SM Entertainment has announced disappointing news for fans ahead of this weekend’s SMTOWN LIVE 2025 concert in Los Angeles: NCT WISH, one of the agency’s newest and most promising groups, will not be taking the stage due to unresolved visa issues.
In an official statement released on May 9 (local time), the agency expressed regret and offered a thorough explanation regarding the group’s unexpected absence.
According to SM Entertainment, they had taken all necessary steps to secure visas for the members of NCT WISH, including submitting the required documentation and completing the appropriate interviews.
However, despite following standard procedures and timelines, a delay in the visa approval process ultimately prevented the group from receiving their travel clearance in time.
SM’s statement emphasized that the precise reason for the delay is still unknown and beyond their control. “Despite our best efforts,” the agency explained, “the visas were ultimately not issued in time.”
The tone of the message conveyed deep disappointment and understanding for fans who had been eagerly anticipating the group’s U.S. performance debut.
For NCT WISH, this was meant to be a landmark moment. As the latest unit to debut under the expansive NCT brand, the group has been gaining attention for its youthful energy and polished stage presence.
Their appearance at SMTOWN LIVE in Los Angeles would have marked one of their first major international performances—potentially exposing them to a broader global fanbase and solidifying their position in the next wave of K-pop.
Instead, the group will remain absent from a lineup that includes other SM powerhouses such as EXO, Red Velvet, aespa, and NCT’s other sub-units.
Though the exact number of fans traveling to the event solely for NCT WISH is unknown, the disappointment has been palpable across social media, where hashtags related to the group’s withdrawal began trending shortly after the announcement.
Still, SM Entertainment has pledged to make it up to fans, promising that NCT WISH will return with even more powerful performances in the future.
They thanked fans for their continued support and apologized for the last-minute change, reinforcing their commitment to better preparations and stronger performances ahead.
While this setback may delay NCT WISH’s U.S. debut, it has also sparked a wave of sympathy and encouragement from fans worldwide—many of whom are now eagerly awaiting the group’s eventual appearance on international stages.
