Lee Soo-man Starts Trainee Recruitment for “Idol Launching Weight” in Korea

As reported by Maeil Business Star Today on October 10th, Lee Soo-man is currently on a mission to recruit talented idol trainees and producers from all over the nation. Although this effort isn’t part of a widely publicized audition process, sources indicate that Lee Soo-man’s team is diligently searching for promising male and female trainees. Notably, one of the identified trainees comes from Gyeongsangnam-do, diverging from the typical focus on the Seoul region.

Earlier this year, Lee Soo-man secured the trademark for “A2O Entertainment” via his own company, Blooming Grace. The registration of this trademark, which encompasses various entertainment and media-related activities, has sparked speculation about his potential return as a producer. Many industry insiders now believe that Lee Soo-man is gearing up to unveil a new idol group, thanks to his latest recruitment initiatives. However, there remains a chance that this new group may emerge under a different management rather than directly under his established banner.

After selling his shares in SM Entertainment to HYBE in February of last year, Lee Soo-man agreed to a non-compete clause, which prohibits him from engaging in domestic music production for a duration of three years. With roughly 1 year and 4 months of this clause still in effect, Lee Soo-man appears to be strategically preparing for his re-entry into the entertainment scene.

Moreover, reports indicate that Lee Soo-man intends to recruit a fresh batch of producers to work alongside Yoo Young-jin, a longtime partner from his days at SM Entertainment. He is expected to source these producers via EKKO Music Rights, a publishing firm he founded in 2015 under the Culture Technology Group Asia. It has been confirmed that he possesses a workspace located in a building in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

In June, Lee Soo-man was seen engaging with a group of boys in China, who are thought to be idol trainees, igniting curiosity regarding his upcoming plans. Recently, a media outlet focused on the Korean Wave in the U.S. reported that Lee Soo-man was spotted walking in Shanghai alongside Sunny and Yoo Young-jin, further fueling speculation about his future projects. Lee Soo-man has also made several appearances at various forums throughout Korea, ensuring he remains a visible figure in the industry.

The industry is keenly observing the developments that Lee Soo-man and Yoo Young-jin, two iconic figures from SM Entertainment, will bring forth in this evolving landscape.

Source: Naver

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