^In 2016, Zhou Mi established a personal agency for his activities in China.
^Although Kangin has departed from Super Junior, he remains with SM.[2]
^S.E.S. briefly reunited in 2016 under SM Entertainment in celebration of their twentieth debut anniversary (in Korean reckoning), releasing a special album Remember the following year, 2017.
^In 2003, SM Entertainment's five-year contract with Shinhwa ended, allowing the band to either sign another contract or switch labels. Lee Soo-man, the head of SM Entertainment, only wanted to re-sign five of the group's six members. Eric Mun, as the group's leader, made the decision that they wanted to stick together with all six members. Thus, the band rejected the offer and switched over to Good Entertainment, which had been founded that same year. The shift sparked controversy when Lee denied their request to continue using the name Shinhwa. The dispute was eventually taken to court, where Shinhwa won, allowing them to hold the rights to their name.
^M.I.L.K. were formed under SM Entertainment's sister label, BM Entertainment, in 2001. They disbanded when Bae Yu-mi left the group in 2003. Seo Hyun-jin remained at SM as an actress until 2007. Now each member has gone off to do their own individual projects such as acting, singing, MCing, VJing, and modeling.
^Sugar were formed under SM Entertainment's sister label, Star World, in 2001. They disbanded when Park So-jin left the group in 2006. Ayumi Lee moved to SM Entertainment in 2007. In 2008, Ayumi Lee later signed with Avex to pursue a music career in Japan. The group's members have since gone on to pursure their own individual careers in acting, singing, MCing, VJing, and modeling.
^After Isak N Jiyeon disbanded in 2004, Jiyeon took the stage name of Lina and became a member of The Grace, formed in 2005. Isak became a VJ and radio DJ for Arirang.
^In 2009, Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu filed an injunction against SM Entertainment, subsequently leaving TVXQ. In 2010, the trio formed JYJ.
^While Ginjo stayed with SM Entertainment, the remaining original members Jay and Jungmo left the agency and discontinued the use of the group name.
^Attack's departure was never formally announced by SM Entertainment, leaving his window of departure unknown.
^The Grace already stopped their activities since 2011 and with the departure of Stephanie, Dana, and Sunday from SM Entertainment, rendering the group impossible to promote.
^Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Kyuhyun left SM Entertainment in July 2023, but still remain members of Super Junior.
^Hangeng left Super Junior in 2009 after filing for contract termination.
^Kibum temporarily left Super Junior in 2009 to pursue an acting career. In August 2015, it was announced that he had officially parted ways with SM Entertainment.
^Jessica Jung was allegedly removed from the group in September 2014. In August 2015, it was announced that she had officially parted ways with SM Entertainment.
^Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun left SM Entertainment in October 2017, but still remain members of Girls' Generation.
^Sunny left SM Entertainment in August 2023, but still remains a member of Girls' Generation.
^All members have left SM Entertainment, rendering the group impossible to promote.
^Sulli originally debuted as an actress in 2005 and later started music activities as a member of f(x) before departing in 2015 to resume her acting career. She died on October 14, 2019.
^Kris filed a lawsuit against SM to terminate his contract on May 15, 2014, resulting in his departure from EXO. A negotiation was made that his exclusive contract with SM would remain in effect until 2022 as a soloist.
^Luhan filed a lawsuit against SM to terminate his contract on October 10, 2014, resulting in his departure from EXO. A negotiation was made that his exclusive contract with SM would remain in effect until 2022 as a soloist.
^Tao filed a lawsuit against SM to terminate his contract on August 24, 2015, resulting in his departure from EXO. A negotiation was made that his exclusive contract with SM would remain in effect until 2022 as a soloist.
^Lay announced on April 8, 2022 that his contract with SM ended but that he'll remain an EXO member.
^Despite his departure from SM, D.O is still a member of EXO.
^Jeong, Bit (December 7, 2022). "'SM 신예' 김지우, '열아홉 해달들' 합류...연기 활동 본격 시작" ['SM rookie' Kim Ji-woo joins 'Nineteen Sea Otters'... Beginning of acting career] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ye-eun (December 9, 2022). "SM루키즈 출신 라미, SM 소속 배우 데뷔...아이돌 아닌 연기자로 [엑's 이슈]" [Rami, from SM Rookies, debuts as an actor under SM...As an actor, not an idol [X's issue]] (in Korean). X-port News. Retrieved December 9, 2022 – via Naver.
