face, tiny
nose complimented well by the big double-lidded eyes, the SM’s vibe Nana carries is so strong that
back in June 2021, she made headlines everywhere for as pretty as the visual goddess Irene.
Especially when Nana had a see-through bang and smiled brightly in the group’s
cover of Red Velvet’s Power Up, people couldn’t help but exclaim her visuals
and how she made the whole thing look as if it was Irene performing the song.
However, do you know what’s the most interesting thing about this staggering resemblance?
After netizens found out about Nana’s visuals through those headlines and videos,
they started to literally rummage everything about her on the Internet
and ended up becoming a solid fan. People also found out that not only her visual but also
her aura and vocal color also fit well into the SM’s standard because just like Irene, her voice
is bright enough to sing cute songs but also low enough to carry all the rap verses of the group.
Do you think these idols really possess the typical SM face? Are there any other names you
wanna add to the list? Comment down below to share your thoughts with us. Also, don’t forget to like,
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