Lee Soo Man Launches A2O Entertainment Aiming to Cultivate Global Music Stars

Lee Soo Man Makes a Comeback with A2O Entertainment

Lee Soo Man, the former chairman of SM Entertainment, is making a notable return to the music industry with his new venture, A2O Entertainment. His re-emergence follows a period of relative absence since selling his shares to HYBE in early 2022, during which he was subject to a non-compete clause.

Recruitment of Idol Trainees

As reported by Maeil Business Star Today on October 10, 2023, Lee is focused on identifying and recruiting idol trainees and producers from across South Korea. This effort, while not a large-scale audition, aims to discover talent from diverse backgrounds, including a promising trainee from Gyeongnam, a region outside of Seoul.

A2O Entertainment Trademark and Future Plans

Earlier this year, Lee Soo Man officially applied for the trademark “A2O Entertainment”via his private company, Blooming Grace. His strategy appears to center around debuting a new idol group, although there is also potential for collaborations with other entertainment companies.

Pending Non-Compete Clause

After the sale of his shares, Lee signed a non-compete agreement that prohibits him from producing music in South Korea for three years. With approximately one year and four months left in this waiting period, many speculate about the possibilities for his activities in the entertainment landscape.

Ambitions for Survival Shows in China

In a recent Chengdu interview, Lee expressed a desire to launch survival shows in China, aiming to cultivate enduring music stars rather than ephemeral groups. This aligns with his vision of creating talent that resonates deeply with audiences.

A2O Entertainment’s First Trainee Group

On October 25, 2023, A2O Entertainment shared a video via social media platforms like YouTube and Weibo, introducing a trainee collective known as “Rookies.”This group consists of 19 members—18 from China and one from Japan. The promotional material emphasized Lee’s involvement as a producer with the tagline “Produced by S.M. Lee.” Interestingly, A2O has opted to rebrand K-Pop terminology, dubbing their style “Zalpha-Pop,” which is geared toward the global Gen Z and Alpha generations.

Netizen Reactions and Concerns

Reactions from the online community have been mixed, with many viewers expressing concerns about Lee’s heavy focus on China. Some comments include:

“He’s finally realizing his China dream?”
“He really likes China.”
“It seems he’s still obsessed with his China dream. Just don’t debut these kids in Korea.”
“Wow, he seems to really like China.”
“Grandpa, just go live in China.”
“Alright, please make a lot of money in China.”

As Lee Soo Man embarks on this new journey with A2O Entertainment, the landscape of global pop music and its evolving audiences is sure to be a topic of significant interest.

Source: pann

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