Originally known as KD Media, it was established in December 1998 as a spin-off of the lottery business of the publishing division of Seoul Shinmun, as it was formerly a company specialized in the printing and supplying markets.

It had also established a one-stop system such as planning, purchasing copyrights, production, and distribution in relation to DVD business.

[13] On January 10, 2022, SM Life Design announced that the company held a shareholders' meeting to appoint Tak Young-jun, a chief marketing officer (CMO) of SM Entertainment,[a] was appointed as an inside director in the company and took the position of CEO through a resolution of the board of directors.

With its restructuring of the business sector and suspension of drama production, SM Life Design Group instead acquired a 100% stake in Beacon Holdings, Tomatillo Korea, and MOA L&B International.

[16] All names listed are adapted from SM Life Design Group's drama business page of its official website.