SMORZ: The K-Pop Group Made of Hong Kongers

Photo: SMORZ Official X

More and more idol groups localized for different markets are debuting in the K-Pop industry. SM Entertainment’s Chinese boy group WayV, JYP Entertainment’s Japanese girl group NiziU, MLD Entertainment’s Filipino boy group HORI7ON, and HYBE’s Western-focused group KATSEYE all exist as examples of localized K-Pop groups. Hong Kong recently became the latest region to receive their own K-Pop group: SMORZ, a girl group with all Hong Kongers, made their debut on May 19. 

Charlott, Ginni, Lika, Viki, Zellda, and Hira introduced themselves with the release of their four-track English EP, ALWAYS SOME MORE. According to their Spotify profile, SMORZ stands for “S’more” and “Generation Z,” referencing their “sweet and warm connection with fans” and the trend-savvy nature of Gen Z. SMORZ is co-managed by Hong Kong-based Echo Entertainment and South Korea-based Number K Company.

“K-Pop-based Localization” in Hong Kong 

Echo Entertainment was founded by music producer dV7, who has previously contributed to music from FNC Entertainment artists such as P1Harmony and SF9. dV7 returned to his native Hong Kong in 2023 with the intent of creating a K-Pop girl group with “local talent.” “Our goal is to work with the local music industry and promote the growth of the K-pop genre in Hong Kong,” he said in a press release. “We believe that Hong Kong has a huge potential for K-pop-based localization, and we want to be a part of it.” Number K Company, primarily an Asian music publishing company, manages SMORZ’s activities in South Korea.  

While SMORZ is the first Hong Kong K-Pop group made with localization in mind, they come a decade after Cantopop girl group As One released their first and only Korean single, “Candy Ball.” A group that debuted in Hong Kong in 2012, As One briefly promoted a Korean version of “Candy Ball” on music shows but never released any more Korean songs. If “Candy Ball” sounds familiar to any third-generation girl group fans, the song comes from composers Iggy and Yongbae, known for creating GFRIEND’s early sound. Me&, a K-Pop-inspired Cantopop girl group that debuted in 2023, received training in Korea, but have not yet released songs in Korean or performed on Korean music shows.  

ALWAYS SOME MORE

SMORZ’s debut EP includes the title track “I want you to” and three B-sides. Composed by dV7, Victor Sågfors, and DAINASAURS, “I want you to” tells of feeling entranced by someone’s dance moves, and wanting to join them. Though this dance-pop song does not break any ground on its own, it showcases the members’ pleasing vocal tones. Its instrumental reminds me of TWICE’s “The Feels.” 

The rest of the songs on the EP delve into genres like hip-hop and R&B. Continuing from “I want you to,” ALWAYS SOME MORE follows the story of falling in love and then processing a breakup. “Love Drive” expresses deeper feelings of attraction, and both “Bleeding Heart” and “My Only Love” try to hold on to a relationship no longer there. 

Though I did not know what to expect from them initially, SMORZ impressed me. ALWAYS SOME MORE is an adequate debut EP accessible to many audiences. As someone with Hong Kong heritage, I am excited to see what a K-Pop group of idols from my culture can do in this industry. 

Edited by Clark Royandoyan