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SM Rookies 2022: Fans notice Japanese rapper Shohei in lineup, say 'he got the IT factor'

Eunseok, Shohei and Seunghan are introduced as SM Rookies 2022 with fans wondering if they are the new members of NCT

With SM Entertainment debuting some successful K-pop groups, fans are always excited to know about their future endeavours. And so, the label started announcing their trainees that would be debuting soon. The last time we were introduced to the new SM Rookies was in 2018 when SM revealed Yangyang, Xiaojun and Hendery who all went on to debut with NCT’s Chinese sub-unit WayV. While SM again added two new members Shotaro and Sungchan to NCT in 2020, it has been 4 years since we officially were introduced to the new SM Rookies. Well, the label announced the SM Rookies of 2022 in the most novel way.

On July 2, WWD Korea magazine dropped their photoshoot with the three latest trainees of SM. Dubbed SM Rookies 2022, we got Eunseok, Shohei and Seunghan. Fans were impressed with the way the label upgraded its announcements with the glamorous photoshoots of the boys sporting outfits by Celine, Louis Vuitton and Versace. We also got more details about them with Seunghan and Eunseok being Korean and Shohei being Japanese. Fans think that they are part of an NCT sub-unit with Sungchan and Shotaro. Others are guessing that Shohei will be part of the sub-unit NCT Tokyo with Shotaro and Yuta.

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Who are the SM Rookies 2022?

Seunghan is born in 2003 and has been introduced as a trainee with outstanding dance and vocal skills. Eunseok, who is born in 2001 is described as an attractive newcomer with a tall height and charming visuals. Shohei, who is the oldest of the trio being born in 1996 is a rapper and DJ. SM also shared that they have a colorful image and will have diverse activities that they will show off in the future.

However, one SM Rookie has caught everyone’s eye. Shohei Matsushima is actually a Japanese rapper and dancer who was active in 2017. He was part of J-pop group avex’s sub-unit BXB. The group disbanded in 2018. Fans also noticed that avex is one of the groups under Avex that has collaborated with the likes of YG and SM. The collaborative label was also home to Kep1er’s Japanese member Hikaru who is reported to join their J-pop girl group XG after her contract with Kep1er ends.

‘They're all visuals’

Fans are excited for the new trainees as they made tweets like, “Cousin shohei got the it factor yall gotta trust me on this one.” Another joked, “Will Sungtaro finally debut in a unit? Is this the NCT Japan unit?? We'll find out on the next episode of ‘Being an NCTzen’.” One wondered how 21-year-old Yangyang would react to Shohei, “Not brand new member Shohei debuting into NCT as part of the line that Yangyang considers as senior citizens.” One fan wrote, “Anyway, eunseok, shohei and seunghan has such actor like faces, they're all visuals."

Another shared, “SMROOKIES Eunseok, Shohei and Seunghan hasn't debuted yet and nctzens are changing is bio from nct ot23 to nct ot26 help.” An NCTzen couldn’t help but compare Eunseok to Doyoung’s brother Gong Myung, “Is it just me? but why do i saw gong myung in eunseok???” One added, “You know what…eunseok knows exactly what he there for and i can respect it.” Another NCTzen shared, “Eunseok is obviously the main slayer.”

A fan posted, “Seunghan has this major main vocal vibe idky.” Another wondered if he was the trainee introduced last year, “If Seunghan is really ‘S with Lucky’ he's gonna gag people with his deep ass voice.” One fan pointed out, “It'll be so funny if they're in new unit tho, there'll be two sho's, shotaro and shohei,, and seunghan and sungchan has similar first half of the name too.”