Zhoumi Becomes CEO of SM x TME Company for the China Market

Kapanlagi.com - Zhoumi Super Junior M has officially been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of STE, the joint venture between SM Entertainment and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) based in Beijing, China. This move was announced by SM on August 27, 2026, and is part of a strategy to strengthen its presence in the Chinese entertainment market through new idol projects and artist management.

“We established the joint company STE with TME in Beijing, China, and appointed Zhoumi, who has been active as a member of the China unit of Super Junior, Super Junior-M, as the CEO,” wrote SM.

STE was formed to develop the entertainment ecosystem in China in a more structured way, from talent scouting to managing artist activities at the local level. The company is prepared to carry out several strategic projects in the near future.

1. STE Established in Beijing, A Collaboration Between SM and TME

Zhoumi from Super Junior M has officially been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of STE. / instagram.com/zhouzhoumi419

STE is the result of a collaboration between SM Entertainment and TME that began with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in May 2026. After the preparation phase, this joint venture is now officially established in Beijing and ready to operate.

This collaboration is designed to build a collaborative working system in the Chinese entertainment industry. With TME as a local partner, STE is positioned as SM's primary vehicle to deepen its footprint in the local market.

The scope of STE's work includes the audition and casting process for artists, the development of new idol projects, and local management for Chinese artists under SM's umbrella. The focus is to ensure that every stage, from pre-debut to promotion, is managed according to the characteristics of the Chinese market.

2. Zhoumi Becomes CEO, Brings Experience from Super Junior-M

Zhoumi's appointment as the CEO marks the first time an SM artist leads a cross-border joint venture within the SM ecosystem. This decision places Zhoumi in a strategic role at the forefront of market development in China.

For nearly two decades, Zhoumi has been active as a member of Super Junior-M as well as a solo artist. This experience has given him an understanding of the K-pop production and promotion system from both creative and operational perspectives.

His extensive experience in the industry is a key asset for leading STE. Zhoumi's knowledge of market dynamics and production processes is expected to strengthen the execution of the company's new projects.

3. STE's Plan: Auditions, Debut of a Chinese Group, and Local Management

In the early stages, STE aims to debut a new idol group from China within the next two to three years. This plan begins with an audition and casting process designed to find talent that meets market needs.

After the debut, STE will fully handle local management, including the management of activities and promotions in China. The goal is to ensure a more localized strategy so that the work programs run effectively.

In addition to new projects, STE will also manage activities in the China region for existing SM artists, namely Renjun (NCT DREAM) as well as Yangyang and Xiaojun (WayV). This handling is focused on making their promotions more targeted in the local market.

"I am happy to lead this joint venture born from the strong trust and strategic vision of SM and TME," he said as reported by Newsen.

"I will fully integrate SM's strengths in IP and content production with the characteristics of the Chinese market to deliver unique content, as well as create meaningful achievements as a bridge between the two companies."

(kpl/jje)